Photos: Wildfires in Arizona, 2022
Most, though not all, notable wildfires in Arizona in 2022.
Contreras Fire, Kitt Peak National Observatory, 2022
View from the Nicholas U. Mayall 4-meter Telescope showing the Contreras Fire burning near the summit of Kitt Peak on Thursday 16 June 2022.Â
The Contreras Fire began on June 11, 2022, sparked by a lightning strike in the Baboquivari Mountains. Over two weeks, it spread to 29,482 acres.
The fire burned into Kitt Peak National Observatory. No telescope domes burned, but three support buildings — a dorm, a cabin and a small shed behind the observatory’s fire barn — were destroyed.
Pipeline Fire, Arizona, 2022, fire
The Pipeline Fire burns behind the radio towers on Mt. Elden north of Flagstaff, Arizona, on June 11, 2022. The human-caused fire burned more than 26,000 acres of forest at the base of the San Francisco Peaks.
Foster Fire, 2022
The Foster Fire started on May 29 in the Peloncillo Mountains, Douglas Ranger District, Coronado National Forest in the southeast corner of Arizona. It is burning into New Mexico. It quickly ballooned to more than 10,000 acres, driven by wind and stoked by dry fuels. Air attack is being used to slow the fire as firefighters on the ground work on containment.
Elgin Bridge Fire, 2022
The Elgin Bridge Fire on May 23, 2022. The wind-driven fire quickly grew to 4,000 acres, plowing through heavy grass. It burned into the Mustang Mountains northeast of Elgin.
San Rafael Fire, 2022
The San Rafael Fire started Saturday 22 miles southeast of Patagonia in the San Rafael State Natural Area on May 7. The following day, it exploded to 10,000 acres, driven by high winds and dry conditions. One structure was lost, but firefighters save the historic San Rafael ranch house, which dates to 1898. The fire was fully contained at 11,620 acres.
San Rafael Fire, 2022
The San Rafael Fire burns behind a home near Canelo, Ariz., the northern edge of the fire which started near the U.S.-Mexico border on May 7.
Tunnel Fire, Flagstaff, 2022
The Tunnel Fire burns through Sunset Crater National Monument northeast of Flagstaff, Ariz., as seen from O'Leary Fire Lookout on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. Driven by wind, the fire rapidly expanded to 6,000 acres, forcing evacuation of hundreds of homes. About two dozen structures were burned. The fire burned through Sunset Crater National Monument.
Tunnel Fire, Flagstaff, 2022
Smoke from the Tunnel Fire fills the sky in Doney Park, outside Flagstaff, Ariz., on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The wildfire doubled in size overnight after tearing through two-dozen structures and forcing the evacuation of more than 700 homes. The fast-moving wildfire on the outskirts of Flagstaff ballooned from over 9 square miles Tuesday evening to 26 square miles.
Saginaw Fire, Bisbee, 2022
A fire burns several homes in the Saginaw subdivision west of Bisbee on April 22, 2022.
Crooks Fire, 2022
The Crooks Fire began on April 18, 2022 about 10 miles south of the Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District near Mt. Union. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the Crooks Fires at 6:00 pm on April 20. The fire was at 3,914 acres as of April 25.
Crooks Fire, 2022
The Crooks Fire began on April 18, 2022 about 10 miles south of the Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District near Mt. Union. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the Crooks Fires at 6:00 pm on April 20. The fire was at 3,914 acres as of April 25.
Old Bisbee Fire, 2022
The Old Bisbee Fire in Bisbee, Ariz., on April The Old Bisbee Fire in Bisbee, Ariz., on April 19, 2022.The Old Bisbee Fire was reported on April 18. It forced the closure of US Highway 80 and came close to homes. At last report, it was 13 careers.
Old Bisbee Fire, 2022
The Old Bisbee Fire in Bisbee, Ariz., on April The Old Bisbee Fire in Bisbee, Ariz., on April 19, 2022.The Old Bisbee Fire was reported on April 18. It forced the closure of US Highway 80 and came close to homes. At last report, it was 13 careers.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
A shelter has been set up at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.