MEDIA RELEASE (September 16, 2018 at 5:00 pm)

On September 15th  at 4:19 pm the Coconino County Sheriff's Office received a request for assistance from the United States Forests Service to assist with a Wild fire along Forest Service Road 300 at M.P. 10.

Sheriff's Deputies responded from  the Blue Ridge Substation and Flagstaff.  While in route Deputies learned the it was believed the fire started after a ATV crash that went off the 300 road , and over the edge of the rim , falling possibly up to 400 ft down the cliff face. .  Earlier in the day 4 individuals who had been out ATVing had been reported over due and were last seen in the area of the fire . 

At this time Forest Service is working a active Wild land fire n the area of the crash and on top of the rm , Approximately 10 acres in size.    Due to the fire,  it is still to dangerous for rescuers to access the site of the crash to identify the victims.  Forest Service Road 300 is closed in both directions from Mile Post 8 to Mile Post 11 while Fire Fighters attempt to contain the fire.  Aircraft in the area have been restricted to only air craft currently involved in the Fire suppression.

Fire Suppression and recovery efforts will continue throughout the evening and into Monday .  Once it is deemed safe , Rescuers and investigators to access the crash site  to begin recovery and continue the investigation.

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