Bighorn Fire – June 12, 2020 Evening Update
Extreme temperatures stoke increased fire activity north towards Golder Ranch
Acres: 8,950 Percent Containment: 10% Start Date: June 5, 2020 Cause: Lightning Origin Location: Santa Catalina Mountains Personnel: 550
Jurisdiction: Coronado National Forest, including portions of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Resources: 7 hotshot crews, 4 Type 2 hand crews, 1 Type 1 engine, 18 Type 3 engines, 1 Type 4 engine, 16 Type 6 engines, 4 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 2 Type 3 helicopters, 11 water tenders The northeast flank of the Bighorn Fire stretched into lower portions of Romero Canyon today, producing smoke east of Catalina State Park. Multiple helicopters and air tankers worked in the area dousing the fire and dropping retardant to slow its spread. Although firefighters are unable to engage the fire directly in that area due to the rough terrain, crews have been scouting more accessible land at higher elevations and have identified holding features in the event of continued fire spread to the northeast. While smoke is highly visible, the Oro Valley Police Department warns drivers that stopping on Oracle Road to view the fire is dangerous for the drivers, the community, and the fire apparatus moving through the area. Tonight’s operations will focus near the community of Golder Ranch, where fire activity picked up today due to extremely hot and dry conditions. Humidity recovery is expected to be higher than previous nights, but not high enough to make a significant impact on fire activity. Crews will work through the night to monitor the fire perimeter and protect values at risk. The Pima County Sherriff’s Department has issued a “GO! – Evacuate” notice for residents in the vicinity of East Golder Ranch Drive and East Rollins Road. View a map of the evacuation area at pimamaps.maps.arcgis.com. An American Red Cross evacuation center is open at Canyon del Oro High School at 25 W Calle Concordia. Successful burnout operations conducted near Pima Canyon Thursday resulted in the Catalina Foothills area formerly set to the “GO! – Evacuate” being downgraded to "SET - Be Alert” by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Residents who evacuated may return to their homes. SET evacuation notices for portions of the Catalina Foothills and Oro Valley remain in place. View a complete map of the SET areas at pimamaps.maps.arcgis.com. Closures remain in effect. Catalina State Park is closed. Large portions of the Coronado National Forest Santa Catalina Ranger District near the fire are restricted. View the closure order and map at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/.
Fire Information Phone Line: (520) 276-8981 and (520) 329-7439, 8AM-8PM
Media Phone Line: (520) 329-7640, 8AM-8PM
InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6741/ Facebook: facebook.com/coronadonf Smoke Outlook: wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona
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InciWeb
