Maricopa fire fighter on wildfire deployment

Maricopa fire fighter Brad Pitassi is among a group of more than 700 public safety officials battling a vicious blaze in southeastern Arizona.

The fire Pitassi is helping to fight is burning near the the border of New Mexico and Arizona in the Coronado National Forest. The fire is believed to have originated from a human source, according to Pitassi.

To date the fire has burned more than 27,000 acres and caused the temporary evacuation of more than 200 structures.

Currently more than 700 firefighters, backed by the support of 24 fire engines, 16 water tenders and nine helicopters are leading the battle against the blaze. However, despite this massive force, the fire remains only 20 percent contained.

The fire started in lower elevations with a fuel source of mostly dried plants, but, according to Pitassi, the fire is moving up in elevation and starting to attack larger timber.

“It is pretty extreme and moving across some rugged terrain,” he said.

Pitassi was originally dispatched to the fire May 8, along with three other firefighters from the city’s squad, to help fight the fire.

However, after two days of fighting the fire, the firefighters joining Pitassi were sent back to the city, and Pitassi was kept on to serve in a public spokesperson role.

“It is really a great opportunity for me to learn from some of the best in the business and put to use the skills I have learned in classroom settings the past couple of years,” Pitassi said.

Pitassi is expected to remain in southern Arizona until May 24 or 25.