Tinder Fire: 41 structures damaged or destroyed; residents return Friday

• Fire website will be updated with re-entry and recovery plans.
• As of Thursday, the Tinder Fire had burned 12,286 acres and was 12 percent contained.

The Tinder Fire "destroyed or heavily damaged" 41 structures, including 29 homes, in northern Arizona, Coconino County officials have confirmed. 

Assessments are ongoing, and teams are working to determine how many of the buildings burned were primary homes and how many were secondary residences, said Jon Paxton, a sheriff's office spokesman. 

He clarified an inaccurate update to the county's newly established recovery website that said 41 homes had been destroyed or heavily damaged. The figures are the first clear indication of the 12,000-acre fire's Sunday wind-driven tear through the Blue Ridge area north of Payson. 

“I don’t think we’ve ever had that much devastation or structure damage," Paxton said in a phone interview. "Ever.”

As of Thursday night, the Tinder Fire had burned 12,286 acres and was 48 percent contained — up from just 12 percent a day earlier. 

Emergency officials said they have been making contact with each affected property owner, who will need to get an entry pass from a check-in location. That document will allow them access to their community when evacuation orders begin to be lifted Friday morning. 

Residents whose homes have been damaged or destroyed will be allowed into the community at 8 a.m. Friday, the sheriff's office said during a community meeting late Thursday. At noon, residents on the east side of Highway 87 will be allowed in, and those on the west side will be allowed in at 2 p.m.

All roadblocks will be lifted at 7 p.m. Friday for the general public. 

"The building you called home may be gone, but your community is with you to help
you recover and rebuild," officials wrote in a statement to residents. "We extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family, and we want you to know that we are committed to assuring you have access to the services and support you need."

An illegal and unattended campfire sparked the blaze on Friday. But it wasn't until high winds fanned it northeast of C.C. Cragin (Blue Ridge) Reservoir on Sunday that its destruction really began. 

The U.S. Forest Service acknowledged it will be difficult to determine who is responsible for the fire. Still, they are asking anyone in the area of Forest Road 95 near the reservoir from the weekend who has information to contact investigators at 928-527-3511.

Ruptured propane tanks, downed trees and power lines and burned hazardous materials remain problems, officials said. That coupled with spotty cellphone service and destroyed landline infrastructure hindered how quickly evacuees could return home. 

With the "staged re-entry," residents will be allowed to gradually return before the area is opened up to the public and those whose homes were not damaged.  

"It supports those homeowners before it's opened up to the general public," said Wendy Smith-Reeve, deputy director and emergency management director for the Arizona Department of Military and Emergency Affairs during a Tuesday meeting with elected officials. "We need to give them time to process and do that in private. Because it’s a very emotional time, especially when they first see their home site.”

Additional recovery and clean-up details will be posted to the recovery website, coconino.az.gov/tinderfirerecovery. Residents with evacuation, structure or re-entry questions can call the Coconino County Sheriff's Office at 928-213-2990 or 928-679-8393.

Light rain and snow fell across the area mid-week, helping the nearly 700 fire personnel gain ground, strengthen fire lines and begin mop-up operations.  

The weather reprieve will short-lived.

A rapid warm-up is forecast across Arizona going into the weekend, bringing with it low humidity, high winds and the chance for increased fire activity. 

Reach the reporter at 602-444-8515, jpohl@azcentral.com or on Twitter: @pohl_jason.