A driver faces accusations of igniting a wildfire that burned through hundreds of acres and prompted evacuation preparations for Yavapai County residents.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a rapidly spreading wildfire near Bagdad Road, close to the Hillside and Yavapai communities, around 3 p.m. on Friday.
According to YCSO deputies, a man crashed his truck into an embankment, causing a tire to blow out. Rather than pulling over, the man allegedly drove home while his metal rim scraped against the asphalt, creating sparks that reportedly ignited several fires along the roadway.
Authorities arrested the driver on charges of DUI, reckless burning, and endangerment.
Officials have designated the wildfire as the Kirkland Fire, which consumed approximately 923 acres located about 2.5 miles northeast of Hillside, east of Bagdad Road, and achieved 35% containment as of Sunday, Aug. 3.
Approximately 50 firefighters are currently working to suppress the blaze.
Fire officials implemented a “SET” status on Saturday for residents and several ranches in the Kirkland area as flames approached the town of Yava. Officials lifted the “SET” status at 7:45 a.m. on Monday.
The fire also forced authorities to close County Road 96 and County Road 15 in both directions.
Hot, dry conditions combined with high winds continue to feed the flames and create obstacles for firefighters.
YCSO urges residents to pull over immediately if their vehicle sustains damage or becomes unsafe to operate, and to inspect their vehicles for potential debris that could generate sparks, including dragging chains or damaged wheels.
“If they’re dragging trailer chains, you know, check those and make sure they’re up so they’re not dragging on the ground,” said Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jack Mattox.
The latest data from the Arizona Department of Forestry reveals that humans caused 798 of the 917 wildfires Arizona has experienced so far this season.
“Whether it’s intentional or negligent,” said Sgt. Mattox. “We have dry flammable materials all along the roadside. Grass, leaves, whatever it might be. Anything that’s gonna generate heat and sparks and so forth is a hazard.”
The current dry, hot, and windy weather conditions present ongoing challenges for firefighters working to contain the spread.
“Embers that are burning get lofted up into the smoke column and then land out ahead of the fire. So with strong winds and heavy burning conditions, you can get spotting quite a ways out in front of the fire,” said Bobbie Scopa, a retired fire chief who has decades of experience on the frontlines.
Scopa explained that resource scarcity poses another potential issue. The Kirkland Fire must compete for crews and equipment with other fires burning throughout the state, including the Dragon Bravo fire at the Grand Canyon.
She noted that crews could prevent many of the fires they respond to. “If it wasn’t for the public’s mishaps, often times stupidity, we wouldn’t have a job,” said Scopa.