Bighorn Fire – June 14, 2020 Evening Update

Summerhaven moves into “SET-Be Alert” status as fire moves eastward

Acres: 13,200

Percent Containment: 22%

Start Date: June 5, 2020

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: Santa Catalina Mountains

Personnel: 633

Injuries: 3 minor heat-related illnesses

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

Resources: 6 hotshot crews, 5 Type 2 hand crews, 1 Type 1 engine, 26 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, 7 bulldozers

The east flank of the Bighorn Fire is most active in the area between Buster Spring and Cargodera Spring, putting up thick smoke that is visible from the community of Summerhaven. Overnight, crews working on Mt. Lemmon will monitor the fire progression to the northeast and are prepared to initiate firing operations as needed to secure that section of the perimeter.

Pima County Sheriff’s Department has closed Catalina Highway to the public at milepost zero. Only residents and business owners may pass.  

Fire will be wind-driven into the night, carried through grass and mesquite to the northeast. Winds may also stoke fire in upper reaches of Ventana and Esperero Canyons, with flames visible on the front range of the Santa Catalina Mountains.  

Crews increased containment along the western and southern edges of the fire today, bringing the containment percentage up to 22%. Firefighters will continue to patrol those areas to ensure the containment lines are not compromised.

Evacuation Notices:

·       The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has placed portions of Mt. Lemmon and Mt. Bigelow in “SET – Be Alert” status north of Organization Ridge Road Area, including Summerhaven. Prepare a “go kit” and include such items as prescription medication and important documents.

·       Residents in the vicinity of East Golder Ranch Drive and East Rollins Road formerly set to “GO! – Evacuate” have been downgraded to "SET - Be Alert” by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Residents who evacuated may return to their residences.

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

Residents are urged to 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.

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/bighornfireinfo

 There are two new Set changes from the Pima County Sheriff's Office under the News Tab

Bighorn Fire: East Golder Ranch Drive and East Rollins RoadReturn to SET – Be Alert! 

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

The East Golder Ranch Drive and East Rollins Road area formerly set to the “GO! – Evacuate,” has been downgraded to "SET - Be Alert”. Residents who evacuated may return to their residences. Residents should note the fire will appear to be in close proximity. Fire crews will continually access dangers and the fire’s behavior. It is imperative to remain alert.

Those areas previously in the "Set" stage of alert will remain in the same status.

Please remain vigilant in the "SET - Be Alert" stage and be prepared to evacuate if the status changes.

Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety and public health officials.

This might be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Be SET to GO.

Refer to the interactive map at

http://bit.ly/PCBigHornFire 

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/

 Bighorn Fire: Set Alert for the Mt. Lemmon/ Mt. Bigelow north of Organization Ridge Road Area, including Summerhaven

SET – Be Alert!

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

There is significant danger in the below area from the Bighorn Fire. Ready, Set, Go is the state’s evacuation alert system. The three steps encourage Arizonans to get READY by preparing now for what threatens their community, to be SET by maintaining awareness of significant danger, and to GO, to evacuate immediately when the danger is current and life-threatening.

As part of the Evacuation Process, the following area is now in the "SET - Be Alert" stage.

SET AREA
Mt. Lemmon/ Mt. Bigelow north of Organization Ridge Road, including Summerhaven

 Catalina Highway at milepost zero will be CLOSED.

OPEN to residence and business owners ONLY.

Refer to the interactive map at:

http://bit.ly/PCBigHornFire

Residents should consider voluntarily relocating outside the affected area with family/friends. Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating. Grab your emergency go kit. Keep in mind unique needs for your family or special equipment for pets and livestock.

Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety and public health officials.
This might be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Be SET to GO.

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

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

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

 This evening's Video Operations Briefing is ready under the video tab and on Facebook.

 Bighorn Fire – June 14, 2020 Morning Update

Firefighters to contend with strong winds today

Acres: 12,345

Percent Containment: 11%

Start Date: June 5, 2020

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: Santa Catalina Mountains

Personnel: 560

Injuries: 3 minor heat-related illnesses

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

Resources: 6 hotshot crews, 5 Type 2 hand crews, 1 Type 1 engine, 21 Type 3 engines, 1 Type 4 engine, 19 Type 6 engines, 4 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 2 Type 3 helicopters, 11 water tenders

Strong southwest winds with gusts up to 30 mph will be the main challenge to firefighting operations today and may affect the ability to utilize air resources in the afternoon. The fire will be most active in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness around Romero Canyon and Cathedral Rock, with dark smoke visible from the Tucson metropolitan area.

Strong winds will also increase the probability of the fire spotting outside of the current perimeter. Initial attack crews are at the ready to suppress any new starts.

The community can expect to see an increased firefighter presence on and around Mt. Lemmon as crews will be constructing fire line and identifying holding features where safety risks are minimized and there is a greater chance of success in containing the fire on the mountain. In the community of Summerhaven, crews will assess potential threats to homes and infrastructure, identify access routes and develop contingency plans in the event of fire spreading into the area. Drivers and cyclists on the Catalina Highway are urged to travel with caution and make way for emergency equipment.  

Crews will continue to closely monitor the fire’s southern and northern flanks to ensure that threats to communities in the areas of East Golder Ranch and Ventana Canyon are minimized.

Residents in the vicinity of East Golder Ranch Drive and East Rollins Road remain in “GO! – Evacuate” status.

SET evacuation notices for portions of the Catalina Foothills, Golder Ranch and Oro Valley remain in place. View a map of the evacuation areas at pimamaps.maps.arcgis.com. An American Red Cross evacuation center is open at Canyon del Oro High School, 25 W Calle Concordia. Visit pima.gov/bighorn for the most up-to-date information on evacuation notices and county resources.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. The temporary flight restriction in place over the fire area has been expanded to account for crews working around Mt. Lemmon. Every time a drone is seen near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

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/bighornfireinfo

 The Bighorn Fire Evening Video Operations Briefing is now available on Facebook

 Bighorn Fire – June 13, 2020 Evening Update

Crews use burnout operations to protect communities north of the Bighorn Fire

 The   Video Operations Briefing for today, Saturday, June 13, 2020 is now available under the video tab here on Inciweb and on our new Bighorn Fire Facebook Page.

 Bighorn Fire – June 13, 2020 Morning Update

Crews work through the night to complete East Golder Ranch burnout operation