Submitted by Al & Lanae Lauria of Deer Creek Village Taken July 7, 2004, they call it "One of our sentries keeping watch." See more reader-submitted photos of the Willow Fire on payson.com photo galleries.

Full containment expected on Willow Fire Monday

By Jim Keyworth, Roundup staff reporter

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.

That's also when the Central Arizona Zone Type 2 Incident Management Team under the command of John Philbin will take control of mop-up and rehabilitation efforts on the fire. The new team is shadowing Jeff Whitney's Southwest Area Type 1 Team today in preparation for that takeover.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, the Willow Fire was 90 percent contained at 119,500 acres. Fire suppression cost has reached $9,643,000 and there are currently 603 personnel assigned to the fire.

Meanwhile the Mine Fire, which started Sunday Morning in the Four Peaks Wilderness southwest of Lake Roosevelt, was contained today at 50 acres.

Watch for more photos and a wrap-up interview with Incident Team Commander Jeff Whitney in Tuesday's printed edition of the Payson Roundup.