Willow Fire officials say danger has passed

By Max Foster, Roundup staff reporter

Saturday, July 10, 2004

Craig Smith Photo/Contributed Flames from burnout efforts on the Willow Fire can be seen burning behind this Smokey the Bear fire danger sign on Highway 188. After two weeks, fire officials say the danger has finally passed from the blaze that has so far burned 119,500 acres near Payson, Arizona.

The two-week battle to suppress the Willow Fire is coming to a climax.

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. Officials also announced that because danger has passed, there will be no more media briefings.

A few fire lines need to be tended but fire officials are confident the Willow will soon be totally contained.

Also, night shift crews are no longer being used on the fire and Gila County Sheriff's deputies, who had the responsibility of enforcing forest closures, are being pulled off the fire.

"Two weeks is an awful long time," Gila County Sheriff John Armer said.

Armer also thanked the many agencies involved in the firefight for "coming together" and functioning as one.

Officials attributed the recent suppression success to the back burns that were conducted yesterday and to the rising humidity in the Rim country.

The back burn resulted in about 10 miles of fire line being built in less than four hours. During the burn out, a power line was shut down without impacting electrical service to Phoenix, which had been a huge concern in the Valley.

With the fire danger at an end, forest service personnel will now begin rehabilitation efforts that will probably be extensive.

Fire officials also thanked the community for their cooperation and support.

Fire Statistics:

Containment: 65%

Acres Involved: 119,500

Current Personnel Assigned: 769

Start Date: 06/24/2004

Current Cost: $8,375,000