Water Wheel Fire
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Contact number – (928) 246-8560
Monday, August 31, 2009, 10:00 a.m.
(520) 404-7892

Acres: 500
Start date: August 30, 2009
Cause: Under Investigation Location:
13 miles northeast of Payson, AZ
Containment: 10 percent
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, manzanita, oak brush
Terrain: Steep, rugged
Resources: 5 crews, 15 engines, 1 water tender
Total personnel: 192
Available air support: 3 helicopters, 2 air tankers

At 10:00 p.m. on August 30, 2009, the Arizona Central West Zone Incident Management Team, Tony Sciacca, Incident Commander, assumed management of the Water Wheel Fire on the Payson Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest.

There will be a public meeting this evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Payson High School old gymnasium to update the residents on the fire.

Both Beaver Valley and Whispering Pines subdivisions continue to be evacuated. Road closures in the area include: FR 199 and FR 198, FR 199 and the road to Freedom Acres (FR 1357), FR 64 and FR 199 at Whispering Pines, FR 64 and FR 1190, FR 64 and FR 198, and FR 64 and FR 233.

Public information: Payson Ranger District: 928-474-7900.

Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2009 6:43 PM
Subject: Water Wheel Fire, NE of Payson
Update: Sun,., Aug. 30, 1830 hrs.
Contact: Incident Information Officer
602-525-1042

Water Wheel fire on the Tonto National Forest in Payson, Ariz.

Summary: The Water Wheel fire, north of Payson, Ariz, began in the vicnity of the Water Wheel Campground which is located on Houston Mesa Road (Rt. 199). The fire began south of Whispering Pines subdivision. It was reported around 1352 hours today. The Gila County Sheriff’s office is evacuating Water Wheel campground and Whispering Pines subdivision. We have no further information about the subdivision at this time.

Fire Name: Water Wheel fire
Time/Date Started: Sunday, August 30, 1352 hrs
Location: Houston Mesa Road (Rt. 199) north of Payson, in the vicinity of Water Wheel campground and south of Whispering Pines subdivision.
Acres: 150 acres
Cause: Unknown
Fuels:
Resources committed:
2 Heavy air tankers
1 helicopter
15 engines
Type 2 incident management team has been ordered

Media contact: Tammy Pike, Incident Information Officer, 602-525-1042
Helpful websites;
www.azein.gov
http://www.inciweb.org/
http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/

Dinghy Digest ®