Thursday Update on The Bachelor Fire
Incident: Bachelor Fire Wildfire
Released: 10/20/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Bob Dyson October 22, 2009 928-333-4301 928-367-8112 (pager) Thursday Update on the Bachelor Fire Springerville, AZ (October 22, 2009)...The Bachelor Fire between Payson and Heber has grown to 640 acres today but fire officials are pleased with progress made on the containment lines. Burnouts to reinforce the fire line have been successful and will continue as long as weather conditions allow. Today the burnouts started early but had to be curtailed later in the day as humidities dropped and wind speed increased. Such conditions can lead to unacceptably hot burning scenarios. Firefighters have concentrated on the south or downhill portion of the fire as the other portions of the fire have been lined and burned out already. The fire is 60% contained this evening with a target date of Saturday, October 24, 2009, planned for full containment. Although the Bachelor Fire is moving closer to structures in Colcord Estates and Ponderosa Springs subdivisions there is no immediate threat to them. Fire managers are working closely with Gila County personnel and local Christopher Kohls Fire District officials to keep residents informed about the status of the fire and suppression efforts. The Bachelor Fire is located south of Highway 260 and west of the Young Road (Forest Road 512). Fire managers are asking the public to stay out of the fire area. Smoke can be heavy at times and visibility for drivers may be limited, especially on Forest Road 512 where fire personnel and vehicles may be encountered. Forest Road 9512E leading to a number of popular camping areas along the Rim is closed to public travel. About 114 people are assigned to the Bachelor Fire at this time and come from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the State Forestry Wildland Fire Crews. The fire is believed to be human-caused. Visitors to the Forests are reminded to thoroughly extinguish all campfires, pack out all trash, and never use fireworks. End FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Bob Dyson
October 20, 2009 928-333-4301
928-367-8112 (pager)
Progress Made on Three Wildfires
Springerville, AZ (October 20, 2009)...Significant progress towards the containment of three wildfires on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is reported by fire managers today.
Despite windy conditions which created some difficulties on the Bachelor Fire, firefighters were able to hold the fire to within a preliminary containment line as embers were being blown over the line numerous times. A portion of the fire is located on very steep ground along the Mogollon Rim so the fire is backing down the hill towards the bottom of Colcord Canyon. The fire size is estimated at 200 acres currently and is somewhat closer to structures but that is expected and the structures are not at imminent risk. Firefighters have been able to improve lines on the east, west, and north sides of the fire and will continue burnouts as conditions allow. Fire managers are asking that the public refrain from traveling in or near the fire area as there are reports of ATVs using the dozer lines. There is heavy smoke across Forest Road 512 (the Young Road) at times so travelers are asked to slow down and be very cautious of fire personnel and vehicles on or near the road. Forest Road 9512E is closed to public use. About 112 people are assigned to the Bachelor Fire at this time and come from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Department of Corrections. The fire is located south of Highway 260 and west of the Young Road and is believed to be human-caused.
The Palomino Fire started over the weekend and is located about three miles northeast of Woods Canyon Lake burning in grass and small fuels and is estimated at about 35 acres. It was lined by crews on Sunday and is being mopped up at this time. No structures are threatened.
The Camp Knoll Fire is estimated at 60 acres and burning in grass and downed, woody fuels within the Rodeo/Chediski Fire about three miles south of Heber. No structures are threatened and crews today continue to improve the containment line and mop up burning material close to and within the line. Smoke may be visible in the Heber and Overgaard areas.
Visitors to the Forests are reminded to thoroughly extinguish all campfires, pack out all trash, and never use fireworks.
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