Large smoke columns visible due to high temperatures and dry conditions

 
Bighorn Fire – June 10, 2020 Evening Update
 
Large smoke columns visible due to high temperatures and dry conditions 
 
 
 
Acres: 3,277                                                                                                        Percent Containment: 10%
 
Start Date: June 5, 2020                                                                                 Cause: Lightning
 
Origin Location: Santa Catalina Mountains
 
Jurisdiction: Coronado National Forest, including portions of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness
 
Personnel: 391
 
Resources: 6 hotshot crews, 3 Type 2 hand crews, 7 Type 3 engines, 1 Type 4 engine, 7 Type 6 engines, 3 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 2 Type 3 helicopter, 10 water tenders
 
 
 
As predicted, high temperatures and direct sunlight increased fire activity this afternoon on the Bighorn Fire, sending up large columns of smoke. The fire continues to creep northeast into steep terrain toward Mt. Kimball. To the south, the fire crossed the Finger Rock drainage and helicopters have been dropping water to slow the spread. Fire activity has diminished in Pima Canyon but remains active near Alamo Canyon and Finger Rock. Crews are continuing to construct fire line across the forest boundary to the south of the fire. 
 
 
 
Over the next several days communities can expect to see crews and apparatus working in an around subdivisions in the Catalina Foothills. These specialized firefighters assess potential threats to homes and infrastructure, identify access routes and develop contingency plans in the event of fire spreading into the area. 
 
 
 
Air Resource Advisors from the Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program are monitoring the area. The Catalina Foothills will see the greatest impacts from smoke this evening. Smoke sensitive groups should take appropriate precautions. Daily smoke outlook reports are available at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona.  
 
 
 
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, in close coordination with the Incident Management Team, will assess the need for potential evacuations utilizing the Ready, Set, Go! framework. Get READY by preparing now, be SET by maintaining awareness of significant danger and to GO, evacuate immediately when the danger is current and life-threatening. Residents of Pima County are urged to sign up to receive emergency alerts at https://emergencyalerts.pima.gov/.
 
 
 
A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. 
 
 
 
To facilitate firefighting efforts and protect the safety of the public, the Coronado National Forest Santa Catalina Ranger District expanded the forest closure order. Catalina State Park remains closed. The following trails are closed: Esperero, Finger Rock, Linda Vista, Pima Canyon, Pontatoc, Pontatoc Ridge, Pusch Peak, Romero Canyon, Ventana, and West Fork. View the updated closure order at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/. 
 
 
 
Fire Information Phone Line: (520) 329-7439, 8AM-8PM
 
Media Phone Line: (520) 329-7640, 8AM-8PM
 
InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6741/ 
 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/coronadonf
 
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