Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. — Fire crews were optimistic they were gaining the upper hand Saturday against a 23,300-acre wildfire in southern Arizona.

The Bullock fire was 60 percent contained and firefighters continued work to maintain existing fire lines and complete new ones, said fire spokeswoman Joan Vasey.

"We're working toward success, and we're getting results," she said. "We're taking it day by day and hour by hour."

Crews on Friday saved an array of telecommunications towers and two telescopes on top of Mount Bigelow, one of the highest peaks on Mount Lemmon.

The fire had been burning for days at the base of Mount Bigelow, threatening to race to the top of the 8,250-foot peak. The fire approached within a half-mile of the transmitters and telescopes.

"The mountain is now contained, so things are looking good," Vasey said.

Fire officials estimate the cost of fighting the fire has reached more than $9.4 million.

Air tankers and helicopters continued working Saturday to reinforce fire lines. Firefighters also conducted more burnouts to remove fuel that could feed the wildfire.

Fire officials warned that residents in Tucson would likely see smoke over the weekend because of the burnouts.

Mount Lemmon towers to the northeast of the city.

Breezy winds were expected from the southwest today and Monday, potentially leading to warnings of heightened danger, said National Weather Service meteorologist Melissa Goering.

But Vasey said winds were calm at Mount Lemmon on Saturday.

"We're hoping to turn the corner today, though we won't be out of the woods until we get the fire 100 percent, fully contained," she said.

Even after firefighters contain the blaze, people won't be allowed back into the area until firefighters have determined the area is safe, Vasey said. Some 100 people were evacuated when the fire began approaching homes about a week ago.

Bob Zimmerman, a Summerhaven business owner who was forced to evacuate 10 days ago, said he doesn't know how long it will take for the community to recover once residents and business owners are finally allowed back.

"It's a huge fire. It's mindbreaking to see how much stuff has burned," he said. "As far as I can see it's just blackened timbers standing there. ... Soon, we're going to be going into a new phase, the aftermath."

June 2, 2002

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