Three Firefighters Injured Battling Wildfire West of Casa Grande, Arizona
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (AP) -- Three firefighters suffered minor injuries while battling a 6,650-acre wildfire burning about 20 miles west of Casa Grande.
Two firefighters suffered dehydration and a third was burned Friday afternoon after being scalded with hot water from a pump on a water tender, said Wendall Peacock, a spokesman for the crew fighting the fire.
The dehydrated firefighters were taken to Casa Grande Regional Medical Center where they were treated and released, Peacock said. The other fireman remained at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix overnight but was listed in good condition.
The Vekol fire was 90 percent contained Saturday night and no longer threatening about 100 structures in the area, authorities said.
Strong winds from a Friday night storm made fire suppression more difficult, Peacock said. Once the storm passed, crews worked through the night to create a line around the fire.
About 255 personnel were fighting the fire, along with 16 engines, a helicopter and two air tankers.
The fire has cost $657,483 to fight so far, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Annie Hanson.
The blaze broke out Thursday afternoon and spread quickly through dry grass and brush. Authorities were investigating how the fire started but suspect it was human caused.
