Kyle Anderson

Firefighters spray streams of water and foam on the pile of compressed cardboard which caught on fire Sunday afternoon. (Photo: Kyle Anderson/NAZ Today)

FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today) – A large stack of compacted cardboard boxes behind Wal-Mart caught fire at approximately 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon, closing McConnel Dr. between Beulah Blvd. and Woodlands Village Blvd.

The Flagstaff Fire Department issued a second alarm to request fire crews from Highlands and Summit Fire Departments to be available for other Flagstaff fire emergencies. Flagstaff firefighters then focused on controlling the fire and preventing spread to the nearby forest.

“Right now, we’re not exactly sure how this started,” said Mark Johnson, Information Officer for the Flagstaff Fire Department. “There don’t appear to be any heat sources in this area, so we’re looking at some other activity that may lead to suspicious activity.”

Wal-Mart and surrounding businesses remained open during the fire, and customers were not evacuated. There was no physical damage to any of the buildings, and no injuries were reported.

A red-flag warning was issued today, meaning a high risk for fires due to low humidity and fast wind speeds. Wildland firefighters worked to extinguish spot fires in the nearby forest caused by embers carried by the high winds.

Johnson said that trash fires like this one are uncommon in Flagstaff, but several fires of the same size occur each month.

“Think about the winds,” said Johnson. “We’re starting to get into wildfire season.”

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Video report with Mark Johnson, Flagstaff Fire Department

Additional Photos:

Feathers fly into the air as the pillow fight in Heritage Square begins. (Photo: Kyle Anderson/NAZ Today)

FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today) – An independently advertised pillow fight turned protest took place at Heritage Square in downtown Flagstaff Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. About 40 people participated.

The fight began as soon as a small group of people with a shopping cart modified with a loud stereo system, spray-painted cardboard and black flags arrived. Feathers exploded into the air several minutes into the fight, and Flagstaff police responded to a call to the scene moments later.

Soon after, Aaron Levy, a tall man wearing a black wig, stood on a bench and spoke for several minutes with a bullhorn, promoting anarchy and the support of RNC8, a group of Minneapolis-St. Paul residents who are facing felony conspiracy and terrorism charges for organizing against the 2008 Republican National Convention. Participants also wrote peace messages and symbols on the ground in chalk.

Police questioned Levy regarding the nature of the protest and how he was going to address the mess of feathers which had started to spread onto Aspen Ave. A total of four officers reported before the protest ended.

The protest had no organization sponsorship, and by the end of the fight, feathers still littered the south side of Heritage Square. Levy promised police he would organize the cleaning up of the feathers.

Charges of disorderly conduct are possible.

Additional photos:

Aaron Levy speaks from atop a bench after the fight.

A cart (right) equipped with a stereo plays loud music as participants fight.

Two participants unroll a political banner against a flower bed at Heritage Square.

Aaron Levy speaks atop a bench while two black flags are waved.

The two police officers who first reported to the scene question Levy.