Wildfire Rages North of Heber

Destination Arizona
B. Thomas Cooper

Once again, and all too soon, Heber, Arizona, is feeling the heat, as the so called Potato Fire threatens to incinerate over two dozens homes, just eight miles to the north. Having jumped fire-lines constructed over night, the wildfire has already consumed over 5,000 acres, and is within a mile of Chevelon Retreat, a nearby subdivision. Evacuations began Monday evening, and about a dozen residents spent the night at a Red Cross shelter, erected at an Elementary School in Heber. Few residents chose to disobey the order, although some opted to stay and fight back the flames. I wish them luck.





Fire crews worked throughout Tuesday to build additional containment lines along the fire's western and northern boundaries, although, strong winds continued to fan the flames as afternoon progressed. The fire is believed to be about thirty percent contained.

From the town of Heber, while photographing the enormous plume of smoke rising to the north., I spoke briefly with an anxious resident, reminded of the Rodeo-Chediski fire, which consumed over 450,000 acres back in June, 2002. The extended drought has only compounded an already drastic situation. Heber, located 140 miles northeast of Phoenix, seems particularly susceptible to disaster of this nature. We can only hope this story ends better than those previous.

Destination Arizona 2006