News Release 9/03/09
Incident: Water Wheel Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/3/2009
Water Wheel Fire
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Contact number before noon - (928) 468-5248
Thursday, September 03, 2009, 8:00 a.m. Contact number after noon - (928) 474-7900
Acres: 773 Start date: August 30, 2009
Cause: Under Investigation Location: 13 miles northeast of Payson, AZ
Containment: 90 percent Fuels: Ponderosa pine, manzanita, oak brush
Terrain: Steep, rugged Resources: 8 crews, 10 engines, 2 water tender, 3 dozers
Total personnel: 326 Available air support: 4 helicopters
Management of the Water Wheel Fire will transfer from the Arizona Central West Zone Incident Management Team to a local Type IV Incident Management Team from the Tonto National Forest at 6 p.m. today.
Construction of fire line has been completed around the perimeter of the fire. Firefighters will continue to hold the line and mop up. Rehabilitation of fire lines is occurring where the fire has cooled.
The fire area remains closed to the public. Public access in the area is restricted to the roadways and private property. Houston Mesa Road between Beaver Valley and Whispering Pines remains closed. Whispering Pines is only accessible by the Control Road. This closure is due to the presence of rolling debris, hazard trees overhanging the road, and burned guard rails.
After noon today, any public inquiries should be directed to (928) 474-7900.
For maps, photos or more information visit http://www.inciweb.org/.
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