Schewel, Heidi -FS
Sun 6/14/2020 7:34 AM
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
Smoke Outlook: wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona
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