AZ WILDFIRE | BIG HORN FIRE | 1

UPDATE 1 | 6/21/2020 | PM UPDATE

The BIG HORN FIRE started by lightning on June 5, 2020 around 2200 MT in the Catalina Mountains, northwest of Tucson, Arizona on the Coronado National Forest.

Photo Credit | Bighorn Task Force Leader, Hugh Fairfield-Smith

Dry and windy conditions feed the fire making it explode into a firestorm and burning everything in its path. As of today, the fire has destroyed 51,628 acres of chaparral, brush and timber. The fire is 16% contained.

There are 969 fire personnel assigned aong with a SW Type 1 Team unit with IC John Pierson that assumed command on June 9th around 0600 MT time.

A new IMT will assume command on Monday, June 22, 2020.

WATCH: Timelapse shows the #BighornFire moving in toward the Mt. Lemmon Fire Department

📸: SimplyBits pic.twitter.com/cGHRZqEBZ3

— Mac Colson (@MacColsonTV) June 18, 2020

Fire Conditions: Firefighters are working in 100*F-plus daily temps in steep and rugged terrain in the Pusch Ridge wilderness. Fire behavior is active, running uphill, flankling and spotting.

Photo Credit | Tucson FD Paramedic Team

CLOSE CALL 🔥 Incredible work yesterday and overnight by 400+ firefighters to keep the #BighornFire away from our beloved Summerhaven 👏 Check out this video from our #TucsonFire paramedic team Wednesday evening, who are supporting crews on the front lines 👩‍🚒 #TFD #forestservice pic.twitter.com/bgBdKVLka1

— Tucson Fire Department (@TucsonFireDept) June 18, 2020

Significant Events:

Fire burned past the UAZ Sky Center: All structures and the site are still intact. No damage sustained.

Photo Credit | Bighorn Fire Management Team

Evacuations –> GO NOW: Mt. Bigelow, Lower Soldier HOA, Community of Summerhaven, Willow Canyon, Peppersauce Canyon to Highjinks Road and Campo Bonito

Evacuations –> BE READY: Community of Oracle, Portions of East Golder Ranch, Catalina Foothills between Alvernon Way and Sabino Canyon, North of Skyline Road.

Evacuations –> PREPARE NOW: Oro Valley from Catalina State Park, South to Magee Road. Tucson Foothills from First Avenue east to Alvernon Way.

Evacuation SHELTER –> Sahuaro High School’s Gym, 545 N. Camino Seco by the Red Cross.

Injuries/Illnesses: There have been three wildland firefighter minor heat illnesses.

Photo Credit | Bighorn Fire Management Team

Tempoary Flight Restriction: There is a TFR above this fire incident. There are no private drones allowed in/around or near this fire scene. If they are found within the area, all air resources will be forced to land and a clean sweep of the airsprace before they are able to fly again. #NoDronesInFireZones is the motto everyone who is a citizen should remember.

Emergency Alerts: Pinal County | pinalcountyaz.gov/emergencymanagement and Pima County | myalerts.pima.gov

Photo Credit | Bighorn Fire Task Force Leader, Hugh Fairfield-Smith