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CNN Live Saturday
Some Arizona Residents Returning Home in Fire's Wake
Aired June 29, 2002 - 18:05 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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, after watching the efforts of firefighters in Arizona, and plenty of worrying there, some residents east of the fire are now returning to their homes and CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is in Show Low, Arizona.
Thelma, what's going on there?
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Catherine, I can tell you it's very good news today. We talked to residents and business owners earlier in the day, and you can sense their relief, their happiness, and also their excitement at finally being able to return home.
Now, fire officials made that long-awaited announcement early this morning. Within about an hour of that announcement we noticed long lines of vehicles driving back into Show Low and Pine Top. All along this highway, there were signs that said "Welcome Home."
Now, just about one week ago, Show Low's 7700 residents were evacuated out of here. The fire, which is the largest in the state's history, forced 30,000 evacuations in nine different communities. Now, the fire danger is not over yet. Fire officials said today that they are on edge because the fire broke through fire lines last night, and it moved through the town of Forest Lake, it moved toward that area.
Crews worked through the night to put out all the spot fires, and thankfully, they were successful. Now the fire has burned nearly 450,000 acres, it destroyed 423 homes, and so far, it is 27 percent contained.
Now, more than 50 percent of that fire that has burned has been on the White Mountain Apache tribe land. And, we toured the area, we spoke to people there, and they said it would be years before they would be finally able to recover from this terrible blow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): The majestic Ponderosa pines -- 300-year-old trees. Now, up in smoke. More than 400,000 acres worth.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is a total loss for my people.
GUTIERREZ: On the Fort Apache Indian reservation, the fire has taken a serious toll. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is just devastating. It is, it really hurts the Apache people.
GUTIERREZ: You can see grief on the faces of tribal members.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Our timber is sort of the heart of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
GUTIERREZ: The heart and soul. And, in many ways, their bread and butter.
The White Mountain Apache tribe is a population of more than 10,000 people. Tribal members Mary Classy (ph) and Wilkie Gregg say it is also one of the poorest places in America.
They say a staggering 50 percent are unemployed. Of those who have jobs, many work here at the Fort Apache Sawmill, one of two mills on the reservation.
This really has to have a huge impact on the people out here.
MARY CLASSEI, TRIBAL MEMBER: Yes, uh-huh.
WILKIE GREGG, TRIBAL MEMBER: I foresee, like, the worst (ph) side maybe the mill running two, three years maybe at the most and then a complete shutdown.
GUTIERREZ: That translates into a $237 million loss -- 700 million board feet were destroyed in the fire. Both of the sawmills employing some 300 people have now closed down because of the fires.
WILKIE GREGG: It's their livelihood and it's in their bloodstream, more or less, and it's saddening to see.
GUTIERREZ: Sad for Troy Henry (ph), who has worked here for 15 years.
TROY HENRY, SAWMILL WORKER: I guess if they're going to shut it down I guess I'll have to find another job.
GUTIERREZ: Devastating to Harlan Hill (ph). He and his wife both work here. And both will be laid off. He says his family's future is at stake.
HARLAN HILL: The future of our tribe and the mill here and the timber that's up there. My little boy ain't going to be seeing all that stuff up there that I have seen.
GUTIERREZ: With all the attention focused on residents of towns like Show Low, tribal members hope they are not forgotten.
LUCIE BENALLY, TRIBAL MEMBER: Our tribe has lost so much, and too much.
GUTIERREZ: The timber losses the Apache nation has suffered here in Arizona may take a century to recover. (END VIDEOTAPE)
GUTIERREZ: The economic impact to the Apache tribe has been two- fold. Not only was the mill impacted, but also a casino on the reservation has also been forced to close down as a result of this fire. So, they're really suffering out there. Catherine, back to you.
CALLAWAY: OK, thank you. That's Thelma Gutierrez in Arizona. Thanks Thelma.
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