Laguna Fire Continues Burning North of Yuma, Illegal Campfires Causing
Additional Threats
Yuma, Ariz. - Fire fighters continue securing fire line on the 751- acre
Laguna Fire along the Colorado River about 15 miles north of Yuma, Ariz.
Fire fighters worked Friday night patrolling and monitoring the
Laguna Fire. The acreage burned is holding at 751 acres and is 70%
contained with full containment May 23, 2011. Smokey conditions will
continue the next few days as piles burn inside the fire.
“We’re making good progress on the Laguna Fire, but illegal campfires
nearby are posing a serious threat,” said BLM Colorado River District Fire
Management Officer Mike Trent. “Our night patrols encountered 5 campers
with illegal campfires. We’re in Fire Restrictions now and campfires are
only allowed in developed recreation areas using agency installed fire
rings. The last thing we need now is a new fire within a fire.”
Trent continued, “Yuma County closed the #E7 Road to Mittry Lake and
Laguna Dam – and people are driving around the barricade and impeding fire
vehicle traffic. The closure is being enforced this weekend. In addition,
boaters are approaching the helicopters while they dip water bucks in
Mittry Lake to drop on the fire hotspots. It’s creating a very dangerous
situation – both for the boaters and the helicopters. We realize it’s a
beautiful weekend, but we’re asking the public to please stay out of the
area for the next couple days while we get the fire wrapped up and all the
equipment moved out.”
Arizona Type III Incident Management Team (Morrison) is continuing to
manage the Laguna Fire. Today, 60 fire fighters are using engines, two
helicopters, and two fire boats to pump water directly on hotspots, are
secure fire line.
Fire fighters continued water drops today using two helicopters,
using two fire boats to pump water directly on the flames, dozer work, and
hand crews building fire line.
Suppressing the Laguna Fire has been a major interagency cooperative
effort including engines and crews from the Rural/Metro, Department of
Corrections, Imperial County, and Yuma Proving Grounds Fire Departments ;
and crews from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,
and Bureau of Land Management.
The Laguna Fire was reported May 18 and appears to be human caused
and is under investigation.
All fire fighting agencies in southern Arizona want to remind people
that Fire Restrictions are in effect and ask people to be careful outdoors.
The restrictions will continue until conditions warrant rescinding.
For fire restriction information in Arizona and New Mexico:
Call Toll Free: 1-877-864-6985
Visit the website: www.publiclands.org/firenews
