#WallowFire Morning EASTERN PERIMETER update 06/10/11 9:18

#WallowFire Morning EASTERN PERIMETER update 06/10/11 10:00 NM
Note: numbers here have been updated since original post
Gila National Forest
Jeff Pendleton
Incident Commander
PNW Team 3

Fire Update . 06/10/2011 10:00 a.m.

Management of suppression activities on the Wallow Fire is now divided into three areas, or zones. This update provides information on activities occurring on the East Zone of the fire. For more information about the other zones, please visit www.InciWeb.org or www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf.

Pacific Northwest Incident Command Team 3, Jeff Pendleton, Incident Commander assumed command of the eastern portion (zone 2) of the Wallow Fire this morning.

There was active burning on the eastern perimeter Thursday, with the fire continuing to be driven by wind, terrain and the dry fuels.

The suppression strategy for the fire’s eastern flank includes establishing a containment area using a combination of natural barriers, line building and burnout operations.

Firefighters are coordinating with the adjoining zones as they look for opportunities to connect natural barriers to establish and strengthen containment lines. They will continue to focus the bulk of their resources on providing structure protection and are working to keep the fire south of Luna.

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Quick Facts

Wallow Fire . All Zones

• Location: Eastern Arizona
• Approximate Size: 386,453
• Fire Containment: 5%
• Start Date: May 29, 2011
• Cause: Under Investigation
• Incident Commanders:
•   Joe Reinarz - North Zone
•   Jeff Pendleton - East Zone
•   Duggar Hughes - West & SW Zone
• Resources on the Fire:    17 dozers, 221 engines, 66 tenders, 14 helicopters
• Total Personnel: 3,137

New Mexico's National Guard has joined the effort with approximately 150 Soldiers and Airmen. The New Mexico National guard is assisting emergency management agencies with necessary evacuations and safety and security issues. The low relative humidity and extremely dry fuels continue to provide the potential for extreme fire behavior. Winds on the eastern portion of the fire should be lighter today with temperature in the 70fs and humidity levels much like yesterday.