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Willow Fire special print edition in the Friday 7-30 Roundup
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Pick up the Friday, July 30 print edition of the Payson Roundup newspaper for a copy of this commemorative Willow Fire section. Inside its pages you'll find a day-to-day record of events and lots of photos, many of which were submitted by our readers. Read the section introduction on this link, written by Roundup reporter Jim Keyworth who was assigned as the primary reporter during the Willow Fire.

Photo Gallery: Willow Fire 2
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
The Roundup presents a collection of new photos submitted by community photographers. Selected photos will be posted as they arrive.

Rehab begins on Willow burn area
Friday, July 16, 2004
The Willow Fire not only threatened our communities, it had a major ecological impact on the area.

The high cost of battling a blaze
Friday, July 16, 2004
In just three weeks, the cost of the Willow Fire grew from about $350,000 to $10 million.

Firefighters mop up Willow hot spots
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Containment of the Willow Fire remains at 95 percent as firefighters continue to mop up the final hot spots.
"For all intents and purposes, it's contained," Public Affairs Officer Jim Payne said. "(Incident Commander John Philbin) just wanted to be more conservative and not call it 100 percent contained."

Monsoon rain creates mixed blessings after Willow Fire
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
The monsoon season is a mixed blessing for residents in the communities surrounding the Willow Fire. Although the monsoons bring rain, it's not enough to alleviate the drought, and lightning activity and the potential for flooding increases.

At a glance: New Willow Fire incident management team information
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
John Philbin's Type 2 Incident Management Team has now taken over the final stages of the Willow Fire. The goal of this team is to continue control operations, mop-up, and rehabilitation. See new website information.

Willow Fire now fully contained
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team Commander Jeff Whitney has fought a lot of fires in his time. And while there's no such thing as a routine wildfire, the Willow Fire did some things that he had never seen before -- especially on its southeast flank.

Water draw for Willow had little impact on Green Valley lakes
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Green Valley Park gave up an estimated 20,000 gallons of water per day to the recent fire-fighting efforts, but the withdrawal had virtually no effect on the lakes.

Children spot fire, save businesses
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
When 12-year-old Tricia Ricke and her friends saw the fire, they knew they had to get help fast.

More Rim country businesses ride out fire
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Forest closures and the recent shut-down of Highway 87 for the firefighting efforts have caused many of the area's merchants to suffer.
The following are offering specials to welcome you to their stores and services:

Inmates helped fight the fire
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Sgt. Augustine Ballesteros knows the rehabilitative value of allowing inmates to work as firefighters as a crew did for 10 days of the Willow Fire.

Full containment expected on Willow Fire Monday
Monday, July 12, 2004
After menacing the Rim country for 18 days, the Willow Fire is expected to be 100 percent contained at 6 p.m. Monday.

Whitney Team leaving Payson Monday; Willow 70 percent contained
Sunday, July 11, 2004
With the majority of the fire line around the Willow Fire contained, Jeff Whitney's Type 1 Incident Management Team began the process of transitioning out on Sunday.

Willow Fire officials say danger has passed
Saturday, July 10, 2004
At a media briefing held 8 p.m. July 9 at Payson High School, Southwest Area Type I Incident Management Team officials announced the fire is 65 percent contained and the team will probably be dispersed by Monday.

Motorists urged to be cautious driving through Willow Fire area on SR87
Friday, July 9, 2004
"You're going to see some things that may shock you," said Law Enforcement Liaison Jim Clawson. "Make sure that the driver keeps his eyes on the road so you don't run into anybody there."

Highway 87 reopens; Crews get upper hand on Willow
Friday, July 9, 2004
Firefighters say they believe they finally have the upper hand on the Willow Fire.

Ponderosa Fire stopped at 140 acres
Friday, July 9, 2004
With the help of nearby fire crews, a fire that destroyed 140 acres Wednesday near the Ponderosa Campground was reported and contained within 32 hours.

Businesses get creative to survive fire season
Friday, July 9, 2004
Smoke is billowing into the sky and settling in all around us. Our first instincts might be to hunker down and ride out the fire. With roads closures and forests restricted, many of the area's merchants are suffering. The following businesses are offering specials to welcome you to their stores and services:

Photo Gallery: Willow Fire 1
Friday, July 9, 2004
The Roundup presents a collection of photos from staff and community photographers. New photos posted as they arrive.

Maps: Willow Fire perimeter and progression maps
Friday, July 9, 2004
See the progress of the Willow Fire since Thursday, June 24, 2004. Maps will be updated as they are made available.
Watch payson.com for regular updates.

Red ribbons show support of firefighters
Friday, July 9, 2004
Tie a red ribbon 'round the ole oak tree. In an effort to show support for the Willow Fire team, Payson and Pine residents and businesses are encouraged to display red ribbons, signs and banners.

Willow Fire: At a glance phone numbers and websites
Friday, July 9, 2004
The Type 1 Southwest Fire Management Team has set up a website, e-mail and phone numbers for residents to get information about the Willow Fire.

Willow Fire 40 percent contained; Highway 87 remains closed
Thursday, July 8, 2004
The burnout along the southern edge of the Willow Fire did "extremely well" Thursday as firefighters reached 40 percent containment of the blaze, according to Operations Section Chief Buck Wickham.

Ponderosa Fire update: Crews mopping up
Thursday, July 8, 2004
The Ponderosa Fire, which started at 11 a.m. Wednesday near the Ponderosa campground, has destroyed 140 acres and is nearly contained.

Fire management team information phone lines down due to fire
Thursday, July 8, 2004
The Type 1 Southwest Fire Management Team Information Center phone lines are down due to the Ponderosa Fire burning through fiber optic cables.

Firefighters enter critical phase in battle against Willow Fire
Thursday, July 8, 2004
Firefighters face a critical period today (Thursday) as they continue to battle the Willow Fire on its southeast flank.

Willow Fire status and highway closure update
Thursday, July 8, 2004
Yesterday (Wednesday) was a busy but successful day. The Type 1 team provided support to the Tonto National Forest crews during the Ponderosa Fire, which occurred east of Payson. The quick response of 3 Hotshot crews, 4 dozers and several aircraft enabled crews to keep the fire contained.

Fire information phone lines repaired
Thursday, July 8, 2004
The Type 1 Southwest Fire Management Team Information Center phone lines have been repaired and operators are standing by to assist residents with questions about the Willow Fire or other fire incidents in the area.

Willow Fire jumps Highway 87 in spots; both 87 and 188 closed
Thursday, July 8, 2004
With the Willow Fire jumping Highway 87 and the diversion of resources to fight the Ponderosa Fire at Highway 260 and the Control Road, the Southwest Incident Management Team had a busy but successful day on Wednesday.

Forward spread stopped on Ponderosa Fire
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
The forward spread of the Ponderosa Fire has been stopped and firefighters are now working to extinguish spot fires.

Highway 87 reopened Wednesday a.m.
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Heavy smoke covering State Route 87 prompted fire officials to close the highway south of Payson Tuesday night.
It is now reopened, but fire officials warn it could close at any time.

Highway 87 closed (posted Tuesday p.m.)
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Heavy smoke covering State Route 87 prompted fire officials to close the highway south of Payson Tuesday night.

Ponderosa Fire prompts evacuations in Thompson Draw area
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
A fire that broke out at about 11:10 a.m. today near Ponderosa Campground is burning toward the Thompson Draw area, about 12 miles east of Payson off east Highway 260.

Willow Fire outburst prompts Beeline closures: Wednesday 1 p.m.
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
A portion of the Willow Fire jumped containment lines near the Bar-T-Bar Ranch 12 miles south of Payson late Tuesday afternoon, prompting fire officials to close Highway 87 from about 9:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Highway Update: Officials caution road could close at any time on short notice
Tuesday, July 6, 2004
Fire officials now believe they have a 50-50 chance of keeping the southeast flank of the Willow Fire in check and Highway 87 open. But officials caution that Highway 87 could be closed at any time on short notice.

Payson Red Cross reception and care center closed
Tuesday, July 6, 2004
The Red Cross reception and care center established in Payson for residents affected by smoke has now been closed due to poor air quality.

Beeline closure averted
Tuesday, July 6, 2004
Highway 87 remains open on an hour-to-hour basis after firefighters were able to hold the line on the Willow Fire Monday.

Willow starting to cooperate
Tuesday, July 6, 2004
As operations on the north and east side of the Willow Fire begin to wind down, firefighters are focusing on the fire's growing southeast side.

Visiting fire crews help patrol neighborhoods
Tuesday, July 6, 2004
Municipal firefighters from around the state are helping keep Rim country communities safe during the ongoing battle with the Willow Fire.

Hotshot crews help Beeline to remain open on day-to-day basis
Monday, July 5, 2004
Thanks to diligent firefighters and a plan to strategically place hotshot crews on the fire line, State Route 87 - the Beeline Highway - will not close as scheduled at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Payson dodges Willow Fire bullet, fire official says
Monday, July 5, 2004
The Willow Fire was not very active today (Sunday), allowing fire crews time to widen the containment line protecting Payson and prompting Operations Sections Chief Buck Wickham to all but declare the community of Payson safe during the 8 p.m. briefing Sunday.

Relocation center set up for Deer Creek area residents
Monday, July 5, 2004
Due to an unexpected change in the weather a relocation center has been set up to give Deer Creek residents a place to get out of the smoke.

Video: Gov. Napolitano in Payson
Sunday, July 4, 2004
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano flew over the Willow Fire for a firsthand look Saturday morning, July 3. This 2-minute video was taken during a press conference at the fire information center in front of Payson High School.

Payson containment lines holding
Sunday, July 4, 2004
Firefighters continue to gain ground on the Willow Fire, and fire officials believe Payson should be pronounced safe in the next few days. But some concerns remain.

Payson told 'not to worry'; firefighters confident
Sunday, July 4, 2004
Despite another smoky day Saturday, there is good news for Payson residents. According to fire officials, the burnout on the east side of the Willow Fire has been completed and Payson will be safe "in a couple days."

Governor tours 69,500-acre Willow Fire
Saturday, July 3, 2004
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano flew over the Willow Fire for a firsthand look Saturday morning.

Smoky day just a "big show"; Willow Fire grows to 65,000 acres
Saturday, July 3, 2004
Payson was inundated with smoke and ash Friday afternoon, but firefighters were generally pleased with their progress battling the Willow Fire southwest of town.

Willow Fire grows to 43,000 acres, but lines hold
Friday, July 2, 2004
Despite two spectacular columns of smoke and an unfounded evacuation
rumor, firefighters had a productive day battling the Willow Fire
Thursday.

Firefighters race to secure line
Friday, July 2, 2004
Tedious but successful burnout operations on the north and east sides of the Willow Fire are reducing the risk to Payson, Pine and Strawberry, but the three communities are a long way from safe.

Facing the fire
Friday, July 2, 2004
A grateful community hopes for the safety of more than 900 men and women fighting the Willow Fire to save homes, property and lives.

Video: Willow Fire near Rye
Friday, July 2, 2004
The Willow Fire continues to threaten communities as firefighters conduct burnout activities near Rye, Arizona. Video taken July 2, 2004.

Help firefighters by clearing property and being prepared
Friday, July 2, 2004
Payson and Pine residents don't have to be out fighting the flames to support the Willow Fire effort. There are plenty of options for those wanting to help.

Willow Fire postpones fireworks display; celebration still on
Friday, July 2, 2004
The fireworks display scheduled for the town's Independence Day celebration has been postponed due to extreme fire danger, but the other scheduled activities are still in place.

Firefighters make slow progress as Willow Fire grows to 40,800 acres
Thursday, July 1, 2004
Successful burnout operations on the north and east sides of the Willow Fire Wednesday night reduced the risk to Payson, Pine and Strawberry, but the blaze is still growing, fire officials said Thursday.

Willow Fire update: officials optimistic
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
While smoke from the Willow Fire filled the air in thick columns Wednesday residents were concerned that the wildfire was growing, but officials say it remained at 32,000 acres throughout the day.

Willow Fire creeps within 4 miles of Payson
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Firefighters conducted limited burnouts last night in an attempt to thwart the Willow Fire from reaching Payson and other Rim country communities.

Video: Willow Fire view from hilltop
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
This is the view from the southwest corner of Payson on a hill that overlooks a portion of the fire zone. The edge of the Willow Fire is approximately 4 miles from Payson. Taken around 1 p.m. on June 30, 2004.

Video: Willow Fire Helicopters at Green Valley Park
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
This video shows one of three Sikorsky Sky Crane helicopters being used to fight the Willow Fire now four miles (updated number) southwest of Payson. The aircraft are taking water from Payson's Green Valley Park Lakes.

Willow Fire closes in on Rim country
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
(Tuesday evening update: Fire grows to 32,000 acres.)
As wary Rim country residents try to go about their daily business, the Willow Fire grows increasingly ominous on the southwestern horizon.

Smoky air dangerous for people with lung problems
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Smoke and ash from the Willow Fire has many residents concerned, especially those who suffer from lung ailments such as asthma.

Willow Fire Update: 22,000 acres in size Monday afternoon
Monday, June 28, 2004
The Willow Fire, now just eight miles southwest of Payson in the Tonto National Forest's Mazatzal Wilderness Area, was estimated to be 22,000 acres in size Monday afternoon.