Crews working to save power lines on Arizona blaze
Jun 17, 2012, 11:38 AM | Updated: 3:27 pm
PHOENIX — Firefighters are focusing on protecting electrical transmission
lines near a blaze on the Tonto National Forest in northern Arizona.
About 500 firefighters are battling the 3,100-acre Poco fire, about 6 miles
northeast of Young.
If weather conditions permit, firefighters are hoping to conduct burnout
operations Sunday to remove vegetation around the two 500-kilovolt
power lines and secure fire lines.
Fire crews say that hot weather and steep slopes remain a concern.
Firefighters also are on the alert for thunderstorms and possible lightning
strikes.
Crews say that aircraft helped slow the fire’s growth Saturday and helped
firefighters on the ground.
The fire remains 15 percent contained.
Meanwhile the National Weather Service is urging Arizonans to be cautious
because conditions in the state are dry, hot and windy.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
