Photo Chad Walker

KINGMAN – Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson has declared a County Emergency until further notice as a result of the Flag Fire in the Hualapai Mountains. 

The Flag Fire started yesterday afternoon between the Flag Mine and Wild Cow campground, and evacuation of Pine Lake, the park itself and the Hualapai Mountain Lodge have occurred.  The Red Cross is handling evacuees at the Palo Christi Elementary School in Kingman. Only a few have taken advantage of the shelter. Residents of the communities of Atherton Acres and Pinion Pine are on standby status for evacuation if necessary.

Authorities emphasize that NO donations or volunteers are needed at this time. 

As of noon today, more than 1,000 acres have been consumed by the fire.  Multiple fire and air units are on scene. There have been a number of air drops so far as the blaze is being fought.

About 200 homes in the community of Pine Lake have been evacuated due to a wildfire burning in the Hualapai mountains about 11 miles southeast of Kingman. Hualapai Mountain Park and the nearby resort are closed the Hualapai Mountain road is closed at mile marker 10 to all but first responders and evacuees.

Strong wind Sunday out of the south and southwest gusting at 20 to 30 mph pushed the blaze to the north. As of Sunday evening, the blaze was moving north towards the footprint of the Dean Fire that burned more than 5,000 acres in 2013, and south of the Ridge Fire that burned more than 3,000 acres in 2020. There is a chance for showers this morning in the fire area, which may help contain the fire.

For more information on Arizona’s Ready-Set-Go program, visit: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go