Arizona '05

Brush fires burning this evening near Wickenburg


WICKENBURG, Ariz. (AP) - A cluster of fires are burning
northwest of Wickenburg near the junction of Highway's 71 and 93.
The state lands department says the fire is burning about a mile
from four mobile homes and a ranch. So far, 150 acres have gone up
in flames leaving behind a blackened patch of desert.
Sixty firefighters are on the "Rusty Fire" along with
single-engine air tankers and heavy-helicopters.
In all 13 engines are battling the flames in dry and dead desert
brush.
Firefighters from Prescott National Forest, Tonto National
Forest, The Bureau of Land Management, the State Land Department,
Wickenburg Fire and the Congress Fire Department are on the scene.

Brush fire destroys two homes, continues to spread
PICACHO, Ariz. (AP) - A wildfire destroyed two homes and three
other structures and was continuing to spread in brush and desert
grasses around this southern Arizona community, a fire spokeswoman
said Monday.
The Tree House fire had spread across 40 acres by early Monday
but it wasn't clear whether other structures were threatened, said
Judy Wood, a spokeswoman for the Arizona State Land Department,
which was fighting the blaze along with other agencies.
Wood said the fire began in a tree but the cause remained under
investigation.
She said the fire, which began during the weekend, serves as a
reminder to people to clear brush and grasses from around their
homes to create a buffer against fires. "We're really emphasizing
this since this is the beginning of the fire season," Wood said.
---
On the Net:
Information on protecting homes: http://www.firewise.org

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Wildfire near Wickenburg fully contained
PHOENIX (AP) - A wildfire that burned 460 acres of land south of
Wickenburg was fully contained by Monday, officials said.
The Vulture fire, which started Sunday afternoon, was still
burning 10 miles south of Wickenburg but will not spread, said
Deneen Cone, dispatch manager for the Arizona State Land
Department.
The blaze came within about half a mile of a ranch, a few other
buildings and some nearby power lines, but the fire no longer
threatened those structures Monday, Cone said.
About 10 firefighters worked to control the flames Monday. The
cause of the fire was unknown.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

PHOENIX (AP) - A grass and brush fire northeast of Phoenix near
Bartlett Lake was 95 percent contained Tuesday night after burning
more than 14,500 acres, a spokesman said.
Wendell Peacock, a spokesman for the fire crews, said the Bart
fire was expected to be fully contained by Friday night "although
it probably will be earlier than that."
He said the 14,534 acres included 1,920 acres burned by the St.
Clair fire, which started Friday but was contained Sunday.
"The St. Clair fire was already out and the Bart fire burned
into the St. Clair in places," said Peacock.
Since the fire-line containment perimeter included the
burned-out area of the St. Clair, crews were counting that acreage
as part of the Bart fire, according to Peacock.
Firefighters cut a fuel-free barrier line around about
three-quarters of the Bart fire by Tuesday morning after
temperatures and winds dropped overnight.
The fire was fueled by grasses that grew lush this spring from
ample winter rains but have since dried out.
Nearly 360 firefighters and support staff, including 12 elite
Hotshot crews and two helicopters, fought the blaze which broke out
about 5 p.m. Sunday in the Tonto National Forest.
A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the
arrest and conviction of whoever started the Bart fire, Peacock
said.
"We know it was human caused. Who did it and how they did it is
still part of the investigation," Peacock said.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

GLOBE, Ariz. (AP) - A wildfire burning southwest of Globe was 95
percent contained by Tuesday night after charring 1,985 acres,
authorities said.
More than 350 firefighters were working on the fire, which is
burning in rough terrain on state land.
The fire began Sunday afternoon and was believed to be
human-caused.
No structures were threatened by the blaze, said Vinnie Picard,
a spokesman for the Tonto National Forest.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Wildfire threatening structures, hundreds may be evacuated


CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (AP) - A five-thousand-acre wildfire is
threatening about 100 structures this evening west of the community
of Stanfield in Pinal County.
The buildings include an unknown number of homes.
State fire officials say about 300 people were expected to be
evacuated.
Arizona State Land Department spokesman Cliff Pearlberg says the
Vekol (VEEK'-uhl) fire hasn't damaged any structures.
However, Pearlberg says they feel structures at this point in
time are in danger.
Fire officials are expecting the fire to grow to eight-thousand
acres.
There's no estimated time for containment.
Another fire is also burning about 20 miles south of Casa
Grande.
The Green fire has burned 600 acres.
It's also threatening structures, but no one has been evacuated.


(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (AP) - Three firefighters suffered minor
injuries while battling a 6,650-acre wildfire burning about 20
miles west of Casa Grande.
Two firefighters suffered dehydration and a third was burned
Friday afternoon after being scalded with hot water from a pump on
a water tender, said Wendall Peacock, a spokesman for the crew
fighting the fire.
The dehydrated firefighters were taken to Casa Grande Regional
Medical Center where they were treated and released, Peacock said.
The other fireman remained at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix
overnight but was listed in good condition.
The Vekol fire was 90 percent contained Saturday night and no
longer threatening about 100 structures in the area, authorities
said.
Strong winds from a Friday night storm made fire suppression
more difficult, Peacock said. Once the storm passed, crews worked
through the night to create a line around the fire.
About 255 personnel were fighting the fire, along with 16
engines, a helicopter and two air tankers.
The fire has cost $657,483 to fight so far, said U.S. Forest
Service spokeswoman Annie Hanson.
The blaze broke out Thursday afternoon and spread quickly
through dry grass and brush. Authorities were investigating how the
fire started but suspect it was human caused.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APTV 05-29-05 0717EDT

Wildfire west of Casa Grande contained
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (AP) - Fire crews have contained a 6,116-acre
wildfire burning about 20 miles west of Casa Grande.
The Vekol fire was contained on Sunday night, although fire
crews were continuing to monitor hot spots on Monday, said Wendall
Peacock, a spokesman for the crew fighting the fire.
The fire had been estimated at 6,650-acres but was downgraded
because of better mapping.
Three firefighters were injured while battling the blaze - two
had dehydration and a third suffered burns on his torso and hand
after being scalded with hot water from a pump on a water tender.
The dehydrated firefighters were taken to a nearby hospital and
were treated and released on Friday. The third, Rincon Valley
fireman Rick Halfmann, was expected to stay in the hospital a few
more days, Peacock said Monday.
The fire cost around $660,000 to fight, Peacock said.
The blaze broke out Thursday afternoon and spread quickly
through dry grass and brush. Authorities were investigating how the
fire started but suspect it was human caused.
"As long people are careless with fire," Peacock said, "we're
going to have a long season."

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

By AMANDA KEIM
Associated Press Writer
PHOENIX (AP) - Not that they moved slow before, but Arizona
firefighters are trying to hit fast-moving brush fires quicker than
ever as they battle the dried up remnants of this year's heavy
winter rains.
With all the moisture came lots of grass and flowers in desert
areas, eventually leading to more brush fires in lower elevations
instead of the tall-tree forest fires most people are used to, said
Cliff Pearlberg, fire prevention officer for the Arizona State Land
Department.
"We had all that wonderful rain which caused all those
beautiful flowers to grow," Pearlberg said. "They're not pretty
anymore. Now they're all brown."
As predicted, brush fires have sprung up all over this year and
agencies are trying to get out to them and coordinate resources as
early as possible to keep flames contained, said Lori Faeth, the
governor's policy adviser for natural resources and the
environment.
While grass and brush fires are easier to put out than forest
fires, grass burns more quickly than forest fuel, Pearlberg said.
As a result, it's easier for grass and brush fires to spread
quickly before fire crews can contain them - a potentially
dangerous scenario for fires near desert developments.
Wildfires have already burned more than 16,450 acres across the
state in at least 331 fires this year, Pearlberg said. That acreage
is more than four times the 10-year average for May 27, which is
3,391 acres and 344 fires.
Fast responses by ground and air crews help firefighters get a
handle on flames before they have a chance to spread while making
the best use of the resources they have available, Faeth said.
There are nine single engine air tankers, four heavy air tankers
and nine helicopters in Arizona, Pearlberg said. However, those
numbers can change quickly depending on need across the country.
There are only six or seven heavy tankers available in the
entire nation, Faeth said. Most large aircraft have been grounded
since 2002, when two planes dropping fire retardant lost their
wings mid-flight in California and Colorado.
Fortunately for Arizona, there aren't many wildfires blazing in
other parts of the country. That means more federal resources,
including those large air tankers, available to the state, Faeth
said.
But while large crafts can drop more fire retardant in a single
flight, fire crews are taking advantage of the fast turnaround
times smaller planes bring, Pearlberg said.
With so many fast-moving fires, crews also have had to resort to
more indirect methods of fighting fires to assure the firefighters'
safety, said Andy Mandell, fire prevention officer for the Cave
Creek ranger district.
That means using techniques such as fire lines, which keep crews
further away from blazes, instead of positioning firefighters right
next to the blaze and dumping water directly on the flames,
Pearlberg said.
The state is also stepping up efforts to educate residents in
lower elevations to fire dangers to keep fires from starting in the
first place, Faeth said.
Most people assume wild fires are only a problem near forests
and don't take steps to protect their homes, she said. But this
year, fire crews are noticing the opposite.
"We're fighting lowland fires versus forest fires, which have
been a problem in the past few years," Faeth said. "A fire can
start in brush in the middle of the city."
The last significant desert wildfire near a populated area
burned 23,000 acres in north Scottsdale in 1995. No homes were
destroyed.
---
On the Net:
Arizona State Land Department: www.land.state.az.us
Governor's office: www.azgovernor.gov

Fast-moving brush fire forces evacuations near Wickenburg
WICKENBURG, Ariz. (AP) - A fast-moving brush fire charred 1,000
acres by late Wednesday afternoon and forced the evacuation of at
least 30 people from their homes near Wickenburg, authorities said.
The Bobby fire was burning dry grass and brush 20 miles south of
Wickenburg and threatening about 30 mobile homes, cabins and other
structures in the area, according to authorities.
Up to 70 more residents may have to be evacuated by nightfall if
the flames moved closer to their homes, said Ken Palmrose, a
spokesman for the Bureau of Land Management.
Palmrose said the fire was on BLM and private land, and
authorities had already determined that the blaze was human-caused.
The blaze was reported at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday and was burning
in the same area south of Wickenburg as two recent brush fires, one
of which charred three homes earlier this week.
Palmrose said more than 100 firefighters were battling the Bobby
fire along with three heavy air tankers, five single-engine
aircraft and two helicopters.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

WICKENBURG, Ariz. (AP) - A brush fire that evacuated at least 30
people from their homes near Wickenburg was 40 percent contained
Thursday, authorities said.
The 2,000-acre Bobby fire, which threatened mobile homes, cabins
and other structures Wednesday, was not imminently threatening any
structures, said Ken Palmrose, a spokesman for the Bureau of Land
Management.
"The threat is lessened in the whole area," Palmrose said
Thursday. "It's looking real good."
Full containment was expected by Friday morning.
Palmrose said evacuated residents were heading back home soon,
of they hadn't already returned. He said there were no reports of
any injuries or structures lost to the fire.
About 190 firefighters were battling the Bobby fire, enforcing
lines and putting out hot spots.
The fire, which is burning about 10 miles south of Wickenburg,
was reported at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday. It was burning in the same
area south of Wickenburg as two recent brush fires, one of which
charred three homes earlier this week.
The blaze was under investigation, but authorities suspect it
was caused by people.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Wildfire behavior alert issued for Arizona
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - State and federal officials are warning
that the next few days could be some of the most dangerous of
Arizona's wildfire season.
Moisture seeping into the region from Mexico could also spawn
dry thunderstorms along the Arizona-New Mexico border that may
pepper the terrain with lightning.
Calling the weather conditions a "rare event," the
government's Southwest Coordination Center in Albuquerque issued a
"fire behavior alert" that warns the weather "will likely result
in major spread of any existing wildland fires."
Federal officials say the fire danger will be focused in areas
below 7,000 feet elevation.
"The desert country of Arizona is the area of concern because
of the heavy fuel buildup after all the moisture this winter,"
said Ken Palmrose, fire prevention officer for the Bureau of Land
Management.
Palmrose said lower-elevation wildfires that consume grass and
other fine fuels typically die down at night as humidity levels
rebound but that may not be so in coming days.
So far this year, wildfires have charred more than 60,000 acres
of Arizona land.
The blazes were fueled by the wet winter, which allowed
wildflowers, grasses and weeds to flourish only to quickly dry out
when the heat set in.
Weather forecasts possibly through Monday call for increasing
winds and continued dry conditions.
Authorities say dry winds combined with hot temperatures and low
humidity mean wildfires will be easier to start and flames will
spread quicker.
Fire restrictions, including banning campfires and smoking
outside of vehicles, have been imposed throughout most of Arizona's
lower deserts and have been creeping northward and expanding to
public lands across the state.


---
Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. (AP) - A wildfire that prompted the
voluntary evacuations of 15 homes in southern Arizona had grown to
875 acres by Sunday afternoon, officials said.
The homes near Red Mountain, about four miles south of
Patagonia, were evacuated because the canyons in which they are
located have limited access to roads, which would make it difficult
for homeowners to leave if the fire worsened, said Jonetta Holt, a
spokeswoman for fire crews.
The evacuations weren't prompted by a belief that the blaze
would imminently overrun the homes, Holt said.
The Aztec fire was burning about a mile from the structures,
Holt said. None of the fire has been contained.
"It's continuing to creep along the north, but it's not
approaching a point where it's going over any of our lines out
there," Holt said. "It's burning more on interior than making a
huge run."
As a precaution, electricity was turned off at scores of homes
and a few commercial properties in the area.
Portions of the fire burned in steep, rocky terrain and in
narrow canyons, making it difficult for firefighters to attack the
blaze in the Coronado National Forest.
The fire was spotted around 1 p.m. Saturday. There were 391
people fighting the fire using 17 engines, three helicopters and
three airline planes.
Holt said investigators determined the blaze was caused by an
abandoned campfire.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APTV 06-19-05 2239EDT

PHOENIX (AP) - Scottsdale city officials will consider this week
whether to close the McDowell Sonoran Preserve as fire conditions
there continue to worsen.
Fire officials say that the dry and windy weather, coupled with
an unusually heavy growth of grass and vegetation this year,
warrants closing access to about 10,000 acres owned by the city.
"The conditions are nearly perfect for major wildland fire
activity," Scottsdale Fire Chief William McDonald said.
The City Council is scheduled to consider closing the preserve
at its Tuesday meeting.
Only once during its 10-year history - during the 2002
"Rodeo-Chediski" fire in north-central Arizona - has Scottsdale
closed the area to visitors because there were not enough resources
to give the area full fire protection.
---
Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APTV 06-20-05 0313EDT

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. (AP) - A wildfire in southern Arizona was 40
percent contained Monday night after charring 1,300 acres,
authorities said.
The fire, which was spotted Saturday afternoon and caused by an
abandoned campfire, was expected to be fully contained by Friday
night.
Portions of the Aztec fire burned in steep, rocky terrain and in
narrow canyons, making it difficult for firefighters to attack the
blaze in the Coronado National Forest.
But fire spokeswoman Jonetta Holt said crews were able to build
containment lines around the fire near Red Mountain, about four
miles south of Patagonia.
People living in 15 houses in the fire's path were voluntarily
evacuated Sunday but allowed to return home that night.
"We have a good strong line and we're holding it. We have
engines on that piece of line" where the homes are located about
one mile from the fire, Holt said.
Holt said 460 people, three helicopters and two airplanes were
fighting the blaze.
Crews were doing more burnout operations Monday night and Holt
said "there was no movement on the west and south sides" of the
fire.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

GILA BEND, Ariz. (AP) - A huge brush fire is burning on the
Barry Goldwater Air Force Range between Ajo (AH'-ho) and Gila Bend.
The Goldwater Fire is between 15-thousand and 20-thousand acres.
The Bureau of Land Management says the fire is burning along
Highway 85. There are no structures in danger, however there are
concerns the fire could reach power lines that feed Ajo.
The B-L-M says there's been no containment on the fire.
The Goldwater fire was first reported June 17th.

PHOENIX (AP) - Crews fighting a 1,300-acre wildfire in southern
Arizona focused Tuesday on extending a protection line around the
blaze.
The Aztec fire near Red Mountain, about four miles south of
Patagonia, was 50 percent contained and expected to be declared
fully contained by Friday evening.
People living in 15 houses in the fire's path had been
voluntarily evacuated earlier but were allowed to return home
Sunday night.
Utilities also restored electric power service to about 100
homes. Their power had been turned off as precaution.
Portions of the Aztec fire burned in steep, rocky terrain and in
narrow canyons, making it difficult for firefighters to attack the
blaze in the Coronado National Forest.
The fire was first spotted Saturday afternoon and caused by an
abandoned campfire.
About 460 people and three helicopters were fighting the blaze.
---
GOLDWATER FIRE
AJO, Ariz. (AP) - A brush fire grew to 40,000 acres on the Barry
Goldwater Air Force Range north of here by Tuesday night, officials
said.
The fire, which was 10 percent contained, was burning in tall
grass in wide open country, said Ken Palmrose, a spokesman for the
Bureau of Land Management, and Lt. Brady Smith, a spokesman for
Luke Air Force Base.
No structures were threatened. The blaze had threatened power
lines, which were periodically shut down during the fire, Smith
said.
About 30 firefighters were conducting burnout operations. Ten
fire trucks, two heavy air tankers and one plane also were fighting
the fire.
The blaze was under investigation and began in an area where
aircraft do not drop ordnance, Smith said.
The fire was burning 3 miles west of Highway 85, which was
closed between Gila Bend and Ajo on Tuesday afternoon.
---
SUNSET POINT FIRE
CORDES JUNCTION, Ariz. (AP) - A brush fire burning south of here
grew to nearly 6,900 acres Tuesday but was 50 percent contained,
officials said.
No structures were threatened, said Rick Hartigan, a spokesman
for the team fighting the fire.
Authorities said the blaze was no longer threatening
archaeological sites and high voltage power lines that serve
Phoenix.
The Sunset Point fire burned about a mile north of Black Canyon
City, but it was moving away from the community, Hartigan said.
More than 200 firefighters were building lines and mopping up
the fire Tuesday.
A thunderstorm forecast for Tuesday night could hamper
firefighting efforts, Hartigan said. Crews were expected to fight
the fire overnight.
Northbound lanes of Interstate 17 near the fire reopened Tuesday
afternoon, said Frank Valenzuela, a spokesman for the Department of
Public Safety.
Officials urged drivers to proceed carefully as damaged guard
rails along the highway were being restored.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

CORDES JUNCTION, Ariz. (AP) - A brush fire burning south of here
was fully contained Wednesday night at 6,847 acres, officials said.
Wendell Peacock, a spokesman for the team fighting the Sunset
Point fire, said no structures were threatened and the blaze was no
longer threatening power lines.
About 25 firefighters and two engines were mopping up the fire
and putting out hot spots Wednesday night, officials said.
The Sunset Point fire came as close as a mile north of Black
Canyon City, but the blaze was no longer burning near the city,
Peacock said.
Interstate 17 near the fire reopened Tuesday afternoon, but
drivers were advised to proceed carefully because of damaged guard
rails along the highway.
---
AZTEC FIRE
SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. (AP) - Crews worked Wednesday to build more
than two miles of containment lines around a 1,300-acre wildfire in
southern Arizona, officials said.
The lines around the Aztec fire were 50 percent complete, and
full containment was expected by Friday.
While people living in 15 houses in the fire's path had been
voluntarily evacuated earlier in the week, the blaze was no longer
threatening homes and those residents were allowed to return home.
Portions of the Aztec fire burned in steep, rocky terrain and in
narrow canyons, making it difficult for firefighters to attack the
blaze in the Coronado National Forest.
The fire was first spotted Saturday afternoon and caused by an
abandoned campfire.
About 405 people and three helicopters were fighting the blaze.
---
GOLDWATER FIRE
AJO, Ariz. (AP) - A 55,000-acre brush fire on the Barry
Goldwater Air Force Range north of here was 70 percent contained,
authorities said.
Fifty-five firefighters were working on the fire, which had
spread to the Sauceda Mountains south of Gila Bend, said Lt. Brady
Smith, a spokesman for Luke Air Force Base.
The Goldwater fire was expected to be fully contained within the
next three days.
No structures or power lines were threatened.
The fire was burning in steep, rocky terrain in desert landscape
that includes cacti and mesquite, Smith said.
The blaze was under investigation and began in an area where
aircraft do not drop ordnance.
Previously, the fire had prompted officials to close Highway 85,
but it was reopened Tuesday night, Smith said.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

By AMANDA KEIM
Associated Press Writer
CAREFREE, Ariz. (AP) - A wildfire that destroyed at least 10
homes and forced the evacuation of others moved away Thursday from
communities that it had been threatening, fire officials said.
Residents in the Tonto Hills area, which covered a 120-home
subdivision about 20 miles northeast of Phoenix, were being allowed
to return home Thursday night.
Officials said the Cave Creek Complex fire was estimated at
46,000 acres and continuing to grow Thursday night, but wasn't
expected to endanger other populated areas.
The fire, which began Tuesday night as two separate
lightning-caused blazes and merged Wednesday, was 5 percent
contained but officials said there was no estimate for full
containment.
"We're not out of the woods. Are we feeling good about it?
Yes," said Jim Clawson, a liaison officer with the team fighting
the fire.
About 175 people originally were evacuated from 250 homes in
several scattered communities Wednesday.
There was no immediate estimate as to when the remaining
evacuated residents would be able to return to their homes,
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said at a news conference.
Arpaio said 350 sheriff's personnel were escorting the Tonto
Hills residents back to their homes after first checking their
identities and addresses at roadblocks.
Marco D'Ambrosio and his wife were checking on the status of
their Tonto Hills home Thursday night with authorities when they
got the news that they could return.
"I guess we're the lucky ones," D'Ambrosio said.
More than 620 firefighters used roads, ridges and other natural
barriers to help them make a stand against the wildfire Thursday.
They set fires in those areas and allowed them to run toward the
body of the wildfire to burn fuel from its path.
Vincent Francia, the mayor of nearby Cave Creek, said 12 homes
had been lost - 10 cabins in Camp Creek, a recreation area with
several cabins, and two homes in Tonto Hills, a neighborhood made
up of multimillion-dollar homes.
Art Morrison, a spokesman for the firefighting team, said he
didn't know how many buildings had burned but noted that none had
been lost Thursday.
"This fire is likely going to continue to grow but it's not
going to grow in directions that are going to be threatening life
and property," Morrison said.
The fire began as two lightning-sparked blazes Tuesday and
spread quickly in hot, dry and breezy weather.
Two homes in Scottsdale were ordered evacuated Thursday and the
fire jumped Bartlett Dam Lake Road late Thursday afternoon.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office was conducting voluntary
evacuations in the area of Bartlett Lake northeast of Phoenix. The
evacuation included boaters on the water, campsites and the marina.
By Thursday night, about 30 people had been evacuated, according to
Arpaio, who said there were no homes in that area except a
sheriff's cabin.
Helicopters dropped water all day Thursday to drown the fire
around Camp Creek and officials said the area appeared to be out of
danger.
Around Camp Creek, all that was left of some homes were chimneys
or stoves sitting in fields of ash. Flames ran along some trees and
ruins continued to smolder.
At least five destroyed structures were visible in an area
toured by the media. Seven cabins survived, primarily those located
along a creek.
Evacuee Eric Herrman briefly returned to his $1.5 million home
in Tonto Hills on Thursday to retrieve some documents and clothing
for his wife. "It's our dream home," Herrman said. "It took us
five years to build."
Another Tonto Hills resident, Robert Kintz, said he was annoyed
by the evacuations because he didn't think there was any danger. He
said he returned to get some fresh clothes and retrieve a computer
he needed but wasn't taking any other belongings.
"If I had been out there yesterday (Wednesday) instead of
playing golf, I wouldn't have left," said Kintz.
Two 345-kilovolt lines that deliver power from Glen Canyon Dam
to the Phoenix area were de-energized Wednesday for about 90
minutes as the fire burned underneath, said LaVerne Kyriss,
spokeswoman for the Western Area Power Administration, which
controls the lines.
Kyriss said the lines weren't damaged but were turned off to
avoid a potentially dangerous situation. She said the Western Area
Power Administration worked with other utilities to reroute power
and that there were no noticeable effects for nearby residents.
---
Associated Press Writer Beth DeFalco in Phoenix contributed to
this story.
---
On the Net:
National Interagency Fire Center: http://www.nifc.gov

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

PHOENIX (AP) - Fire officials estimate the southern zone of a
nearly 244,000-acre wildfire burning in central Arizona will be
contained by Friday.
The northern zone may take a few additional days to fully
contain, said fire spokesman Dave Killebrew.
Officials said the Cave Creek Complex fire was 95 percent
contained on the south zone and 40 percent contained on the north
zone by Monday night.
They said more than 1,200 people were fighting the fire, which
had charred 212,800 acres in the south zone and 31,150 in the north
zone.
On Monday, crews along the southern zone continued mopping up
and patrolling fire lines. They also started rehabilitation work to
prevent erosion and seeded some of the lines with native grass.
In the north, fire spokesman Chris Papen said burnout operations
had wrapped up ahead of schedule thanks to increased nighttime
humidity and more scattered fuels.
"It's looking real positive," Papen said. "This fire could
have been much more serious. They really did a good job."
Crews up north were also starting rehabilitation efforts.
"We put a fire out and then put the landscape back as best we
can," Papen said.
No communities were being threatened by the fire.
The Cave Creek Complex fire began as two lightning-sparked fires
on June 21 near Cave Creek and within days had forced the
evacuations of some 250 homes northeast of Phoenix. Eleven homes
and three storage sheds were destroyed in that area.
---
On the Net:
National Interagency Fire Center: http://www.nifc.gov/
Cave Creek Fire: http://fireteam-sw.com/whitney/cavecreek/

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)