While several agencies participated in a Wildland Fire Drill in northern Arizona Saturday, they had a chance at some real time experience when four small fires ignited in the area.
According to Coconino National Forest spokeswoman Karen Malis-Clark, three of the fires were in the Flagstaff area and one near the Mogollon Rim.
All four fires were said to be an acre or less in size and were brought under control. Most were believed to be human-caused, according to Malis-Clark.
While the fires were small, there was concern that high winds and dry conditions could cause them to spread quickly.
The annual training exercise simulated initial, multi-agency response to a wildland fire in the Munds Park/Pinewood area south of Flagstaff.
It began at 8 a.m. and part of the drill planned to test the county emergency notification system.
Ready! Coconino is a phone-based emergency notification system that allows operators to send recorded emergency information to a high volume of citizens simultaneously.
