Cooks Complex -Total Containment Increases to 65% -7171 Acres (Cooks Complex Fire Wildfire)

Phoenix (July 16, 2012) - Reconnaissance flights on Monday, July 16th, revealed two small areas burning deep in the interior of only one of the Cooks Complex fires. As a result, some firefighting resources were released today. The Arizona Central West Zone Team now turns management of the Cooks Complex fires to the Tonto National Forest, effective at 8:00 Tuesday morning. Multiple fires started July 11th within the Tonto National Forest during a severe lightning storm near the central Arizona communities of Black Canyon City and New River. "We want to assure residents that these fires remain a priority, and we're leaving in place appropriate resources to patrol hot spots and respond to new starts," confirms Incident Commander Trainee Andy Mandell.On Monday, 45 fire personnel patrolled the fire that remains active - the one closest to New River. These resources include two helicopters, a hotshot crew, an engine, safety officers and medics. These personnel and resources are expected...