Poco Fire grows to 8,000 acres
Jun 20, 2012, 9:37 AM | Updated: 9:38 am
PHOENIX — The Poco Fire east of Payson has grown to more than 8,000 acres and a pair of major power transmission lines that provide energy to Phoenix and Tucson are down for the second day.
The fire, which is 15 percent contained, is spreading rapidly to the east. Today crews will contend with an excessive heat warning issued by the National Weather Service.
SRP’S Patty Likens said there were no disruptions Tuesday, when Valley temperatures reached close to 110 degrees.
The utility company has other resources to tap into, said Likens, and there shouldn’t be power disruptions today, either.
“We’re keeping an eye on demand today and our hope is that this line will be back in service today,” she said.
There are 650 firefighters from 12 states battling the fire, including 11 hotshot crews, a half-dozen 20-person crews, 24 engines, five dozers, 14 water tenders, and four helicopters.
