Fire Update: February Fire jumps Highline Trail

By Jim Keyworth, Roundup staff reporter

Wednesday, February 8, 2006

The February Fire, raging on the Tonto and Coconino forests six miles east of Pine, has grown to 1200 acres and has jumped the Highline Trail.

Photo by Allison Randall

"It was kind of active last night," Jean Gilbertson, Mogollon Rim Ranger District information officer, said. "Even up on top (of the Mogollon Rim) there was spotting."

Firefighters had hoped to contain the fire within an area bounded by the Mogollon Rim Road to the north, the Highline Trail to the south and the burned out areas from two older fires, the Webber to the west and the Packrat to the east.

The fire, which is burning in juniper and ponderosa pine forest in the rugged terrain along the Mogollon Rim, is currently advancing to the southwest.

"Today, the northeast winds are causing a downslope push along the canyons, which is forcing the fire direction toward the southwest," Gilbertson said. Winds today are expected to reach 10 miles per hour with gusts to 20.

No homes or communities are threatened at this point.

"The nearest structure to the fire is the Bray Creek Ranch (about a half mile away), and we are arranging to get structure protection for that," Gilbertson said.

Mike Webb, a Valley resident who owns a cabin in Rim Trail, is concerned.

"I understand it's going south, so hopefully they'll get it under control," he said. "I just hope and pray that the wind dies down."

A total of 170 personnel including five type-2 hand crews, nine engines and two helicopters are fighting the blaze. Another helicopter and an air tanker have been ordered.

Road and trail closures include the Mogollon Rim Road from Forest Road 147 to Forest Road 141 on the Coconino National Forest. The Coconino also closed Forest Road 308 from Forest Road 147 to Forest Road 300. On the Tonto National Forest, the Highline Trail is closed from Washington Park to Weber Creek.

The fire, which is about 12 miles north of Payson, was first reported Monday evening. Investigators have determined it was human-caused.

"It's an abandoned campfire," Gilbertson said.