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.

WHITERIVER, ARIZONA – Several small, wildland fires have started on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation within the past few days. All fires but one have been caused by lighting. Lightning strikes can generate fires that smolder and go unnoticed for days or weeks following a storm. Fire Management will be watching for any new smoke or fire sightings over the next few days.
Cowboy Fire = Navajo County. 0.1 acre, burning on the east side of highway 73 near Roberts Ranch. A green tree was struck by lightning.
Big Bonito Fire = Apache County. 0.1 acres, burning on the eastern part of the Reservation along Y 70 road, single snag.
West Poker Fire = Apache County. 1 acre, burning within the vicinity of Poker Mountain. A large snag was struck by lightning.
Grind Fire = Apache County. 0.1 acre, burning north of the community of East fork.
SugarLoaf Fire = Gila County. 0.1 acre, burning south east of Cedar Creek.
Beaver Fire = Navajo County. 0.1 acre, burning on the east side of highway 60 near Forestdale.
Goose Fire = Apache County. Burning northeast of McNary. Fire was reported on June 23, 2012. Fire was contained on June 24, 2012.
Sunset Fire = Navajo County. 1 acre, burning near the sunset liquor store along R55 road. This was a human caused fire under investigation that was started on June 24, 2012. Fire was contained on June 24, 2012.
Remember that all popular recreational lakes and campsites are open but Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will remain in place until sufficient moisture is received across the Reservation. All back-country sites on the Reservation will be closed until further notice. BIA Fort Apache Agency appreciates your cooperation in protecting the White Mountain Apache lands. For more information on wildfire prevention and fire safety contact (928) 205-7228.