Driver accused of starting Kirkland Fire in Yavapai County; 750 acres burned

YAVAPAI COUNTY, AZ (AZFamily) — A driver is accused of starting a wildfire that has scorched hundreds of acres and caused residents to be prepared to evacuate in Yavapai County.

On Friday, around 3 p.m., the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office was called to reports of a fast-spreading wildfire off Bagdad Road near Hillside and Yavapai communities.

YCSO deputies say a man crashed his truck into an embankment, which then blew out a tire. Instead of stopping, the man reportedly continued to drive home, and sparks from the metal rim grinding against the asphalt allegedly started multiple fires along the road.

Deputies say the man reportedly continued to drive home, and sparks from the metal rim grinding against the asphalt allegedly started multiple fires along the road.

The driver was arrested for DUI, reckless burning and endangerment.

The wildfire, now named the Kirkland Fire, has burned approximately 750 acres about 2.5 miles northeast of Hillside, east of Bagdad Road, and is 0% contained. Around 50 firefighters are battling the blaze.

About 50 firefighters are battling the flames.

On Saturday, fire officials put a “SET” status in place for residents and some ranches in the Kirkland area as the flames moved close to the town of Yava. County Road 96 and County Road 15 are also closed in both directions due to the fire.

Hot and dry conditions, along with high winds, continue to fuel the flames and challenge firefighters.

YCSO reminds residents to always pull over if their vehicle is damaged and not safe to operate, as well as to check their vehicle for any potential debris that could create sparks, such as dragging chains or a damaged wheel.

“If they’re dragging trailer chains, you know, check those and make sure they’re up so they’re not dragging on the ground,” said Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jack Mattox

According to the latest data from the Arizona Department of Forestry, 798 of the 917 wildfires Arizona has had so far this season were human-caused.

“Whether it’s intentional or negligent,” said Sgt. Mattox. “We have dry flammable materials all along the roadside. Grass, leaves, whatever it might be. Anything that’s gonna generate heat and sparks and so forth is a hazard.”

The current dry, hot, and windy weather conditions are creating challenges for firefighters working to stop the spread.

“Embers that are burning get lofted up into the smoke column and then land out ahead of the fire. So with strong winds and heavy burning conditions, you can get spotting quite a ways out in front of the fire,” said Bobbie Scopa, a retired fire chief who has decades of experience on the frontlines.

Scopa said another issue could be a scarcity of resources. The Kirkland Fire has to compete for crews and tools with all the other fires scorching around the state, including the Dragon Bravo fire at the Grand Canyon.

She said so many of the fires that crews respond to are totally preventable. “If it wasn’t for the public’s mishaps, often times stupidity, we wouldn’t have a job,” said Scopa.

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