This is the official press release sent to FlagScanner. We have not omitted or added anything to it:
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., July 21, 2023 – The Southwestern Region Law Enforcement & Investigation organization has completed the investigation of the origin and cause of the Tunnel Fire which began mid-April 2022. The investigation identified the specific origin area and excluded many cause determinations, but the cause of the fire was undetermined.
Law enforcement encourages anyone who may have information regarding who started the Tunnel Fire to contact the Coconino National Forest at 928-527-3600 or Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 928-774-4523, option 1.
The Tunnel Fire was originally reported late afternoon Sunday, April 17, 2022, approximately 9 miles northeast of Flagstaff, adjacent to the Timberline/Fernwood community.
Firefighters responded to the fire immediately on April 17 and extinguished all indications of the fire on the day it was reported. Firefighters returned the following morning (Monday, April 18) and found that all control lines held. They continued checking for hot spots and by 3:18 p.m. had completed a thorough grid search and extinguished any areas producing smoke or otherwise hot. All visible smoke and hot spots were extinguished prior to firefighters leaving the area.
By early morning Tuesday, April 19, a combination of strong winds upwards of 60 mph and warm conditions occurred over the fire area. Due to the extremely high winds, firefighters were unable to suppress the fast-moving fire.
In total, out of 1,335 structures that were threatened, 30 residences and 24 outbuildings were lost to the fire that grew to 19,060 acres before being 100% contained on June 1, 2022. No lives were lost.
