This says the fire is at 1250 acres..........just off the scanner from the 0530 Briefing, it's now at 1550 acres
http://www.azcentral.com
Wildfire spreads
Fire: Special crew helps battle 1,250-acre blaze Drought: 2006 nearing worst year in a century
Michael Clancy
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 9, 2006 12:00 AM
A specialized firefighting crew took over responsibility Wednesday for the "February" fire burning along the Mogollon Rim.
The move indicated how seriously officials are taking the 1,250-acre fire, which spread rapidly through rugged country that has not received normal winter rain and snow. Last year, the first fire on the Tonto National Forest to reach this size began in May.
Emily Garber of the Tonto National Forest said specialized teams are called in when a fire is deemed to be too complex for local firefighters. Factors such as the dryness of the forest, the proximity to homes or other structures and how the fire is moving are considered when calling in advanced crews. advertisement
"These are more experienced firefighters with a more formalized setup," she said.
This week's fire has confirmed officials' fears of an early and long wildfire season this year because of the severely dry conditions.
Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona expressed concern that not enough money is available in the proposed federal budget to prevent and contain wildfires in a time of drought.
In a letter to President Bush, Kyl cited proposed reductions in funds used to prevent and fight fires and to promote healthy forests. "The situation is reaching a critical point as the Southwest prepares to confront an unparalleled fire season," he said.
Kyl's letter echoed concerns expressed by Gov. Janet Napolitano in late December letters to the secretaries of Interior and Agriculture, which oversee federal lands.
"The fire season already has begun," Kyl wrote, citing the February fire.
Unexpected nighttime winds, forest dryness and an abundance of dead trees, logs and other plants are fueling the fire, which grew to 1,250 acres on Wednesday. The fire started at an abandoned campfire atop the Rim.
Wind was calm during the day, though firefighters were bracing for a late-afternoon surge of wind generated by the warming of the day. On Wednesday, the temperature reached 71 in Payson, about 10 miles south of the fire, about 14 degrees above normal for Feb. 8.
Garber said firefighters are establishing a perimeter and stationing equipment at Camp Geronimo, a Boy Scout facility about two miles away, in the event the fire gets close enough to threaten it.
Boy Scout executive Larry Abbott said that no one is at the camp, used by 9,000 campers during the summer, and that it is not believed to be in danger.
Garber said summer home communities and a Girl Scout camp to the east, as well as Pine and Strawberry to the west, are not threatened.
A prescribed burn conducted two months ago around structures at Bray Creek Ranch, near the Scout camp, proved effective, Garber said. The fire skirted that area, which is exactly what is supposed to happen. By burning dry timber and clearing away brush, there is no fuel to feed wildfires.
Garber said three helicopters were dropping water on the fire, and two air tankers were en route. About 170 firefighters are fighting the fire and nine fire engines are on hand.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality deployed air-monitoring equipment near Payson, Pine and Strawberry to keep track of air quality.
"We want to notify the public immediately if the smoke poses a risk," department Director Steve Owens said.
"We want to make sure that we take every precaution to protect area residents from any potential health effects from the smoke."
The "February" Fire has grown to 400 acres, started late Monday night in the area hit hardest by the Western Bark Beetle........this is what's REALLY making it bad. The area, on U.S. Highway 260 between Payson and Christopher Creek just below the Mogollon Rim. Winds are gusting to 35 MPH in the area of the fire. ONCE the fire reaches the top of the Rim.....it's a clear shot to Show Low, Pinetop and surrounding areas. The area that's burning has an estimated 20 "million" DEAD Ponderosa Pines thanks to the beetle......they are matchsticks soaked in gasoline waiting to burn 
Mother Nature knows FAR better than man and his modern technology in what needs to be done. I blame the radical ENVIRON"MENTALISTS" for the conditions in the forests now......overgrown and choking itself to death with undergrowth. I also put the current Administration on the hot seat for these conditions! Fire is NATURAL and with the USDA's Plan of Action until LAST year, was to supress the fires, even the little ones that are needed to clean the forest floors........that has since changed thanks to Congress.
