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In San Juan County Fire Department Chief Craig Daughertyâs opinion, Payson dodged at least seven wildfire bullets during the 2020 fire season. But the Polles Fire caused him the most alarm because of its location, start date, fuel condition and weather. Daugherty should know â he worked in operations on that fire. The Polles Fire started on July 3, a lightning strike 11 miles west of Payson and south of Pine in âhighly abnormalâ fuel conditions, which fanned by extreme winds, quickly escalated the situation. By the Fourth of July weekend the Polles Fire blew up. âThe potential was great for that fire to burn into . communities, thatâs why it went to Type 1 immediately,â he said, âYou had a close call.â ....