Michel Marizco/KJZZ

In this June 12, 2022, photo, the Pipeline Fire burned 40 square miles of the Coconino National Forest northeast of Flagstaff.

Last year’s Pipeline Fire led to erosion of the city of Flagstaff’s 13-mile-long infrastructure that runs spring water to the city’s distribution system. 

Officials estimate three different breaks of the water pipeline spilled 2 million to 4 million gallons a day or about enough to fill five Olympic-sized pools. 

The fire itself burned 30,000 acres but didn’t damage the pipe. Wildfire flooding and erosion in 2022 and this year damaged the pipe and the access road.

Crews are pausing further repairs in the area for the winter and plan to start again in the spring.

The city and the Forest Service expect to complete the inner basin repairs by 2025.