The Antelope Fire Burned Nearly 400 Acres Monday Off Highway 89 North Of Flagstaff

Another fire started north of Flagstaff Monday. The Antelope Fire burned 372 acres just off Highway 89 at Antelope Hills, eight miles north of Sunset Crater. Coconino National Forest officials say the wind-driven fire spread at a moderate rate through grass-type fuels. Two large air tankers dropped on the fire, which put a dent in advancement of the blaze. Many forest service crews attended to the fire. The fire was reported at around 1:09 p.m. and no structures were damaged or destroyed from the Antelope Fire. Shelly Smithson, owner of the Antelope Hill Trading Post says the fire “burned our fence line and one tree, but thank God for our friends who live on the property and our neighbors who helped me with hoses and shovels until Forest Service and Park Service tankers got here.” As for how it started, Smithson tells KAFF News, “it was caused by someone smoking who had pulled over on the side of the road.” She says the vehicle is a 1990s model GMC single cab pulling an older RV. If anyone has information into the vehicle in question, contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.