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Edge Complex backs down; Beeline reopens

By Jim Keyworth, Roundup staff reporter

Saturday, July 23, 2005

John Dryer Photo Tonto Basin and Sunflower residents are returning home as firefighters and cooperative weather get the upper hand on the Edge Complex Fire.

"The news is all good today," Fire Information Officer Sandi Ault said Saturday morning.

The Edge Complex Fire, which threatened Tonto Basin, Punkin Center, Sunflower and the communications center on Mt. Ord, is no longer considered a serious threat.

"The fire is really backing down," Ault said. "The weather is cooperating. We're looking for some rain to come in, and there are no structures threatened or lost."

Highway 87 reopened Friday night, and firefighters expect no further closures.

"We have crews working along Highway 87, but we're not even slowing traffic down," Ault said.

The developments are a stark contrast to Friday when Sunflower was evacuated and firefighters were forced to abandon positions on Mt. Ord when the fire reached a trigger point.

The Edge Complex reached 70,220 acres as of Saturday morning and is 40 percent contained. Full containment is expected Monday.

"Today's operations are structure protection," Ault said. "We're really working under that 345 KV power line that runs to Phoenix to watch for spotting and make sure that's protected."

Jeff Whitney's Type 1 Incident Management Team arrived last night, but is only shadowing the Type 2 team because of the fire's rapid deterioration.

"We really feel this fire is going to back down and it'll be over real soon," Ault said.

For up to date highway closure and restriction information, visit www.az511.com or call 511 or 1-888-ROAD (7623).

See Original Story: Fire closes Beeline, Highway 188; Tonto Basin, Sunflower evacuated