Pima County Sheriff’s Department issues “SET” notice
 
The areas north of Ina Road, between Alvernon Way and 1st Avenue are now in the “SET – be alert” stage, the second step in the State’s READY, SET, GO! evacuation alert system. 

A full map of the SET area is available at https://apps.myocv.com/blog/a28985704. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is asking residents in the SET area to consider voluntarily relocating outside the affected area with Bighorn Fire – June 11, 2020 Morning Update
 
 Bighorn Fire Morning Update June 11, 2020

 Acres: 4,769
 
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, 4 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 2 Type 3 helicopter, 10 water tenders 

 The Bighorn Fire remained active overnight, with flames being pushed downhill by downslope winds. Temperatures up to 106 degrees today and continued low humidity will increase fire activity. The fire will again be highly visible on the front range of the Santa Catalina Mountains.  Crews will work to hold the fire perimeter and continue building fire line, tying into control features such as roads and rock outcroppings. Additional aerial resources will support the crews on the ground with water and retardant drops. Over the next several days communities can expect to see crews and apparatus working in an around subdivisions in the Catalina Foothills. Members of the public are advised to drive with caution and leave roadways clear for emergency vehicles and equipment to pass.   family or 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 family or special equipment for pets and livestock.

 Questions from residents in the area should be directed to (520) 351-4900. 
 Residents of Pima County are urged to sign up to receive emergency alerts at https://emergencyalerts.pima.gov/. 

 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 restricted area is bounded along the Forest boundary south and east to the northeast corner of the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, northeast along the Forest boundary to its northeastern terminus at Sabino Creek, Sabino Creek north to the Arizona Trail, the Arizona Trail northwest to the junction with Romer Trail, and the Romero Trail northwest to Catalina State Park.

View the updated closure order and map at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/. Fire Information Phone Line: (520) 329-7439, 8AM-8PMMedia Phone Line: (520) 329-7640, 8AM-8PMInciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6741/Facebook: www.facebook.com/coronadonf Smoke Outlook: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona

 

###

 

This evening the fire became established in the upper 1/2 of Finger Rock Canyon and has been burning actively. Overnight, we anticipate the fire to move slowly down-slope in a southwesterly direction. Firefighters are using a drone to monitor activity from the air and will remain on scene all night, prepared to implement established plans to protect homes and values at risk. 

 
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
 
###
 

An updated closure order has been issued to expand the restricted area where the Bighorn Fire is burning. Please see the Closures tab for the official closure order and map.  

Please see the Related Information tab below for the links to the official closure map and closure order PDF documents.

Please see the Related Information tab below for the links to the official closure map and closure order PDF documents.

Order Number: # 03-05-05-20-017

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

U.S. FOREST SERVICE CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST

SANTA CATALINA RANGER DISTRICT

AREA CLOSURE

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on 

the road and within the area described in this Order (the “Restricted Area”) and as depicted on the 

attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Santa Catalina Ranger 

District, Coronado National Forest, Pima County, Arizona.

1.   Going into or being upon the restricted area for the protection of public health and safety.

36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).

2.   Being on a trail.  36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1.   Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the 

effect of this Order.

2.   Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting 

resource in the performance of an official duty.

RESTRICTED AREA

The Restricted Area is within Township 11S , Range 14E, All or portions of Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 

8, 32, 33, and 34 specifically all lands within the Catalina State Park Boundary as depicted in 

Exhibit A of this Order.

The Catalina State Park Restricted Area includes all lands within the park boundary roughly within 

the following description:

From the junction of AZ 77 and Catalina State Park Road west to the Forest boundary.  Follow the 

Forest boundary north and east to the northwest corner marker of T11S R14 E section 26, Then west 

along the section lines to the southwest corner marker of section 28, then north to the

point where AZ 77 crosses the western section line of Section 21.  Then south along AZ 77 to the

junction of Catalina State Park Road.

The Restricted Area also includes the entire length of the following National Forest System Trails:

Romero Trail (FT 8), Pima Canyon Trail (FT 62), Finger Rock Trail (FT 42), Linda Vista (FT

49) Pontatoc Trail (FT 410), Pontatoc Ridge Trail (FT 411)

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to close the area and trails for the protection of public health and

safety during fire suppression operations.

IMPLEMENTATION

1.   This Order will be effective on June 8, 2020 at midnight, and shall remain in effect until the 

Incident Command Post is demobilized, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

2.   A map identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A.

3.   Any violation of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more 

than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six 

(6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C. § 3581 (b)(7)).

4.   Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Santa Catalina Ranger District 

located in Tucson, Arizona, telephone number 520-749-7703, and at the Coronado National Forest 

Supervisor’s Office in Tucson, Arizona, telephone number 520-388-8300.

5.   This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this Order.

Done at Tucson, Arizona, this 7th  day of June, 2020.

KERWIN S. DEWBERRY

Forest Supervisor

Coronado National Forest

 

Current closures:

There is a temporary flight restriction closure over the fire area.

A closure order to entry is also in effect over the fire area.

Catalina State Park has been closed. 

Please be aware that the following trails are impacted by the fire and closed: Romero Canyon, Pusch Peak, Pima Canyon, Finger Rock, Pontatoc, Pontatoc Ridge, and Linda Vista. 

Good Fire

Location: in Blood Good Canyon, Wilderness Ranger District, Gila National Forest

Start Date:  June 6, 2020               Size:  ~ 800 acres                              Cause: Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Resources:  eight smokejumpers, one 20-person Interagency Hotshot Crew, and a seven-person Wilderness District crew.

 

Turkey Fire

Location:  northeast of Brushy Mountain, Wilderness RD, Gila National Forest

Start Date: June 6, 2020                Size:  ~550 acres                               Cause:  Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Resources:   two 20-person Interagency Hotshot Crews

Strategy: 

Good Fire strategy -The fire management organization is using direct and indirect tactics along trail # 160 and 161 to box in along the Little Creek drainage. The strategy is to use the trail system and natural barriers to limit spread which is part of the confine/containment.  Inciweb information:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6739/.

Turkey Fire strategy – The fire was a bit more active and had some growth due to being in a higher elevation. There has been success in protection spread to the south for protection of Little Creek.  Objectives include keeping the fire south of Little Creek and east of Turkey Creek Trail. Inciweb information:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6740/.

Values on these fires include public and wildland fire safety, the NM Hwy 15 corridor, private inholdings and associated infrastructure, the cultural and tourism aspect of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, the natural values of wilderness, wildlife habitat including the Gila trout, and to minimize the footprint and to have low intensity fire on the landscape.

Smoke from fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evenings, smoke can pool back down in canyons, drainages, and basins.  Overnight smoke from the Tadpole Fire has settled in the Mimbres Valley. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com.  

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Good Fire

Location: in Blood Good Canyon, Wilderness Ranger District, Gila National Forest

Start Date:  June 6, 2020       Size:  ~ 630 acres                  Cause: Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Resources:  eight smokejumpers

 

Turkey Fire

Location:  northeast of Brushy Mountain, Wilderness RD, Gila National Forest

Start Date: June 6, 2020        Size:  ~500 acres                   Cause:  Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Resources:   Lewis and Clark IHC

 

Strategy: 

Good Fire strategy includes direct and indirect line construction, hot spotting and cold trailing to minimize growth on the eastern flank of the fire. On the southern and western flanks fire will naturally move into drainages and continue to be a confine and containment strategy. Inciweb information:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6739/.

Turkey Fire strategy includes direct and indirect line construction, hot spotting, and cold trailing to minimize perimeter growth and the focus is to keep the fire south of Little Creek. Inciweb information:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6740/.

Smoke from fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evenings, smoke can pool back down in canyons, drainages, and basins.  Overnight smoke has settled in the Mimbres Valley. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com.

 

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Turkey Fire

Location:  northeast of Brushy Mountain, Wilderness RD

Start Date: June 6, 2020        Size:  ~27 acres                     Cause:  Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Resources:   eight smokejumpers and two helitack crew

 

Good Fire

Location: in Blood Good Canyon, Wilderness Ranger District, Catron County, NM

Start Date:  June 6, 2020       Size:  ~ 35 acres                    Cause: Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

 

Summary:  The Turkey Fire and the Good Fire are burning on National Forest System Lands, on the Wilderness Ranger District, Gila National Forest.  The Good Fire is in steep, rugged and rocky terrain in the canyon and currently cannot be staffed due to safety concerns for the wildland firefighters. Objectives for both fires are to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. The strategy is full suppression, with confine and containment.

Smoke from fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evenings, smoke can pool back down in canyons, drainages, and basins.  Overnight smoke has settled in the Mimbres Valley. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com.

 

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.