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Thursday, June 19, 2003
- 6:00 p.m
Estimated size:
2000+ acres Fuel type: Ponderosa pine, juniper, chaparral
Cause: Human Estimated
containment: 10% Full
Containment: Unknown
Closures:
Forest Road 609 off Highway 188.
Cholla Campground at Roosevelt Lake, including
the boat launch ramp has been closed to the public as the area is being
used for the fire camp.
Resources: Total Personnel: 451
20-Member Crews: 14 Type 1 (Hotshot) crews; 5 Type 2 Crews
Equipment: Engines: 8 Watertenders:
1 Dozers:
2
Aircraft: Helicopters: 3 Tankers
2
Red Flag Conditions Expand the Picture Fire
- Fanned
by strong southerly winds, the Picture Fire in the Tonto National
Forest, north of Roosevelt Lake made
multiple runs on Thursday afternoon.
- Sustained
winds of 15 miles per hour, gusting to 25, along with high temperatures
and low humidity resulted in red flag conditions, making firefighting
more difficult and hazardous.
- After
having made substantial progress during the morning, firefighters
were forced back from the line due to the extreme, erratic fire
behavior, spotting up to a quarter mile and rapid rates of spread.
- Due
to safety considerations, the area surrounding the fire and the entirety
of Forest Road 609 are closed to public access. Only official vehicles engaged in fire
response are permitted on those roads.
The roads in the vicinity of the fire are narrow, steep and
rough. Coordination of the movement of vehicles,
equipment and personnel to and from the fire is essential.
For more information visit the
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