Saturday's T-storms yield little rain on Cook's Complex fires

Update on “Cook’s Complex” fires in the Tonto National Forest

 

Phoenix (July 14, 2012) – Afternoon thunderstorms moved quickly Saturday through the Cook’s Complex fires on the Tonto National Forest seemingly surrounding the incidents with moisture, yet little rain fell directly on the fires.  Reconnaissance flights revealed sunshine over the fires and interior burning Saturday, spanning 5,990 acres.

“The moisture and humidity helps, but we didn’t get the rain we hoped for right where we needed it,” explains Incident Commander Trainee Andy Mandell, from Arizona’s Central West Zone Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Team.  “We did make significant progress with air attack before the front moved in.  Three helicopters dropped water on the two most active fires for as long as we could keep them flying.”  

Just before the storm front moved through Saturday, Mandell ordered the helicopters back to base and moved firefighters and equipment to safety zones.  There have not been any injuries on the Cook’s Complex fires.  Mandell says he is stressing safety as lightning continues and flash flooding is likely. 

The team’s fire suppression strategy for Sunday is to continue the use of air resources to support the crews on the ground.  Incident personnel will conduct air recon over all fires early Sunday to determine the extent of interior burning, whether moisture aided, and to update acreage.  

The total containment on the Cook’s Complex fires is at 50%.  158 fire personnel remain on scene in the Black Canyon City and New River areas. 

The fire information center in Black Canyon City will only be open on Sunday if conditions warrant/worsen.  Maps and information are posted there. The public may get the most current information at: www.inciweb.org – click on Cook’s.

Fire Start 1:         (Cook’s - 12 miles east of Black Canyon City, Az.)

• 75% Contained
• Date reported: Jul. 11, 2012, 1:18 p.m.
• Size 190 acres
• Resources: 1 Engine
• Summary:  Suppression progressed well; firefighters are holding lines and will remain to mop-up and patrol Sunday.

Fire Start 2:         (Closest to New River)

• 25% Contained
• Date reported: July 11, 2012, 3:09 p.m.
• Size: 800 acres
• Resources committed: 
• 1 Hotshot crew / 1 Engine
• Summary:  This continued to be the most active fire Saturday burning in rough terrain and a remote section of the Tonto National Forest.

Fire Start 3:         (Closet to Black Canyon City)

• 50% Contained
• Reported: July 11, 2012, 3:10 p.m.
• Size: 5,000 acres
• Resources committed: 
• 2 crews / 1 Engine
• Summary:  Burning increased on the northern edge of the fire; spread to private and State Land stopped. 

For more information, check online at www.inciweb.org or www.fs.usda.gov/tonto