Wallow Fire Fraud Alert

HORNE ISSUES WARNING:

WALLOW FIRE DISASTER ATTRACTS CONSUMER FRAUD AND SCAMS

PHOENIX (Thursday, June 9, 2011) -- Attorney General Tom Horne issued a warning today that Arizonans need to be wary of consumer scams and other fraudulent schemes that may appear as criminal predators take advantage of the disastrous Wallow Fire.

“Disasters such as the Wallow Fire often bring out the very best in people who work cooperatively to help each other. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true as scam artists and frauds use the tragedy to exploit vulnerable victims or con generous people into giving to fraudulent charities,” Horne said.

“My office is releasing a guide to protecting yourself from fraudulent schemes,” he added. “It is important that all Arizonans, whether they are personally affected by the Wallow Fire or the other fires that are currently burning in the state get this information so they are not further victimized in an already tragic situation.”

Among the tips that fire victims need to consider are:
•If you have insurance, contact your insurance company first and file your claim. Your insurance company’s adjuster will provide an estimate.
•Whether you are insured or not, obtain at least two estimates on work in writing before choosing a contractor to repair your home or remove debris.
•Never enter into or sign a contract while reviewing it quickly.
•Don’t pay for services you have yet to receive. Make progress payments as the terms of your agreement are being met.

The consumer guide also cautions people about potentially fraudulent charities:

•To help victims of the Wallow Fire or other Arizona fire disasters, consider donating to nationally known and legitimate charities, like the Red Cross, rather than charities that you may not recognize.
•Don’t judge a charity by its name. False charities may use names that closely resemble legitimate charities.
•Don’t let callers play on your sympathy by identifying their organization with the fire. This can be a tactic to get your money.
•Don’t be pressured. Give only when you are comfortable with the charity.
•Avoid cash donations and make checks payable to the organization, not to an individual.

The full Wildfire Consumer Protection Warning guide is available at:

http://www.azag.gov/consumer/DISASTER_RECOVERY_CONSUMER_HANDOUT.pdf

Laguna Fire 100% Contained!

As of 2000 hours on May 24, 2011,

the Laguna Fire north of Yuma Arizona is

100% Contained.

Contained does NOT mean the fire is out.

The three hotspots within the 751 acre perimeter were successfully

mitigated on Tuesday, with no new flames seen at this hour.

The public is urged to stay clear of the Laguna Dam / Betty's Kitchen

Recreation Areas (and this includes boat launching at Mittry Lake) as trees

are still smoldering and smoking) and fire crews remain on scene.

Reward for Information on Laguna Fire

Holding at 751 Acres – 90% Contained

(Yuma, Az.)—Fire investigators are working the scene Monday of the Laguna
Fire north of Yuma, Arizona where 751 acres have burned since May 18, 2011.
The fire is being investigated as human caused; and today, officials are
asking the public for information.

A reward of up to $10,000 is available for information that leads to a  conviction. Call 1-800-47-ARSON or
visit the web site at www. wetip.com

Fire Restrictions are in effect in southern Arizona that prohibit
campfires, smoking on public lands, and recreational target shooting during
the fire season. Lighting fireworks within federal lands is never allowed;
tossing cigarette butts or any trash is also illegal. Whether accidental
or intentional, people are responsible for their actions.

The Incident Command of the Laguna Fire is targeting full containment for
Tuesday, May 24, 2011- meaning that the perimeter of the fire would have a
strong line around it (fireline) aimed at keeping the flames from jumping
to unburned areas.

Full containment does not mean that the fire is out. The Laguna Fire is
still burning Monday inside of the perimeter with at least three problem
areas. Yuma area residents should expect to see smoke and occasional
flare-ups for several days and stay away from the Mittry Lake, Laguna Dam,
and Betty’s Kitchen recreational areas. Avenue 7E that leads to the Rec
sites remains closed on Monday.

45 firefighting personnel remain on the ground on Monday. The Fish &
Wildlife Service fire boats continue to battle hotspots along the Colorado
River. A helicopter remains on scene Monday that gets water from the river
and lake and drops it on hotspots.

The Laguna Fire began Wednesday, May 18, on the California side of the
Colorado River; it jumped to Arizona and tracked north along the popular
recreation sites at Laguna Dam and Mittry Lake. Several historical sites
were damaged or destroyed and wildlife habitat was burned.

Suppressing the Laguna Fire has been a major interagency cooperative effort
with crews remaining on scene from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fish &
Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and Az. State Forestry.
Early cost estimates are now at $300,000.

For fire restriction information in Arizona and New Mexico:
Call Toll Free: 1-877-864-6985
Visit the website: www.publiclands.org/firenews

Laguna Fire 90% Contained but....

Laguna Fire 90% Contained –
High Winds and Hotspots Could Delay Containment

(Yuma, Az.)—The Incident Commander of the Laguna Fire tonight advises that
the target for full containment of the 751-acre blaze is now more likely to
occur on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 than on Monday.

Firefighters are working now inside the fire’s perimeter where several
hotspots of smoldering or creeping flames burn close to pockets of unburned
vegetation. Sunday’s higher winds and unburned vegetation fueled
interior flames. “While it looks like the fire it out, it is deceiving.

There are many pockets of heat below the ground and unburned vegetation
that could start a flare-up. This is the time when it takes slow and
methodical work to cool down the interior and ensure that fire doesn’t jump
our containment line,” says James Stewart, a Type 3T incident commander .

Yuma County Sheriff Deputies were on scene Sunday turning spectators away.
The Avenue 7E Road remains closed as emergency personnel are working
through the Laguna Dam and Mittry Lake recreation area. A helicopter is
fighting the fire by dipping a huge bucket into the waters and dropping
water from the air on the interior fire where, on Sunday, plumes of thick
black smoke rose above the Yuma skies.

Fire investigators continue the investigation as human caused. Information
leading to a conviction is worth up to a $10,000 reward. Call
1-800-47-ARSON or go to www.wetip.com

To date there have not been any injuries to firefighters, though an
individual was taken to the hospital today for evaluation after hiking
soreness and was returned to full duty. Crews were assigned Sunday to hike
to remote locations where they aggressively reinforced the fireline.
Bulldozers improved containment lines that to date have kept the footprint
at 751 acres for several days.

The Laguna Fire began Wednesday, May 18, on the California side of the
Colorado River; it jumped to Arizona and tracked north along the popular
recreation sites at Laguna Dam and Mittry Lake. Several historical sites
were damaged or destroyed and wildlife habitat was burned.

Suppressing the Laguna Fire has been a major interagency cooperative effort
with crews remaining on scene from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fish &
Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and Az. State Forestry.
Early cost estimates are now at $300,000.

Campers are reminded that Fire Restrictions are in place that prohibit
campfires, smoking, and target shooting on public lands in southern
Arizona. 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

Laguna Fire north of Yuma 50% contained - AZ FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Yuma, Ariz. - Fire fighters are progressing on the Laguna Fire
along the Colorado River about 15 miles north of Yuma, Ariz.

Fire fighters made good progress Thursday on the Laguna Fire. The
acreage burned is approximately 800 acres. Currently the
fire is estimated at 50% contained with full containment Monday, May 23, 2011.

Fifty fire fighters worked Thursday night securing the southern end
of the fire and putting out flare-ups on the California side. Fire
activity continues to be in islands of vegetation inside the fire
perimeter.

An Arizona Type III Incident Management Team (Morrison) assumed
responsibility for the Laguna Fire Friday morning.

“We’re asking folks to please avoid the Mittry Lake area for the next
few days,” said BLM Colorado River District Fire Management Officer Mike
Trent. “We realize it’s an inconvenience, but we appreciate the public’s
cooperation while we get this fire contained. Access for our fire crews
and equipment is challenging.”

Friday’s activity will focus on continued water drops using two
helicopters, using two fire boats to pump water directly on the flames,
dozer work, and hand crews building fire line.

Approximately 130 fire fighters are working the Laguna Fire 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. Fifty fire fighters and two engines will work through the night
tonight taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and higher humidities.


The Laguna Fire was reported May 18 and is burning in salt cedar,
willow, cottonwood, and mesquite in the Colorado River riparian area. The
fire started in California on the Quechan Reservation and hopped the river
into Arizona. The fire appears to be human caused and is under
investigation. Approximately 95% of the fire is in Arizona.

All fire fighting agencies in southern Arizona want to remind people
that Fire Restrictions are in effect and ask people to be careful outdoors.

Currently there are no plans to close any areas along the Colorado River
area to public use.

Fire Restrictions prohibit the following acts:


1. Open campfires, charcoal grills, and stove fires. Campfires and
charcoal grills are only permitted in developed recreation sites or
improved sites, where agency-built fire rings or grills are provided.
The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices is
allowed on public lands provided such devices meet the fire
underwriter’s specifications for safety.


2. Smoking. Smoking is restricted to enclosed buildings, within a
vehicle and on a paved or surface road, within a developed recreation
site, or while stopped in an area at least six feet in diameter that
is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

3. Use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices.


4. Welding or the use of any torch or metal cutting implement.


Spring rains resulted in the growth of wildflowers, grasses, and
other vegetation that is now drying, dying, and poised to become fuel for
wildfires as temperatures increase. 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

Laguna Fire burns north of Yuma UPDATE

UPDATED!
Laguna Fire Continues Burning North of Yuma








Yuma, Ariz. - A wildfire has burned approximately 400-600 acres along the Colorado River

about 15 miles north of Yuma, Ariz.

Yuma, Ariz. - Fire fighters are holding the 400- acre Laguna Fire along the Colorado River about 15 miles north of Yuma, Ariz. Fire fighters made good progress Thursday on the Laguna Fire. The acreage burned is unchanged at approximately 400-600 acres. Currently the fire is estimated at 40% contained with full containment May 23, 2011.

Mapping will be done later today or early Friday.

Most of the fire activity today occurred in islands of vegetation inside the fire perimeter. Fire fighters used two helicopters - Type 1 and Type 3 - to drop water on the fire taken from nearby Mittry Lake. A fire boat operating on the Colorado River pumped water directly on the flames.

Approximately 130 fire fighters are working the Laguna Fire 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. Fifty fire fighters and two engines will work through the night tonight taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and higher humidities.


The Laguna Fire was reported May 18 and is burning in salt cedar,
willow, cottonwood, and mesquite in the Colorado River riparian area. The
fire started in California and hopped the river into Arizona. The fire
appears to be human caused and is under investigation. Approximately 95%
of the fire is in Arizona.

The fire grew quickly and burned one historic structure in the
Betty’s Kitchen Recreation area on the California side. A BLM water truck
was damaged as well.

All fire fighting agencies in southern Arizona want to remind people
that Fire Restrictions are in effect and ask people to be careful outdoors.
Conditions are ripe for rapid, large-scale burning … all it takes is a
single spark.



For fire restriction information in Arizona and New Mexico:

Call Toll Free: 1-877-864-6985

Visit the website: www.publiclands.org/firenews




PREVIOUS POST:

The Laguna Fire was reported late Wednesday afternoon (May 18) and is burning in salt cedar, willow, cottonwood, and mesquite in the Colorado River riparian area. The fire started in California and hopped the river into Arizona. The fire appears to be human caused and is under investigation. There is no estimate of containment at this time.

Approximately 95% of the fire is in Arizona.

A large array of fire fighting resources are currently on hand or enroute to the fire. Fire engines and crews from the Rural/Metro, Imperial County, and Yuma Proving Grounds Fire Departments worked with crews from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management fought the fire through the night. About 60 people are on the fire now and additional fire crews have been ordered. Fire fighters plan to remain on scene tonight. Two bull dozers are being used.
The fire grew quickly and burned one historic structure in the Betty’s Kitchen Recreation area on the California side. A BLM water truck was damaged as well.

A Type III Fire Management Team is on scene or enroute and will assume management of the fire later today. All fire fighting agencies in southern Arizona want to remind people that Fire Restrictions are in effect and ask people to be careful outdoors.

Conditions are ripe for rapid, large-scale burning … all it takes is a single spark.

For fire restriction information in Arizona and New Mexico:

Call Toll Free: 1-877-864-6985

Visit the website: www.publiclands.org/firenews