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CNN Saturday Morning News
Arizona Fire Threatens Forest Lakes Near Show Low
Aired June 29, 2002 - 07:19 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In eastern Arizona this morning, fire crews will once again face the flames and fight back. The largest fire in Arizona history has grown to nearly 450,000 acres and threatens Forest Lakes, a $600,000 home subdivision that's now empty except for the firefighters.
Rob Koebel of our affiliate KTVK has that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MAN (on radio): Got a supply of water (UNINTELLIGIBLE) we got children, (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: You're sitting here at ground zero, couldn't get any closer unless you want to get warm feet.
ROB KOEBEL, KTVK REPORTER (voice-over): As the thick black cloud of smoke inches its way closer and closer to the town of Forest Lakes, crews gear up for a fight, determined to beat the ugly monster, keeping the flames from engulfing the town.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Really, we're going into our critical period right now, six hours is kind of a guess, to be honest about it, because it all depends on the weather and what happens. But there is a plan by the professionals to defend Forest Lakes.
KOEBEL (on camera): Is the worst part just sitting, waiting, wondering what the weather's going to do?
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Well, the worst part's sitting and waiting and watching this black cloud. And, you know, sometimes these things -- a real danger for Forest Lakes right now, is that sometimes these things collapse down on us.
KOEBEL (voice-over): Hotshot crews lined up on Mervesville Road, gear in hand and ready. More trucks moved in as the fire moves closer.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: The lines are holding. We did have a minor breach after midnight, but that was brought under control very quickly by the professionals that we have out here supporting us.
KOEBEL (on camera): We're here in the town of Forest Lakes. The wind is picking up. The next six hours are critical. They're actually telling us it's the time for us to get out of here. We're at ground zero. Crews are mobilizing, and they're already having an occasional spotting of the fire inside Forest Lakes.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: And we have been getting some embers there, but Wayne's staff has got people out in there right now watching for those, patrolling the whole subdivision and putting them out if -- when they land.
KOEBEL (voice-over): With the fire just a few miles away, crews are confident that Mother Nature and highly skilled firefighting crews will beat the blaze and save the town.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: But we're doing the best we can, and I'll tell you, we've thrown everything at it that we can throw at it, and I feel pretty good about it. Morale's pretty good here, and people have worked their butts off to make the thing work. And, you know, I've got a home here too, and we'll -- we want to come back to them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: All right, that was Rob Koebel from our affiliate KTVK.
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