This is a joint message from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office and Pinal County Office of Emergency Management regarding the #BighornFire

A "Go! - Evacuate" alert has been issued for residents in the area of Peppersauce Canyon to Highjinks Rd./ Campo Bonito area of Oracle.

Residents should evacuate immediately to a shelter or with family or friends outside of the affected area.

The Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at the C.D.O. High School in Oro Valley. Large animal sheltering will be done at the Pinal County Fairgrounds at 512 Eleven Mile Corner, Casa Grande, AZ 85194.

An interactive map outlining fire alert zones is available here: http://bit.ly/PCBigHornFire

Questions for residents in the area can be directed to the Pinal County Citizen Contact Center at 520-509-3555.

If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand emergency services may not be able to assist you further. Follow instructions from emergency personnel, stay on designated evacuation routes and avoid closed areas.

Both Pima and Pinal Counties have communities under a GO Alert Status.  Find their information here.

Pima County Information Below: 
 
NOTE: For evacuation information in PIMA County call the Pima County Sheriff's Office  520 351-4600.
https://www.facebook.com/pimasheriff/  
https://www.facebook.com/PinalCountySO/

Pinal County Information Below:  
  
Pinal County Interactive Maps
Pinal County Citizen Contact Center – 520-509-3555
Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Facebook link - https://www.facebook.com/PinalCountySO
Pinal County OEM Twitter link - https://twitter.com/home
Pinal County Fairgrounds Address – 512 Eleven Mile Corner, Casa Grande, AZ 85194
Pinal County Animal Control number – 520-509-3555

Bighorn Fire Links and information
will be updated as soon as information is available 
 

 Both Pima and Pinal Counties have communities under a GO Alert Status.  Find their information here.

Pima County Information Below: 
 
NOTE: For evacuation information in PIMA County call the Pima County Sheriff's Office  520 351-4600.
https://www.facebook.com/pimasheriff/  
https://www.facebook.com/PinalCountySO/

Pinal County Information Below:  
  
Pinal County Interactive Maps
Pinal County Citizen Contact Center – 520-509-3555
Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Facebook link - https://www.facebook.com/PinalCountySO
Pinal County OEM Twitter link - https://twitter.com/home
Pinal County Fairgrounds Address – 512 Eleven Mile Corner, Casa Grande, AZ 85194
Pinal County Animal Control number – 520-509-3555

Bighorn Fire Incident Links and information


Evening Update
 
Bighorn - June 20, 2020 Eve Ops Brief
 
Bighorn Fire - June 20, 2020 - Progression Map

 
  
Bighorn Fire - June 20, 2020 Info Map 
 
 

 June 20, 2020 Smoke Report

Bighorn Fire – June 18, 2020 Morning Update

Winds continue to challenge firefighters today

Acres: 31,208 

Percent Containment: 40%

Start Date: June 5, 2020

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: Santa Catalina Mountains

Personnel: 808

Injuries: 3 minor heat-related illnesses

Jurisdiction: Coronado National Forest, including portions of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness

Resources: 7 hotshot crews, 8 Type 2 hand crews, 2 Type 1 engines, 27 Type 3 engines, 1 Type 4 engines, 30 Type 6 engines, 3 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 4 Type 3 helicopters, 12 water tenders, 6 bulldozers
 

Yesterday, due to high winds, the fire made a large push to the north, growing by over 7,000 acres.

Today, fire managers anticipate the fire will move towards Charouleau Gap, depending on wind direction and temperatures. Fire crews and air support are in place preparing and widening fire lines for this expected spread of the fire. On Mt. Lemmon, the fire moved through Oracle Ridge and generated spot fires in Stratton Canyon. Expect highly visible smoke as those areas burn together today. Crews working overnight implemented controlled burns along the Catalina Highway corridor. Firing operations will continue today, if necessary, to protect values at risk.
 
 

Air operations including fixed-wing airtankers were up early this morning, dropping water and fire retardant to slow the fire’s spread. Winds will continue to be a factor today, but less so than yesterday. The fire burning in the Ventana Canyon area and along Samaniego Ridge will be monitored by air support today. Minimal downslope backing of the fire is anticipated in that area. Crews will tie together the two containment lines north of the fire perimeter to protect the communities of Oracle and San Manuel.

Ready, Set, GO! encourages Arizonans to get READY by preparing now for what threatens their community, be SET by maintaining awareness of significant danger and to GO, evacuate immediately when the danger is current.
 

Evacuation Notices

GO - Evacuate

SET – Be Alert

READY – Prepare Now

·       Mt. Lemmon, Mt. Bigelow, and Lower Soldier HOA including the community of Summerhaven

·       Willow Canyon area of Mt. Lemmon

·       Community of Oracle

·       Lower Mt. Lemmon from Organization Ridge Road to South Willow Canyon

·       Portions of East Golder Ranch

·       Oro Valley area from Catalina State Park south to Magee Road

·       Tucson foothills area from First Avenue east to Alvernon Way

Visit pima.gov/bighorn for the most up-to-date information on evacuation notices, an interactive map, and county resources. Sign up to receive Pima County emergency alerts at myalerts.pima.gov and Pinal County alerts at pinalcountyaz.gov/emergencymanagement.
 

Closures: The Coronado National Forest closure order includes Sabino and Bear Canyons. Catalina State Park is closed. View the closure orders and maps at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/. Catalina Highway is closed to the public at milepost zero. Only residents and business owners may pass. Oracle Control Road is closed.

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/acebook: facebook.com/bighornfireinfo

Smoke Outlook: wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona

 GO! – Evacuate 

This is a combined message from the Pima County Office of Emergency Management and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

As part of the Ready, Set, GO! process, the Willow Canyon area of Mt. Lemmon is now in the “GO!” state and is being evacuated. If you are receiving this message, EVACUATE NOW. Safely move south on Catalina Highway and leave the mountain. Do not delay leaving the area.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department will be going door to door to make contact with those affected residents who may not have received the message.

The general boundaries of the zone are the Lower Catalina Highway/Lower Mt. Lemmon Communities from Organization Ridge Road to South Willow Canyon.

Refer to the interactive map at http://bit.ly/ PCBigHornFire for greater detail.

An evacuation center is open at Sahuaro High School, 545 N Camino Seco in Tucson.

Large animal sheltering will be done at Rillito Racetrack, 4502 North 1st Avenue in Tucson.

Additional messaging will be sent as the situation changes.

Questions from residents in the area should be directed to 351-FIRE (3473)

Bighorn Fire information can be found here: http://www.pima.gov/ Bighorn

Pima County Emergency Alert information can be found here: https:// emergencyalerts.pima.gov/

Find out more about the Ready, Set, Go program here: https://ein.az.gov/ ready-set-go

Sign up for emergency alerts at myalerts.pima.gov and tell your neighbors about the program.

Bighorn Fire – June 17, 2020 Evening Update

Red Flag conditions spur fire growth

Acres: 23,892 

Percent Containment: 40%

Start Date: June 5, 2020

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: Santa Catalina Mountains

Personnel: 808

Injuries: 3 minor heat-related illnesses

Jurisdiction: Coronado National Forest, including portions of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness

Resources: 7 hotshot crews, 8 Type 2 hand crews, 2 Type 1 engines, 27 Type 3 engines, 1 Type 4 engine, 30 Type 6 engines, 3 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 4 Type 3 helicopters, 12 water tenders, 6 bulldozers

Yesterday evening’s burnout operations that created a buffer around the Mt. Lemmon Sky Center proved successful. Today, the fire reached that buffer and turned to the north, establishing in La Cañada del Oro Canyon. This generated a large volume of smoke that was visible today near the crest of Mt. Lemmon. This evening, firefighters will resume burnout operations to the switchback north of the observatory to keep the fire from impacting the community.

Fire burning along Samaniego Ridge, driven by high winds and dry brush, is producing substantial amounts of smoke  visible from the Town of Oracle. Firefighters are securing containment lines to the north to hold the fire if it moves further down off the ridge. This includes reconstructing dozer line located south of Oracle from the 2003 Aspen Fire.

Ready, Set, GO! encourages Arizonans to get READY by preparing now for what threatens their community, be SET by maintaining awareness of significant danger and to GO, evacuate immediately when the danger is current.
 

Evacuation Notices

GO

SET

READY

·       Mt. Lemmon, Mt. Bigelow, and Lower Soldier HOA north of Organization Ridge Road including the community of Summerhaven

·       Lower Mt. Lemmon from Organization Ridge Road to South Willow Canyon

·       Portions of East Golder Ranch near Catalina State Park

·       Oro Valley area from Catalina State Park south to Magee Road

·       Tucson foothills area from First Avenue east to Alvernon Way

Visit pima.gov/bighorn for the most up-to-date information on evacuation notices, an interactive map, and county resources. Sign up to receive Pima County emergency alerts at myalerts.pima.gov and Pinal County alerts at pinalcountyaz.gov/emergencymanagement. Residents may contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-FIRE (3473) with evacuation questions.
 

Closures: The Coronado National Forest closure order includes Sabino and Bear Canyons. Catalina State Park is closed. Large portions of the Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Ranger District near the fire are restricted. View the closure orders and maps at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/. Catalina Highway is closed to the public at milepost zero. Only residents and business owners may pass. Oracle Control Road is closed.

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/bighornfireinfo
 
 

Smoke Outlook: wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona

This is a combined message from the Pima County Office of Emergency Management and the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

In the interest of safety, Trico Electric Cooperative has turned off its generator and shut off power to Mt. Lemmon effective 5:30 p.m., 6-17-2020.  This shutdown may affect areas that are outside of established evacuation zones.  

Trico will provide updates at www.trico.coop and on social media.  

Questions for Trico should be directed to Trico Dispatch at 520-744-2944. 

Bighorn Fire information can be found here:http://www.pima.gov/Bighorn 

Refer to the interactive map at   http://bit.ly/PCBigHornFire

Fire specific Facebook page located here:   facebook.com/bighornfireinfo

Pima County Emergency Alert information can be found here:  https://emergencyalerts.pima.gov/

Find out more about the Ready, Set, Go program here:  https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Bighorn Fire – June 17, 2020 Morning Update

Red Flag warning poses challenge to firefighters and air operations

Acres: 17,492

Percent Containment: 40%

Start Date: June 5, 2020

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: Santa Catalina Mountains

Personnel: 700

Injuries: 3 minor heat-related illnesses
 

Jurisdiction: Coronado National Forest, including portions of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness
 

Resources: 8 hotshot crews, 7 Type 2 hand crews, 27 Type 3 engines, 1 Type 4 engine, 26 Type 6 engines, 4 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 2 Type 3 helicopters, 11 water tenders, 6 bulldozers
 
 

A Red Flag Warning will be in place today from 10AM to 8PM. These warnings are triggered when humidity is less than 15% combined with winds over 20mph sustained over a period of three or more hours. Air resources including helicopters and airtankers will be out in full force this morning before high winds may limit aircraft use this afternoon.
 

  

Yesterday evening crews working near the community of Summerhaven conducting burnout operations around Radio Ridge and the Mt. Lemmon Sky Center. They will continue firing operations this morning as weather allows. Crews are reinforcing fire line around the community and creating defensible space around homes and businesses.

Fire is established along Samaniego Ridge, and crews are closely monitoring activity around the communities of Saddlebrooke and East Golder Ranch. Firefighters are prepared to engage the fire if it begins to move down from the ridgelines.
 
 

Evacuation Notices:

·       Mt. Lemmon, Mt. Bigelow, and Lower Soldier HOA north of Organization Ridge Road are in “GO – Evacuate” status, including the community of Summerhaven.

·       Lower Catalina Highway/Lower Mt. Lemmon communities from Organization Ridge Road to South Willow Canyon are in the "SET - Be Alert" stage. Residents are encouraged to voluntarily relocate outside the affected area.

·       SET notices for portions of the Catalina Foothills, Golder Ranch and Oro Valley remain in place.

Sign up to receive emergency alerts at myalerts.pima.gov. Visit pima.gov/bighorn for the most up-to-date information on evacuation notices, an interactive map, and county resources. Residents may contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-FIRE (3473) with evacuation questions.
 
 

Closures: The Coronado National Forest closure order includes Sabino and Bear Canyons. Catalina State Park is closed. Large portions of the Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Ranger District near the fire are restricted. View the closure orders and maps at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/. Catalina Highway is closed to the public at milepost zero. Only residents and business owners may pass. Oracle Control Road is closed 

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/bighornfireinfo

Smoke Outlook: wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona

 Bighorn Fire – June 16, 2020 Evening Update 

 Strong winds and fire progression to the east prompt Summerhaven evacuation

Acres: 15,805

Percent Containment: 40%

Start Date: June 5, 2020

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: Santa Catalina Mountains

Personnel: 700

Injuries: 3 minor heat-related illnesses

Jurisdiction: Coronado National Forest, including portions of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness

Resources: 8 hotshot crews, 7 Type 2 hand crews, 27 Type 3 engines, 1 Type 4 engine, 26 Type 6 engines, 4 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 2 Type 3 helicopters, 11 water tenders, 6 bulldozers

Today, strong winds out of the southwest pushed the Bighorn Fire further east, up Sutherland Ridge to its intersection with Mt. Lemmon Trail #5, prompting the evacuation of Summerhaven. Fire managers called in air tankers to drop retardant along this active fire edge to slow its approach and protect the Mt. Lemmon Sky Center.

Winds with gusts up to 35mph will continue throughout the night at higher elevations. These high winds coupled with a lack of humidity recovery will promote active fire behavior with torching and spotting anticipated from the heavier, high elevation fuels.

Night shift crews will continue to be active in the community of Summerhaven and around Mt. Lemmon, monitoring the fire progression and prepared to take direct suppression action if needed. On the north edge of the fire, crews will continue to patrol around the East Golder Ranch and Saddlebrooke communities to ensure the fire remains in the high country.

Evacuation Notices:

· The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has placed Mt. Lemmon, Mt. Bigelow, and Lower Soldier HOA north of Organization Ridge Road in “GO – Evacuate” status, including the community of Summerhaven.

· Lower Catalina Highway/Lower Mt. Lemmon communities from Organization Ridge Road to South Willow Canyon are now in the "SET - Be Alert" stage. Residents are encouraged to voluntarily relocate outside the affected area.

· SET notices for portions of the Catalina Foothills, Golder Ranch and Oro Valley remain in place. Sign up to receive emergency alerts at myalerts.pima.gov. Visit pima.gov/bighorn for the most up-to-date information on evacuation notices, an interactive map, and county resources. Residents may contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-FIRE (3473) with evacuation questions.

The Coronado National Forest closure order includes Sabino and Bear Canyons. Catalina State Park is closed. Large portions of the Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Ranger District near the fire are restricted. View the closure orders and maps at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/.

Catalina Highway is closed to the public at milepost zero. Only residents and business owners may pass.

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/bighornfireinfo

Smoke Outlook: wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona

GO! - Evacuate

This is a combined message from the Pima County Office of Emergency Management and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

As part of the Ready, Set, GO! process, your area is now in the “GO!” state and is being evacuated. If you are receiving this message, EVACUATE NOW. Safely move south on Catalina Highway and leave the mountain. Do not delay leaving the area.

The general boundaries of the zone are Mt. Lemmon/ Mt. Bigelow north of Organization Ridge Rd, including Summerhaven.
 
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department will be going door to door to make contact with those affected residents who may not have received the message.
 

The general boundaries of the zone are Mt. Lemmon/ Mt. Bigelow north of Organization Ridge Rd, including Summerhaven.

Refer to the interactive map at http://bit.ly/PCBigHornFire
 

An evacuation center is open at Sahuaro High School, 545 N Camino Seco in Tucson. Large animal sheltering will be done at Rillito Racetrack, 4502 North 1st Avenue in Tucson.
 

Pima Animal Care Center will also be housing pets, the after-hours number is (520) 724-5900 and press 4. The daytime line is (520) 724-5961. More information can be found at: https://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx…
 

Additional messaging will be sent as the situation changes.


Questions from residents in the area should be directed to 351-FIRE (3473)

Bighorn Fire information can be found here: http://www.pima.gov/Bighorn
 

Bighorn Fire – June 16, 2020 Morning Update
 

 Burnout operations continue through the night

Acres: 15,805
 

Percent Containment: 30%
 

Start Date: June 5, 2020
 

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: Santa Catalina Mountains
 

Personnel: 729
 

Injuries: 3 minor heat-related illnesses
 

Jurisdiction: Coronado National Forest, including portions of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness
 

Resources: 7 hotshot crews, 8 Type 2 hand crews, 27 Type 3 engines, 1 Type 4 engine, 25 Type 6 engines, 4 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 2 Type 3 helicopters, 9 water tenders, 6 bulldozers
 

Crews took advantage of favorable weather conditions last night to conduct burnout operations on the northeast portion of the fire near the Trico powerline corridor. The goal of this burnout, conducted through aerial ignition using helicopters, is to slow the upslope momentum of the fire as it emerges from Romero Pass. Some lightning was observed over the forest last night and the Initial Attack crew stands at the ready to suppress any new ignitions.
 
 

The favorable humidity observed yesterday will dissipate and hot, dry conditions are expected to prevail, with strong southwest winds gusting up to 30 mph in the afternoon. Firefighters are working to create solid, defensible space around the community of Summerhaven, using heavy equipment such as bulldozers and excavators to bolster fuel breaks. Crews are placing bright orange portable water tanks known as pumpkins among the homes of the mountaintop town to feed sprinkler systems and strategically placed firehoses.

Firefighters continue to closely monitor the fire established at the top of Ventana Canyon and feel confident in the fire lines created to the south, if that fire were to move downslope. The public can expect to see crews working along the entire perimeter of the fire and are encouraged to drive with caution and make way for emergency vehicles.
 

Evacuation Notices:

·       Mt. Lemmon and Mt. Bigelow are in “SET – Be Alert” status north of Organization Ridge Road Area, including Summerhaven.

·       SET notices for portions of the Catalina Foothills, Golder Ranch and Oro Valley remain in place.

Sign up to receive emergency alerts at myalerts.pima.gov.  Visit pima.gov/bighorn for the most up-to-date information on evacuation notices and county resources.  Residents may contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-FIRE (3473) with evacuation questions.

The Coronado National Forest closure order includes Sabino and Bear Canyons. Catalina State Park is closed. Large portions of the Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Ranger District near the fire are restricted. View the closure orders and maps at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/.

Catalina Highway is closed to the public at milepost zero. Only residents and business owners may pass.

 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/bighornfireinfo

 

Smoke Outlook: wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona