Poco Fire now 50 percent contained

Increased containment on the Poco Fire

YOUNG, Ariz. – Containment on the Poco Fire is up to 50 percent and stands at 11,950 acres. A plan is in place to transfer command of the incident from the Northern Arizona Incident Management Team (IMT) back to the Tonto National Forest. 

Yesterday, firefighters continued mop-up, removed hoses, and further secured containment lines.  Rehabilitation efforts on areas affected by suppression efforts are nearly completed.

The first priority on every fire remains firefighter and public safety. Crews heard at the morning briefing, “Be vigilant for hazards and not become complacent, even though the incident is winding down,” said Incident Commander Matt Reidy. 

Over 500 personnel are assigned to the incident. Many of the firefighting resources are being released to their home units or to other fire assignments within Arizona and New Mexico.

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.