FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The second wildfire to hit Flagstaff in two days spread Sunday to more than 4 square miles, driving residents from hundreds of homes just north of this forested city, creating a huge plume of smoke and prompting a search for missing hikers.
Also Sunday, evacuation orders for the first fire, in southeastern Flagstaff, were lifted after fire officials reported the blaze 30 percent contained. A man was arrested on suspicion of starting that fire by dumping coals from a campfire on the ground, said city spokeswoman Kimberly Ott.
Officials announced the news about the hikers and revised the number of evacuations for both wildfires at a news conference Sunday evening. They didn’t specify how many hikers were missing but said “two active searches” were underway.
Authorities also announced that a third wildfire was reported near Interstate 40 in western Flagstaff. The blaze was caused by a vehicle fire that spread into a wooded area, but there was no word on its size, officials said.
Ott said residents of hundreds of homes on 1,044 parcels just north of Flagstaff were being advised to leave because of the Shultz fire, which was reported Sunday morning and quickly charred 3,000 acres.
Four helicopters and 300 firefighters were battling the blaze, and more crews were on the way, Ott said. Eight air tankers were ordered but had been grounded because of wind.
Meanwhile, a California man was arrested on suspicion of starting the Hardy fire by leaving behind hot coals at a campsite in a wooded area about 2 miles from downtown Flagstaff.
Randall Wayne Nicholson, 54, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of burning of a wildland, Ott said.
Nicholson, whose hometown was not immediately available, was being held in lieu of $2,500 bail.
