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'Palace Fire' expected to be contained soon
Michael Struening and Adrian Barrera
Mar. 14, 2007 08:57 PM
Firefighters gaining upper hand on state's first large wildfire of the year[/COLOR][/URL]
After burning between nearly 800 acres in Prescott National Forest, fire officials expect the "Palace Fire" to be contained very soon.
The Palace Fire began Monday near Ash Creek area as a pile burn, where dry vegetation is cut and stacked for burning, fire officials said. Wind and dry fuels expanded the fire beyond prescribed lines, and by Tuesday it had become a wildfire.
On Tuesday night, officials secured the north perimeter of the fire and are now concentrating on the fire's south perimeter.
The fire has burned about 792 acres in the area. A Tuesday night burnout staged by firefighters to control the blaze pushed the total number of acres past 700.
The blaze has caused no injuries or evacuations. Nor has burned any buildings, said Doug Vandergon, acting public information officer for the fire. The Palace Fire is burning at least 10 miles south of Prescott and 10 miles west of Mayer, between Senator Highway and Forest Road 82.
About 100 firefighters, six fire engines and one helicopter are battling the blaze, Vandergon said.
Vandergon said firefighters will likely take a break from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday before resuming Thursday morning.
"I heard them talking about getting 120 meals down to the palace station and (fire officials) were requesting sleeping bags," he said.
Forest Service is in command of the firefighting forces, and many local fire agencies are involved, said Curtis Heaton, fire management officer for Prescott National Forest.
A Forest Service station is the nearest building to the fire, Heaton said.
"There is private property within a mile, and there are some isolated summer homes and cabins with two to three miles," Heaton said. "But none of those are considered threatened."
Vandergon said that weather forecasts predicting up to 25 mph winds had initially caused some concern on Wednesday. However, firefighters battling the blaze have seen little effects from today's winds.
"Everything is holding," Vandergon said.
Michael Struening and Adrian Barrera
Mar. 14, 2007 08:57 PM
Firefighters gaining upper hand on state's first large wildfire of the year[/COLOR][/URL]
After burning between nearly 800 acres in Prescott National Forest, fire officials expect the "Palace Fire" to be contained very soon.
The Palace Fire began Monday near Ash Creek area as a pile burn, where dry vegetation is cut and stacked for burning, fire officials said. Wind and dry fuels expanded the fire beyond prescribed lines, and by Tuesday it had become a wildfire.
On Tuesday night, officials secured the north perimeter of the fire and are now concentrating on the fire's south perimeter.
The fire has burned about 792 acres in the area. A Tuesday night burnout staged by firefighters to control the blaze pushed the total number of acres past 700.
The blaze has caused no injuries or evacuations. Nor has burned any buildings, said Doug Vandergon, acting public information officer for the fire. The Palace Fire is burning at least 10 miles south of Prescott and 10 miles west of Mayer, between Senator Highway and Forest Road 82.
About 100 firefighters, six fire engines and one helicopter are battling the blaze, Vandergon said.
Vandergon said firefighters will likely take a break from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday before resuming Thursday morning.
"I heard them talking about getting 120 meals down to the palace station and (fire officials) were requesting sleeping bags," he said.
Forest Service is in command of the firefighting forces, and many local fire agencies are involved, said Curtis Heaton, fire management officer for Prescott National Forest.
A Forest Service station is the nearest building to the fire, Heaton said.
"There is private property within a mile, and there are some isolated summer homes and cabins with two to three miles," Heaton said. "But none of those are considered threatened."
Vandergon said that weather forecasts predicting up to 25 mph winds had initially caused some concern on Wednesday. However, firefighters battling the blaze have seen little effects from today's winds.
"Everything is holding," Vandergon said.
