Wildfire at Camp Navajo Burns Near Unexploded Artillery Rounds

Wildfire at Camp Navajo Poses Unique Challenges Due to Unexploded Ordnance

A wildfire at Camp Navajo, located west of Flagstaff, Arizona, presents an unusual danger as it burns through an area containing remnants of unexploded artillery. The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) has confirmed that the fire, which began last week, is affecting a region that houses artillery rounds disposed of in the late 1980s.

The unexploded ordnance includes materials used for battlefield obscuration, such as smoke grenades, which were originally intended to conceal troops and equipment. Major Erin Hannigan from the Arizona National Guard and DEMA reported that the fire might cause these rounds to ignite, which could result in smoke or noise. However, she reassured the public that there is no immediate threat, stating, “There is no risk to the general public from these activities, and the fire remains confined through firebreaks and back burning control techniques.”

The blaze, known as the Patriot Fire, was ignited on Friday, likely by a lightning strike in a wooded section of the base. Efforts to manage the fire are being led by Camp Navajo personnel, with DEMA noting that firefighters had achieved 85% containment by Sunday, halting the fire’s advance. As of Monday evening, the wildfire had expanded to approximately 1,200 acres.

Residents in the surrounding areas, including Flagstaff, observed a significant smoke plume on Sunday and Monday, with smoke settling overnight in various communities. The fire’s onset coincided with training exercises being conducted by Oklahoma National Guard and Army Reserve units at Camp Navajo. These units were instrumental in the initial wildfire response, taking “swift action to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading.”

For further updates and details, visit the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs website.