February Fire Burning on Tonto National Forest

PHOENIX - The February Fire, a wildland fire located approximately 12 miles north of Payson, Ariz., has burned about 80 acres of juniper and ponderosa pine forest. There were no threats to personal property Tuesday afternoon. A total of six firefighter crews and two helicopters have been ordered and will be working to contain the fire. We are aggressively attacking this fire to limit its spread in the area, said Tonto Fire Management Officer Jeff Borucki. This is the first serious fire on the Tonto this year, and we want to make sure it doesnt grow into a larger problem. The fire was first reported late Monday and though the cause is currently unknown, a lack of lightning in the area means the fire was probably human caused. An investigation will be conducted by Forest Service law enforcement officials in an attempt to determine the exact cause.