Three Fire Complex near full containment

Thursday, June 30, 2005

With the size holding steady and containment efforts proving successful, night operations of the Three Fire Complex have been suspended.

Multiple crews and overhead have already been released as the demobilization process begins.

Remaining firefighters will continue to check for hot spots thursday and monitor the fires by air.

Later Thursday, the Arizona Central West Zone Incident Management Team will turn over supervision of the fire complex to the Tonto National Forest.

Upon the departure of the incident management team, all recreation facilities within the Roosevelt Lake and Apache Lake Recreation Areas will be open to the public in time for the 4th of July holiday weekend.

Until today, the Cholla Campground had served as the fire base camp.

Outdoor recreationists are reminded that the use of fireworks is prohibited on all public lands in Arizona.

Three Fire Complex Statistics

Acres: 19,370 acres

Start date: Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Cause: Lightning

Location: 6.5 miles northwest of Roosevelt Dam

Containment: 75 percent

Fuels: Grass, desert scrub, chaparral, ponderosa pine

Terrain: Steep, mountainous slopes

Cost: $1,727,428

Resources: 4 crews, 12 engines, 5 water tenders, 269 total personnel

Available air support: 3 helicopters