Saturday, June 11, 2011

#WallowFire - Sher Brown reports from Luna fire briefing 06/11/11 19:00 hrs

#WallowFire - Sher Brown reports from Luna fire briefing 06/11/11 19:00 hrs
Sher Brown is Local Wallow Fire Liaison for Catron County

Luna Community Meeting June 11, 2011 19:00

Jeff Pendelton, IC for Pacific Northwest, Type 1 team spoke first. He said there are currently 3 Type 1 teams on the fire. The PNW team is responsible for Hwy 180 to 191. He said they were making good progress on the north end of the fire. They are still dealing with the area around Greer.

The primary objective for Zone 2 (around Luna) is to keep the fire out of Luna. Secondary objectives are to protect the major power lines that are running through this area - both Navapache and Tucson electric, and to protect the livestock in the area.

Operations Chief, Dan Vendrasco spoke next. He stated that they felt strongly that Luna is safe and won't need to be evacuated. They have been busy bring the backfire line down Rd.220. The original plan was to bring it all the way to Luna, but they changed their minds and decided to head it off at the ridge north of Luna. If the line holds, it should skirt Luna all together. In the Dry Blue and Turkey Creek area, the fire has been pushing hard, but today they made some headway and are starting to pinch it off. They hope to secure it tonight. There is a line along 191 and they feel confident they can hold it. However, if they can't, there is a plan to do a back burn along 281.

Luna remains in a pre-evacuation status.

For Zone 2 fire information: 575-533-6928

General fire update: The fire is 5% contained, with containment lines established on the fire's northeast side. Improved weather conditions allowed for successful burnout operations along the 273 road near Greer, in Water Canyon south of Eager, and northeast of Alpine. Today's activities include structure protection, continued burnout and mop up operations to strengthening containment lines, and patrol for spots. Burnout operations will continue into New Mexico east of Luna along Hwy 220.

117 law enforcement officers from multiple jurisdictions are working with the incident to ensure public and firefighter safety, as well as protection of property during evacuations.

For road closure information, go to www.azdot.gov

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