PAYSON (NAZT) – Firefighters have gained the upper hand on the Water Wheel Fire, which at one point caused the evacuation of the small communities of Whispering Pines and Beaver Valley, is now 90 percent contained at 773 acres.
The Arizona Central West Zone Incident Management Team will transfer management of the fire to a local Tonto National Forest Type IV Incident Management Team tonight at 6 p.m.
326 firefighters are still working the fire. The fire area is still closed to the public, with local access to private driveways allowed for residents only. Houston Mesa Road is closed between Beaver Valley and Whispering Pines. Whispering Pines is only accessible by the Control Road.
For more information, contact the Payson Ranger District at (928) 474-7900.
Recently Posted Comments