By Jon Johnson
MOUNT TURNBULL -The Geronimo Hotshot crew responded to a fire on the lower slopes of Mount Turnbull in steep, rugged terrain on Thursday at about 4 p.m. for a new fire start called the Turnbull Fire. According to the San Carlos Apache Forest Resources Program—Forestry, the Geronimo crew made good progress turning the fire into a two-track road.
Mount Turnbull is located southwest of Bylas. As of Friday morning, the fire was listed at its initial 50 acres with 0 percent containment. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A single-engine air tanker (SEAT) from Rutledge Airborne, based in Casa Grande, assisted with three drops over the fire. A separate fire, identified half a mile east of the Turnbull Fire, was also responded to.
The Hotshot crew and an additional fire module crew are expected to work the perimeter of both fires on Friday, progressing work to increase containment.
For daily updates on the Air Quality Index (AQI), visit www.map.purpleair.com
The area is currently in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, meaning no campfires or building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal fire, or firewood, including in developed campgrounds or improved sites (Talkalai Lake, San Carlos Lake, and higher). For any questions, contact (928) 475-2326 ext. 352 or 321.
