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CNN Live Today

Out West, One Firefighter Injured Battling Wildfires Now Burning in Arizona

Aired May 28, 2002 - 10:44   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KRIS OSBORN, CNN ANCHOR: Out West, one firefighter has been injured battling the wildfires now burning in Arizona and the Chandler National Forest. The fire has the potential to threaten hundreds of homes. Elizabeth Vall of CNN affiliate station KVOA has the latest.

Elizabeth, how's it going.

Are you hearing us, Elizabeth?

ELIZABETH VALL, KVOA REPORTER: OK, the Bullet Fire continues to burn out of control. As of this morning, it has scorched 17,600 acres. And from where we're standing at the base of Mount Lemon, you can definitely tell it's gaining ground. There is much more smoky haze than there was yesterday. Now, I'm also standing in front of one of the most recent maps forest rangers just gave me.

Now this black section here represents the 40 percent of the fire that is contained. This red line is the fireline. It is moving west. It is just four miles from Summer Haven, right here, where hundreds of homes and businesses are in jeopardy.

Now, 913 people are fighting to contain this fire. This is a burning and steep rugged, hard to reach terrain. The fire is four miles away from Summer Haven, as I mentioned, and also one mile from Mount Bigalow, where numerous broadcasting towers are also at risk.

Right now, two-thirds of available resources in the southwest are here fighting to contain the fire. One just drove right by, including 20 hot shot crews, 10 air tankers and six choppers. Now, there is no word yet when the fire will be contained. Dry, windy conditions today certainly aren't helping.

A very stressful time for the hundreds of people who had to evacuate their homes on top of Mount Lemon this weekend. Also, a stressful time for nearby residents.

I'm here joined by Jeff Crane, who lives right down the street,right? How are you feeling about the fire so close?

JEFF CRANE, RESIDENT OF TUCSON: A little bit nervous. My family and I go to bed at night looking at the plumes of smoke rising above Mount Lemon, and we wage up in the morning, and we smell the smoke. So it's a little unnerving, however, we are very proud and pleased with the work the hotshot crews are doing at containing the fire.

VALL: What do your kids say? Are they a little nervous it may come directly to your house?

CRANE: No, they're not too concerned at this point, but they are fascinated watching the air show, the bombers and the helicopters dropping the slurry and the water. That's been quite educational for them.

VALL: Now you're obviously an avid biker. How often do you come up to Mount Lemon?

CRANE: I ride Mount Lemon about once a week, although I'm not too worried about losing a bike route at this time. It's more important to have the fire contained.

VALL: All of Tucson is waiting anxiously during the summer months when it's 115 degrees here. Cool temperature on Mount Lemon are invaluable to all of us. We're hoping to get this contained as soon as possible.

Kris, back to you.

OSBORN: Thank you, Elizabeth Vall of affiliate station KVOA. We appreciate you brining us that report.

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