YOUNG, Az. – Fire officials got an aerial view today of the 11,950 Poco Fire northeast of Young, Arizona, and increased its containment to 80 percent.

“Smoke has dissipated from the town of Young, Payson, and the Mogollon Rim communities. We are still seeing smoldering in the center of the deep canyons within the Tonto National Forest,” says Incident Commander Trainee Andy Mandell, Central West Zone Interagency Type 3 Team.

All around the perimeter, the Fort Apache Interagency Hot Shot crew and Prescott National Forest Hot Shots gathered downed trees and limbs, feeding them into chippers to remove fuel. Much of this work takes place adjacent to Forest Road 512 (Young Road) which reopened today. “We are seeing residents traveling the road again and ranchers working cattle, so we’re asking our firefighters and the public to drive with considerable caution,” Mandell emphasizes. Water tenders and an air craft were released from the fire today; the Central West Zone Interagency Type 3 Team resources remaining on the fire consist of three engines and two hot shot crews, for a total of 100 personnel.

YOUNG, Az. – The Central West Zone Interagency Type 3 Team resources have completed rehabilitation tasks on the Poco Fire, northeast of Young, Arizona, including grading Forest Road 512 that connects travelers from the Payson area off of State Route 260 south to Young. Barring no new fire starts, FR 512 (Young Rd.) opens at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday.

“We have several fire engines and heavy equipment on scene, so we’re asking the public to drive slowly and carefully. Under no circumstances should travelers stop on the 512 to look at or walk into the fire zone,” urges Incident Commander Trainee Andy Mandell.

According to Mandell, the Poco Fire is contained at 75 percent. The Central West Zone Interagency Type 3 Team resources consists of four engines, two hot shot crews, air support, water tenders, and a dozer, for a total of 110 personnel.

If thunderstorms pass without lightning strikes or new fire starts, the Type 3 team will begin releasing a few firefighters on Wednesday, June 27, as containment of the Poco Fire increases. “Several firefighters will remain stationed at the Tonto National Forest, Pleasant Valley Ranger District, during this extreme fire danger period,” Mandell explains.

The Poco Fire has not exceeded 11,950 acres. At the height of the human-caused incident, 768 personnel were stationed in Young who traveled from Arizona, California, Indiana, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, and Wisconsin to protect central Arizona communities. Six community meetings were held within eight days in the towns of Young, Forest Lakes, Colcord, Heber, and Payson and two Fire Camp tours conducted. Five firefighters were injured; no structures were burned; estimated costs are $9 million.

Central West Zone Interagency Type 3 Team

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Pamela Mathis 602-402-7690
June 26, 2012 Public Contact: 928-462-4300

Forest Road 512 Opens after Poco Fire
Containment at 75%

YOUNG, Az. – The Central West Zone Interagency Type 3 Team resources have completed rehabilitation tasks on the Poco Fire, northeast of Young, Arizona, including grading Forest Road 512 that connects travelers from the Payson area off of State Route 260 south to Young. Barring no new fire starts, FR 512 (Young Rd.) opens at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday.
“We have several fire engines and heavy equipment on scene, so we’re asking the public to drive slowly and carefully. Under no circumstances should travelers stop on the 512 to look at or walk into the fire zone,” urges Incident Commander Trainee Andy Mandell.
According to Mandell, the Poco Fire is contained at 75 percent. The Central West Zone Interagency Type 3 Team resources consists of four engines, two hot shot crews, air support, water tenders, and a dozer, for a total of 110 personnel.
If thunderstorms pass without lightning strikes or new fire starts, the Type 3 team will begin releasing a few firefighters on Wednesday, June 27, as containment of the Poco Fire increases. “Several firefighters will remain stationed at the Tonto National Forest, Pleasant Valley Ranger District, during this extreme fire danger period,” Mandell explains.
The Poco Fire has not exceeded 11,950 acres. At the height of the human-caused incident, 768 personnel were stationed in Young who traveled from Arizona, California, Indiana, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, and Wisconsin to protect central Arizona communities. Six community meetings were held within eight days in the towns of Young, Forest Lakes, Colcord, Heber, and Payson and two Fire Camp tours conducted. Five firefighters were injured; no structures were burned; estimated costs are $9 million.
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Poco Fire information is posted at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2911. For more information regarding forest recreation sites and fire restrictions, please contact the Tonto National Forest at 602 225-5200, or check online at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.