While there has been some impact to APS infrastructure due to the Backbone Fire, there are no customers without power at this time because of fire activity and disruption in service is not currently anticipated. (APS) is working closely with the agencies responding to wildfires across the state. Motorists are advised to visit for current road closures before traveling.Īrizona Public Service Co. State Route 87 is closed at milepost 270 north of Pine to Clints Well. Road Closures: State Route 260 is closed between Camp Verde and State Route 87. Please check the website for your specific National Forest for closure notifications. Public Land Closures: Because of the extreme fire danger, many of the National Forests in Arizona have been, or soon will be closed to protect public health and safety. The fire continues to remain on the east side of the Verde River. On the east side of the fire, crews will be working at removing excess water handling equipment around Strawberry and Pine. Crews are also working on chipping debris along the State Route 260 corridor. They are being supported by drones with infrared and aircraft will conduct bucket drops as needed. Fire crews are working the fire’s edge looking for any hot spots that remain. Fuels have dried out from the recent rains and increased fire activity is possible with the low humidity and strong winds. Today will be hot and dry with stronger winds out of the northeast. Origin/Location: Approximately 12 miles west of Pine and Strawberry, Arizona Increased Fire Danger Today.(Image from Prescott National Forest) Backbone Fire June 27 Morning Update: Retardant slows the progression of the fires until crews can gain ground access to them. More than a dozen wildfires are currently burning in Arizona, most notably the Telegraph and Mescal Fires southeast of Phoenix, near Globe/Superior, which has burned 237,000 acres, according to officials.A Large Air Tanker refueling before making another retardant drop on fires north of Chino Valley. Rim Country Middle School in Payson is the Red Cross evacuation center for Strawberry and Pine evacuees.Ī shelter was also established at the Payson High School Dome as of Saturday night. This is a time where if they've left their homes, we can't control that and just leave it in the hands of our brave men who are out there fighting it for us,” says Linda Gibson, Payson USD superintendent. At the same time, it's here if they need it. “It may not be the most comfortable-like home but we will do the best we can to make it like home. They are trying to accommodate all situations. The Payson Unified School District says they are here to help those people, along with their pets and livestock. Some say it took them an hour and a half to get there. I was hoping that some of the older people that I know stay safe, I think they're out by now."Įvacuees were stuck in traffic on their way to Payson. "I've been there for 25 years I've started from the ground up. "My neighbor called me from the Valley and he says ‘hey, it's GO, get out of there now.’ So, we did,” says Olivia Schiffer, who was also evacuated from Pine. The hot, dry, and windy weather conditions have presented challenges to crews, along with limited access to the area. The Backbone Fire sparked by lightning on June 16. The dog food, the chicken food, get the chickens in the car and the dog in the car, some water, and off we went,” says Rockwell. "Hurry up and pack up the last of the stuff. He hasn't had to evacuate for a fire since Rodeo-Chediski in 2002. John Rockwell is just thankful he could grab his chickens, Iris and Lily. "The house can burn down but not the pets,” says John Rockwell, who was evacuated from Pine. It was a quick evacuation order for residents of Strawberry and Pine, too.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |