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American Morning
Arizona Wildfire
Aired June 23, 2003 - 08:10 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back in Arizona right now, Daryn, high winds, dry air, fueling the Southern Arizona wildfire that blazed, growing steadily again yesterday, marching north through mountain resort communities. It's now charred more than 11,000 acres and destroyed about 250 homes. Don Underhill not only lost his home, he also lost his business. He's with us live today from Tucson.
I certainly wish we could talk on other matters, but take me back a couple of days ago. You stood on a mountaintop for two days, watching that fire get closer and closer. You made a mad dash down the mountain. Describe it to us, if you could, Don.
DON UNDERHILL, LOST HOME AND BUSINESS: Well, originally, we thought we had it under control. And then with the high winds, the fire just actually blew up an entire mountainside, as remaining civilians were leaving the area, and you could see it, and you knew that you probably were facing catastrophic destruction of the mountaintop.
HEMMER: How much did you lose, Don?
UNDERHILL: I had a business with 12 to 15 employees, my home and my car.
HEMMER: Wow! What are you feeling right now?
UNDERHILL: Well, I'm feeling that I am recovering from disappointment and loss and looking forward to a new beginning, actually.
HEMMER: Yes, I understand you're a bit of a community leader out there, very tight-knit community. They call you what, Dandy Don?
UNDERHILL: Daddy Don.
HEMMER: Daddy Don, excuse me. I'm sorry. You could be dandy, too, if you want. What are you hearing from people?
UNDERHILL: Everybody is concerned, but I think, for the most part, we've gone through the shock of it and disappointment of loss of our livelihoods, our homes, jobs, everything else, but for the most part, as you say, we are a very tight community. We live, work and socialize together. We're doing that down here, thanks to the Hilton Hotel, and we look forward to being a community again.
HEMMER: Hey, listen, good luck. Don Underhill from Tucson, Arizona. We wish you and everyone out there the absolute best. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 23, 2003 - 08:10 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back in Arizona right now, Daryn, high winds, dry air, fueling the Southern Arizona wildfire that blazed, growing steadily again yesterday, marching north through mountain resort communities. It's now charred more than 11,000 acres and destroyed about 250 homes. Don Underhill not only lost his home, he also lost his business. He's with us live today from Tucson.
I certainly wish we could talk on other matters, but take me back a couple of days ago. You stood on a mountaintop for two days, watching that fire get closer and closer. You made a mad dash down the mountain. Describe it to us, if you could, Don.
DON UNDERHILL, LOST HOME AND BUSINESS: Well, originally, we thought we had it under control. And then with the high winds, the fire just actually blew up an entire mountainside, as remaining civilians were leaving the area, and you could see it, and you knew that you probably were facing catastrophic destruction of the mountaintop.
HEMMER: How much did you lose, Don?
UNDERHILL: I had a business with 12 to 15 employees, my home and my car.
HEMMER: Wow! What are you feeling right now?
UNDERHILL: Well, I'm feeling that I am recovering from disappointment and loss and looking forward to a new beginning, actually.
HEMMER: Yes, I understand you're a bit of a community leader out there, very tight-knit community. They call you what, Dandy Don?
UNDERHILL: Daddy Don.
HEMMER: Daddy Don, excuse me. I'm sorry. You could be dandy, too, if you want. What are you hearing from people?
UNDERHILL: Everybody is concerned, but I think, for the most part, we've gone through the shock of it and disappointment of loss of our livelihoods, our homes, jobs, everything else, but for the most part, as you say, we are a very tight community. We live, work and socialize together. We're doing that down here, thanks to the Hilton Hotel, and we look forward to being a community again.
HEMMER: Hey, listen, good luck. Don Underhill from Tucson, Arizona. We wish you and everyone out there the absolute best. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
