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Investigation completed in 2022 Tunnel Fire

Investigators have completed their scrutiny of last year’s Tunnel Fire that destroyed 30 homes northeast of Flagstaff. 

The cause of the fire remains undetermined. Forest Service officials said the fire was first reported April 17, 2022, in a countryside neighborhood nine miles east of Flagstaff. 

They said firefighters responded immediately that day and extinguished quote all indications of the fire. The next morning, they found their control lines had held. Officials said they conducted a thorough grid search and extinguished all visible smoke sources and hotspots. 

The next morning 60 mile per hour winds and hot temperatures fell on the fire. The fire ultimately burned 19,060 acres and destroyed 54 buildings, including 30 homes.

Anyone with information about who started the fire is asked to contact the Coconino National Forest at 928-527-3600 or the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 928-774-4523, option 1. 

Fronteras Desk senior editor Michel Marizco is an award-winning investigative reporter based in Flagstaff.