Tanner Fire at 5,500 acres, 20 percent contained

Section of Highway 288 remains closed - smoke from fire seen in Payson, Globe, Tonto Basin, Young, between Payson and the Valley, and the northeast Valley

For Immediate Release                                                       

September 27, 2011 - 2000  hrs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Tanner fire on Pleasant Valley Ranger District, Tonto National Forest

Part of Hwy. 288 remains closed

Young, Ariz., September 27, 2011 - 2000 hrs.

Fire Facts

Incident Commander:  Jerry Human       

Date started: 08/20/ 2011 1430 hrs          

Location: 19 miles south of Young, Arizona

Lat: 33 50’ 06”

Long: 111 00’ 37”

Cause: Lightning              

Size: 5,500 acres              

Percent contained: 20                   

Resources committed:

2 type-1 crews

4 type-2 crews

11 engines

Aircraft: 2 helicopters

Terrain: Steep  

Fuel: Light logging slash

Estimated Cost to date: $500,886             

Closure:  Stretch of Hwy. 288

               

Summary:  

Pleasant Valley Ranger District fire specialists are managing the lightning-caused Tanner wildfire, which began on August 20 near the peak of Armer Mountain in the Sierra Anchas.  The size of the fire is about 5,500 acres, and is 20 percent contained, with the fire spreading today mainly to the northeast.

The fire reached the Arizona Elks Youth Camp last night, but on-duty crews protected it by conducting burn-out operations between the fire and the creek to prevent the fire’s spread.  

The smoke is visible in the Tonto Basin, Globe, Young, and Payson areas, or when traveling Hwy. 87 between Payson and the Valley, as well as from the northeast Valley.

Crews worked on securing a portion of the southern section and the northwestern section, concentrating on securing the Workman Creek area and the Elks Youth Camp area. 

Crews will work through the night to maintain today’s progress.  Burn-out operations are planned for tomorrow to secure Workman Creek. 

Closures:  Hwy. 288 is closed from Reynolds Creek south to the A-Cross Road.   Crews are also focused on mopping-up operations here so the road can be re-opened.  For further information about the road closure, please contact the Gila County Sheriff’s Office:  928-474-2208, or go to www.az511.gov.

For information, call the Pleasant Valley Ranger District offices at 928-462-4300, or stay updated at www.fs.usda.gov/Tonto.  To report a wildland fire, the fire emergency number is 866-746-6516, or dial 9-1-1.