Hey Bobcat readers,
I don’t have anything new to offer on the Pocket Fire that isn’t already being covered elsewhere, but I did just speak with Dick Fleishman, media liaison, and I can share a quick bad-news/good news summary.
Bad news: The fire has grown to more than 6,000 acres
Bad news: The fire jumped the burnout lines that had been created, and despite firefighters’ best efforts, spot fires started to the north.
Bad news: There is still a chance the fire could burn down West Fork into Oak Creek Canyon, an area that would be difficult to fight because of steep cliffs.
Bad news: Three firefighters died in another fire in Colorado and Utah, a loss that hits close to home for crews here, since firefighters everywhere are part of the same extended family of brothers and sisters.
Bad news: Forest Highlands and Kachina are on set and could be threatened.
Good news( finally!): The area north of the fire is flatter and has roads, which gives firefighters more options. Prescribed burns in recent years have also reduced some of the fuel load. These are places where crews can engage the fire more effectively, as long as flames are not too high for dozers and other equipment to work safely.
So I wait and watch, with a sense of unease and a held breath, hoping for a turning point in the days ahead.