Arizona fire forces evacuations, suspect arrested

A fire that broke out a few miles outside of Flagstaff, Arizona, on Sunday morning has expanded to more than 4,000 acres and led many to evacuate. 

The fire was first reported at around 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, about 6 miles north of Flagstaff. The fire rapidly grew from 40 to 50-mile-per-hour winds that spread it in all directions. 

According to fire officials, flames were “active on all sides.” Not long after, large plumes of smoke were visible in the sky from Flagstaff. 

Video: two fire whirls spun up along the leading edge of the Pipeline Fire in Flagstaff, AZ. #azwx #pipelinefire #fireweather #flagstaff @accuweather@WeatherNation@weatherchannel@FOX10Phoenix
@azfamily pic.twitter.com/rrakr2tGuj

— Cynthia Kobold (@severewxcin) June 12, 2022

Wildfire north of Flagstaff, Arizona. Called "Fire on the pipeline". USApic.twitter.com/lvg29cFiUA

— BRAVE SPIRIT (@Brave_spirit81) June 13, 2022

A suspect connected to the fire has been arrested. Court documents indicate that Matthew Riser, a homeless man camping at the Coconino National Forest, may have caused the fire by lighting toilet paper on fire after defecating in the forest. 

Riser was seen leaving the area in a white pickup truck soon after the fire started. 

"The driver, a 57-year-old male, was detained until Federal Law Enforcement Officers from the United States Forest Service arrived. The male was arrested by Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers and booked into the Coconino County Sheriff’s Detention Facility for Federal Natural Resource," the sheriff's office said.

Riser faces multiple charges, including using a fire, occupying forest service lands, and marijuana possession. 

NEW: Court docs say Matthew Riser is homeless and had been camping in the Coconino National Forest. Riser said he burned his “shit paper” the afternoon prior to Sunday’s #PipelineFire. He didn’t think it would smolder all night. #fox10phoenix https://t.co/GV8WA0Im7U pic.twitter.com/79YJJ7DHJ3

— ᴊᴜꜱᴛɪɴ ʟᴜᴍ | 林俊豪 (@jlumfox10) June 13, 2022

 Residents in the areas surrounding the Arizona Snowbowl were asked to evacuate by Coconino county officials. 

A Red Cross Shelter was opened at Sinagua Middle School at 3950 E Butler Avenue.