U.S. officials monitoring fire that crossed over from Mexico

By Ted Morris
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Monday, Feb 25, 2008 - 06:26:01 am MST

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SIERRA VISTA — A day-old forest fire in the San Rafael Valley crossed from Sonora, Mexico, into the United States toward the Huachuca Mountains on Sunday, a U.S. Forest Service official said.

Reaching the Coronado National Forest were three fingers of blazing ground comprising 27.5 acres that had branched out from the nearby main body of fire, 350 acres, in Mexico, said Heidi Schewel, a fire information officer with the U.S. Forest Service. The fire crossed the border about seven miles southeast of Parker Canyon Lake on the western side of the Huachuca Mountains. The cause is under investigation.

“We sent an engine and a chase truck into Mexico after we got permission, and they assisted in fire suppression,” Schewel said.

The fire was burning on Saturday, visible to a number of people in southern Cochise County in the Hereford/Palominas area.

The Forest Service has named the blaze the 103 Fire, because it is close to the 103 border marker.

Schewel said three fire engines and a water tender from Arizona Department of Forestry were sent to the scene. The U.S. Forest Service also provided a fire engine and an air attack plane for reconnaissance. Volunteer fire departments from Elfrida, Sonoita and Rio Rico also rendered assistance.

Schewel said the firefighting resources expected to leave the area by 8 p.m. Sunday and would recheck the situation this morning.

Herald/Review City Editor Ted Morris can be reached at 515-4614 or by e-mail at cityeditor@svherald.com.

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Jamie wrote on Feb 25, 2008 10:54 PM:

" wasn't this to distract Law Enforcement Officers from the drug runners crossing elsewhere. "

BC wrote on Feb 25, 2008 8:56 PM:

" I bet the fire is looking for a decent law abiding life as well, ohh wait, it destroyed a part of the national forest... well at least it didnt come with thousands of family members "

AQ wrote on Feb 25, 2008 2:32 PM:

" A stupid fence isn't going to stop a fire. Geesh... "

Curious wrote on Feb 25, 2008 1:16 PM:

" It's a signal fire - "All safe to cross here" "

smokey the bear wrote on Feb 25, 2008 11:51 AM:

" I have been a firefighter for 35 years and have never seen a fence that would stop fires. "

Rik wrote on Feb 25, 2008 10:57 AM:

" I hope you're kidding "

Ron H wrote on Feb 25, 2008 6:38 AM:

" Here's another good reason for having a fence along the border - to stop fires. "