Burnout Completed For Jacket Fire

Release Date: Jul 7, 2004

Contact(s): Coconino Supervisor's Office - 928-527-3600

Flagstaff, AZ - Crews taking advantage of westerly winds worked through the night Tuesday to complete a burnout along the 345 KV power line threatened by the Jacket Fire. The burnout was intended to remove dry fuels between the on-coming fire and the power line in order to starve the fire before it is able to burn too close. Not including the acreage from burnout operations, the Jacket Fire has burned approximately 13,000 acres. In addition to the burnout operations yesterday helicopters and air tankers dropped several loads of retardant on the Jacket Fire and were highly effective at slowing the spread of the fire, allowing ground firefighters greater opportunity to stop the spread of the fire toward the KV power line.

Today, fire officials plan to have approximately 140 firefighters working on the Jacket Fire with their primary concerns being firefighter safety and protection of the 345 KV power line. In addition to the ground firefighting resources, three helicopters will be used to help firefighters maintain and strengthen fire lines.

A fire information center has been set up to provide information and updates to the public and the media. For questions and updates, please call 928-226-4601.