HAPPY JACK, Ariz., May 1, 2018, For Immediate Release — Forest Service investigators were able to access the point of origin of the Tinder Fire and have found the cause to be an abandoned illegal campfire during Stage I Fire Restrictions.
The fire was reported by the Moqui Tower lookout on April 27 at 11:43 a.m. and began near Forest Road 95, approximately 1.5 miles east of C.C. Cragin Reservoir. It quickly spread to the bottom of East Clear Creek Canyon, and strong southwest winds drove the fire in a northeast direction up the canyon and towards private property and residents located about 3 miles away.
“Any time we enter restrictions or have even closed the forest, we still continue to find abandoned and illegal campfires,” said Andy Pederson, Forest Service patrol captain for northern Arizona. “This shows extreme lack of care for public safety and our natural resources when people would have an illegal campfire, much less abandon an illegal campfire.”
Finding the person responsible for this illegal campfire will be difficult, as witnesses in the forest are often nonexistent, but Forest Service Law Enforcement & Investigations are continuing to investigate this case and are hopeful for progress.
If anyone was in the area of Forest Road 95 near the origin of the Tinder Fire on April 27 and has information that could help this investigation, please contact Forest Service Law Enforcement at (928) 527-3511.
The Tinder Fire is currently over 11,400 acres with zero percent containment and more than 550 personnel working to control and extinguish the wildfire.

4/29/18 – Particulate matter is a component of smoke from wildfires and consists of fine particles such as soot and ash that can reach deep into the lungs and may contain irritating and toxic compounds. Some of the symptoms related to exposure to smoke from wildfires include:

Eye, nose, mouth and/or throat irritation;
Coughing;
Trouble breathing;
Tightness of the chest;
and/or The onset of symptoms related to pre-existing respiratory ailments like asthma or emphysema.

If smoke from wildfires is affecting you and your family consider some of the following actions:

If you smell smoke and/or are beginning to experience symptoms, consider temporarily locating to another area as long as it is safe for you to do so.
Move indoors and stay there with doors and windows closed.
Run the air conditioning, the fan feature on your home heating system with the heat turned off.
The filtration systems on home systems can provide some benefit.
Run room air filtration units.
Reduce your physical activity level. Do not exercise.
If symptoms persist or become more severe, please contact your primary health care provider – even persons considered healthy can experience symptoms when exposed to smoke from wildfires!

These population groups considered especially at risk from exposure to smoke from wildfires:

Elderly persons;
Young children (especially children 7 and under);
Individuals with pre-existing health conditions like asthma, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease;
and Individuals with respiratory infections like colds or flu.

The Type I Southwest Area Incident Management Team will assume command of operations related to the Tinder Fire, located just east of C.C. Cragin Reservoir (aka Blue Ridge Reservoir), at 6 p.m. today.

Media & Public Inquiries
All public information and media inquiries regarding the Tinder Fire will now be handled by the incident management team from this time forward:
• Online Fire Incident Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5763/
• Media & Public Information Phone Line: 928-792-1666 (this number will be active after 6 p.m. tonight and then be answered during regular business hours)
• Tinder Fire Public Information Email: TinderFireInfo@gmail.com
• Tinder Fire Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/TinderFireInfo
• Tinder Fire Twitter: www.twitter.com/TinderFireInfo
Updates from the incident management team will also be mirrored on Coconino National Forest’s public website and social media.

Community Meeting Tonight
Local community members are invited to attend a meeting tonight where the incident management team will provide an update and answer any questions the public may have.
• Where & When: Starlight Pines Community Center, southeast side of state Route 87 at approximately milepost 305.7 (Google map link) at 6 p.m.