Poco Fire fading into the sunset

POCO FIRE UPDATE

Late Sunday, June 24

[Gazette Blog Editor's note: With this post, the Gazette Blog will discontinue Poco Fire updates unless something unexpected happens.]

YOUNG, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona Type 2 Incident Management Team announced tonight that the Poco Fire, northeast of Young, Arizona is 65 percent contained and command transfers tomorrow to the Central West Zone Interagency Type 3 team. 

  

“I am very pleased with the work that our team accomplished on the Poco Fire and want to assure communities that the incoming team will continue to patrol the Poco Fire and be available for new starts,” said Incident Commander Matt Reidy.

Forest Road 512 to Young remains closed as crews patrol and mop-up around the fire’s perimeter. Local residents and visitors are advised to keep out of the fire zone and to not ride ATVs, UTVs, or quads anywhere near or in the fire zone as hazards, such as falling trees, rolling rocks, and burning stumps still exist.

On Sunday, 250 firefighters were demobilized; 150 more will depart Monday. As firefighters from the Type 2 team depart, every vehicle is inspected and sent through a “weed wash” to stop the spread of the Yellow Star Thistle weed into other communities and states. 

The Central West Zone Interagency Type 3 team assumes command at 6:00 a.m. Monday with four engines two hot shot crews, air support, water tenders, and a dozer for a total of 110 personnel stationed at the Young Community Center.  The public is now advised to contact the Pleasant Valley Ranger District at 928-462-4300 for Poco Fire updates.

At the height of the Poco Fire, 768 personnel were stationed in Young who traveled from Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, and Wisconsin to protect the central Arizona communities.  Six community meetings were held within eight days in the towns of Young, Forest Lakes, Colcord, Heber, and Payson and two Fire Camp tours conducted.  Five firefighters were injured; no structures were burned.

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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.