Updates will be provided here on the Slate Fire.
From Coconino National Forest – June 9 at 9:45 a.m.:
- This morning’s Slate Fire update:
- Slate Fire grows to 2,000 acres; Highway 180 still closed in area
- FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., June 9, 2021 — The Coconino National Forest is still working to contain the Slate Fire, which is located along Highway 180 and has grown to 2,000 acres.
- The fire originated on June 7 approximately 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff on the west side of U.S. Highway 180, adjacent to the Kaibab National Forest. It is currently moving in a northeast direction.
- Portions of Highway 180 — from Cedar Ranch to Kendrick Park — will remain closed for the foreseeable future while crews work to contain the fire.
- About 150 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, including four Hotshot crews, one hand crew, eight engines, two water tenders, two dozers, one helicopter and miscellaneous overhead.
- Crews plan to spend Wednesday working to secure Cedar Ranch using indirect suppression strategies.
- Motorists should avoid Highway 180 north of Kendrick Park, and visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park should use Highway 64 from Williams in order to access the entrance to the Park.
- No structures are threatened at this time. Recreation sites in the area are closed, including the Red Mountain and Slate Mountain trailheads, Kendrick Cabin and a portion of the Arizona Trail from Kelly Tank (mile 603.3) and Cedar Ranch (mile 616.2).
- The fire was called in by a Coconino County Sheriff’s Officer at 3 a.m., and the cause is still under investigation.
- Details about the Slate Fire will be posted on InciWeb, as well as Facebook and Twitter.
- SLATE FIRE OVERVIEW:
- Discovery date: June 7, 2021.
- Cause: Under investigation.
- Origin location: Roughly 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff. (35.492, -111.847)
- Current size: 2,000 acres.
- Current resources: Five hand crews, eight engines, two water tenders, two dozers, one helicopter, miscellaneous overhead personnel. Total personnel: Approximately 150.
- Predicted smoke impacts: Around Highway 180 between Cedar Ranch and Kendrick Park.
- Current closures: Highway 180 from Cedar Ranch to Kendrick Park.
- Recent and current operations: Firefighters are using indirect suppression strategies including hand crews, engines and dozers to secure Cedar Ranch.
From Coconino National Forest – June 8 at 2:15 p.m.:
- Here’s the latest update on the #SlateFire, which is currently 1,400 acres and moving in a northeast direction.
- We have about 130 personnel at the site, including three Hotshot crews, one hand crew, seven engines, two water tenders, two dozers, one helicopter and miscellaneous overhead.
- More information: https://bit.ly/3gn9Nxc
From Arizona Trail Association – June 8 at 11:30 a.m.:
The Slate Fire has forced a closure of the Arizona Trail north of Flagstaff near Babbitt Ranch. In the interest of public safety, the northern half of AZT Passage 34 (San Francisco Peaks) is currently closed between Kelly Tank (mile 603.3) and Cedar Ranch (mile 616.2). Trail users are discouraged from visiting Passage 35 (Babbitt Ranch) in case the fire advances further north. The Slate Fire was first reported on June 7 and has grown to over 1,500 acres. It was likely human-caused, and is currently under investigation To learn more about the Slate Fire, visit the Inciweb page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7515/
From Grand Canyon National Park – June 8 at 8:42 a.m.:
- This morning Highway 180, north of Flagstaff is still closed. If traveling to or from the park today, use Highway 64 via Williams (South Entrance) or Highway 89 via Flagstaff (East Entrance). #SlateFire
From Coconino National Forest June 7, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.:
- McKinney Tank/Indian Flat is about 8 miles east of Slate Fire. Evacuation is unlikely at this point, but we should all be “Ready.” Register your cell phone for Coconino County Emergency Notification at https://coconino.az.gov/ready
From Coconino National Forest – June 7, 2021 at at 4:30 p.m.:
- Slate Fire located 23 miles NW of Flagstaff currently about 100 acres with as many personnel on scene working to suppress the wildfire. Cause is still unknown. More details at https://conta.cc/3coOlH7
From Coconino National Forest – June 7, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.:
- Hwy 180 north of Flagstaff is now closed due to #SlateFire. Alternate routes to Grand Canyon…. west via I-40/Hwy64 thru Williams or north via Hwy 89/Hwy64 thru Cameron.
From ADOT at 11:30 a.m.:
- ADOT PILOTING VEHICLES ON US 180 BECAUSE OF WILDFIRE: A new wildfire is burning near US 180 east of Grand Canyon Junction near mileposts 244 and 248. ADOT is piloting vehicles both ways between mileposts 241-248.
From the Coconino National Forest – June 7, 2021 at 8:48 a.m.:
- We now have three crews, six engines, various dozers, water tenders and miscellaneous overhead (roughly 100 personnel total) at the fire.
- There will be impacts to Highway 180 throughout the day and evening, and we advise the public to find alternate routes to the Grand Canyon.
From the Coconino National Forest – June 7, 2021 at 8:43 a.m.:
- Coconino National Forest fire crews are responding to 20-plus-acre Slate Fire about 15 miles north of Flagstaff near Hwy180 and border of the Kaibab National Forest.
- About 50 personnel, including 4 engines, 2 crews, water tender, dozer, have been dispatched to the fire.
- Traffic along Highway 180 may be affected.
- The fire was called in at about 4 a.m. and the cause is still under investigation.