Scrabble Fire on Tonto National Forest

The Scrabble fire, burning near the Hard Scrabble Canyon in the Mazatzal Wilderness, 13 miles SW of Pine, Arizona, was reported by a Lookout Tower about 1:15 pm Saturday. According to Steve Webb, Center Manager, Phoenix Interagency Dispatch Center: We believe this is the first time we have ever ordered smokejumpers for a wildfire on the Tonto National Forest. The inaccessibility of this terrain in the Mazatzal Wilderness has made this necessary. The Scrabble fire began on July 7, 2007 at 1311 hrs near the Hard Scrabble Canyon in the Mazatzal Wilderness, 13 miles SW of Pine, Arizona. The lightning-caused fire has burned 165 acres in a mixture of fuel types: pinyon pine and juniper, brush, and grass. It is currently 0% contained. Ordered/committed resources include 6 Smokejumpers from Silver City, NM (aircraft Jumper 43 DHC6), 2 SEATS, 1 Type II helicopter and 1 Type II initial attack crew. The estimated cost to date is unknown. No structures are threatened, however there is some concern of inacessibility of terrain in the wilderness area. There are no restrictions at this time. For road information, please contact the ADOT website: www.az511.com/hcrsweb/hcrsweb.jsp