Payson Airport issued the following announcement on July 8, 2021
April 15th, 2021, the Payson Helitack team landed at the Payson Airport to set up the Helitack Base on the east half of Echo Ramp.
During May the Echo Ramp was used by the forest service to stage helicopters for fires burning around Arizona.
On Friday June 11th the entire Echo Ramp was barricaded off for incoming wildfire helicopters to stage.
The Backbone Fire started at 11:09 pm Wednesday June 16th. The Airport had one type 1 and two type 3 helicopters staged on Echo Ramp that night.
Thursday Helicopters from Payson supported ground efforts against the Backbone Fire. Another type 1 helicopter arrived.
On Friday afternoon the Forest Service asked the airport for more ramp space to locate incoming wildfire air resources. A temporary control tower was ordered.
Saturday the airport began consolidating leased aircraft on Alpha Ramp and clearing aircraft from Bravo Ramp. Another type 3
helicopter arrived.
Sunday Alpha and Bravo Ramps were closed and barricaded. NOTAM was put in place for closed ramps.
Original source can be found here.
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