The suspected cause is a campfire left unattended, and the United States Forest Service is offering a $2500 reward for information.

[1] The Schultz Fire began at 11:09 a.m. June 20 north of Flagstaff[2] and grew rapidly due to high winds, requiring the Coconino County sheriff to close U.S. 89 and evacuate 748 homes, an animal shelter, Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument.

300 firefighters responded, including personnel from the U.S. Forest Service and a Type One Incident Management Team, sent to events of "national significance".

[2][6] By June 25 the fire was 40 percent contained, largely due to backfires which created a great deal of smoke in Flagstaff.

Forests such as aspen could grow quickly, but cutting down burned trees or adding hay would be other techniques to use to stabilize slopes.