Poco Fire now 25 percent contained

Containment increases on Poco Fire

YOUNG, Ariz. – After yesterday’s burnout operations – mainly on the southwest corner of the fire perimeter – the Poco Fire is now 11,950 acres with 25 percent containment. A critical portion of the fire near the community of Young has fireline around it as a result of these operations. 

Today, the weather is a concern to fire managers as winds are expected to gust up to 30 mph in the afternoon. Firefighters will continue to patrol for spot fires, reinforce fire lines, and mop up. 

The twin 500 kV power lines owned by Arizona Public Service and Salt River Project are no longer threatened.

Incident Commander Matt Reidy says, “Crews have done a really timely job constructing fireline and burning out which has helped us prepare for the predicted weather over the next few days.”  

There are 741 personnel assigned to the incident including 11 hotshot crews, seven twenty-person crews, 24 engines, seven dozers, 19 water tenders, and several helicopters.   

Base camp at the Young School is open for tours this afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. This is the second camp tour offered to community members for an opportunity to visit with fire officials and learn about incident support.

FR 512 remains closed between FR 291 and FR 200, the Chamberlin Trail. In addition, a portion of the ranger district is closed east of FR 200, south of FR 291 and north of FR 512.

Poco Fire information is posted at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2911.  For more information regarding forest recreation sites and fire restrictions, please contact the Tonto National Forest at 602 225-5200, or check online at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.