The Horton Fire, burning near Payson, Arizona, is facing a critical test as high winds threaten containment efforts.
The Horton Fire continues to burn through over 8,000 acres near Payson . Fire crews are battling the flames in the community northeast of Phoenix. Several areas are on pre-evacuation orders. High winds on Wednesday, January 8, pose a significant challenge for firefighters. Wind gusts reaching close to 30 miles per hour are projected around Payson , according to the National Weather Service. The wind's impact is evident with visible burn lines and smoke from miles away.
From the air, orange flames are seen amidst thick gray smoke. On the ground, fire crews are working tirelessly. Since starting on December 14, the fire has burned approximately 8,337 acres. Local residents can see and smell its effects. 'At our house, we've mostly got smoke,' said Robert Eggett, a resident of Tonto Basin. 'It got thick enough that we can hardly see the mountains, and the mountains are right at my house, just a mile away.' 'There's a lot of smoke in the Valley where I live. I usually see it in the mornings when I'm going to work,' said Tanner, a Payson resident. 'Today is the crux,' says Jayson Coil, the Operations Section Chief at the incident command post. Over the past three days, crews have conducted burn-out operations between Tonto Creek and Christopher Creek on State Route 260 to bring the fire down to control lines. 'The intent for today is to hold those lines through this wind event. If we are successful in doing that, then it's going to be a successful benchmark - if you will - for containment of this fire,' Coil added. Wednesday could be a make-or-break day. 'Today is the turning point either towards more rapid containment or just going to a larger fire scenario,' said Coil. It's mainly due to the wind. Wind is usually bad news for fire crews
Wildfires Arizona Payson Horton Fire Wind Containment
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