Update on firefighter injury at Poco Fire

Firefighter injury on Poco fire, Tonto National Forest

6 miles northeast of Young, Ariz., June 16

                  Young, Ariz. (June 16, 2012) – Yesterday, a firefighter from the Geronimo Interagency Hotshot Crew was injured when he was struck by a falling snag (dead tree) adjacent to the line his crew was working.  The firefighter was evacuated by air to Phoenix.  He was treated for a broken leg and related injuries and is currently recuperating from his injuries.  Additional information will follow pending notification of immediate family members.

“We want to thank everyone who assisted in this successful medevac,” stated Helen Graham, Acting Fire Staff, Tonto National Forest.  “The cooperation resulted in quick and necessary medical attention.”

The Poco fire is burning on the Pleasant Valley Ranger District, Tonto National Forest about six miles northeast of Young, Arizona.  It started on June 14, and has grown to about 1,500 acres.  Air resources today included several air tankers, including a DC-10 which made six retardant drops.

A temporary area closure went into effect today for public and firefighter safety during incident operations.  Residence owners, lessees of land, and holders of Forest Service special use authorizations within the restricted area may use Forest Systems Road as ingress and regress from their property.

Forest Service officials continue to remind the public that wildfire potential conditions are extreme on the forest and that elevated fire restriction are in place.  No fireworks are allowed on the forest at any time.

For statewide road conditions and closures please go to http://www.az511.gov/ or dial 5-1-1 from any landline or mobile phone from anywhere in Arizona. From outside Arizona, dial 1-888-411-ROAD (7623) or 602-523-0244.

                 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

                 The Pleasant Valley Ranger District administrative office will be open this weekend: 

928-462-4300.