Drone Crash Ignites Wildfire in National Forest

More than 300 acres were left scorched after a drone caught fire in Arizona’s Coconino National Forest.

Plumes of smoke billowed over highway 180 near Flagstaff, Ariz., on Monday as a wildfire consumed 335 acres within Cococino National Forest.

According to the Coconino National Forest Service, 30 firefighters corralled the flames, preventing it from spreading. But the ignition source caused further concern. The Forest Service said a “personal drone” caught fire after landing. Investigators have not released the name of the drone’s manufacturer.

Drone Sparks Kendrick Park Fire

According to the Arizona Emergency Information Network, the drone crashed southeast of Kendrick Park sometime before 12:35 p.m. on March 6.

The report said firefighters from the Coconino National Forest and Summit Fire crews responded. They successfully backburned around Chapel of the Holy Dove, protecting the tourist site from damaging heat and flames.

By 5:30 p.m., crews reported they had completely contained the fire.

Coconino National Forest covers more than 1.8 million acres in central Arizona. Teddy Roosevelt established the park in 1908. He consolidated the San Francisco Mountains National Forest with parts of Black Mesa and Tonto National Forests, and all of the Grand Canyon National Forest south and east of the Colorado River.

It’s hailed as one of the most diverse landscapes of all national forests. It contains red rock canyons, desert, alpine tundra, pine forest, rivers, and lakes.