Bighorn Fire

The Santa Catalina Ranger District, Coronado National Forest plans to burn piles of wood as conditions are optimal between December 15 and 18, 2020.

The area to be burned is approximately one-half mile north of Summerhaven on Mt. Lemmon, at the Mt. Lemmon Fire Department Helispot.

The burning will consume a small pile of slash (15 feet by 15 feet) of woody debris gathered from post-Bighorn Fire suppression efforts. Little smoke will be visible during the firing operations and for several hours following ignition while the pile burns.

The Bighorn Fire is a 100% contained as of today. The fire burned 119,978 acres to include iconic areas near Tucson like Mt. Lemmon and upper Sabino Canyon watershed. While the fire is a 100% contained, residual heat within the containment line may be visible for some time. A closure order remains in effect for public safety as there are hazards in the burn scar and the Bighorn Fire increased the possibility of flooding downstream and of sediment and debris runoff.

Highlights: Light rain that occurred on the evening of July 15 resulted in debris flow in the Canada Del Oro Wash. It is imperative that the general public adhere to the closure for public health and safety.  There will be a robust law enforcement presence at trailheads and roads along the closure boundary.  Violation of the closure order number: # 03-05-05-20-024 is being enforced and could result in a fine in accordance with U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C. § 3581 (b)(7).

Highlights: Beginning this evening at 8 p.m., a new, consolidated closure order restricting access to National Forest Systems lands in and around the Bighorn Fire will go into effect.  The previous closure orders for the Bighorn fire are still in effect until 8 p.m. This order will remain in effect until November 1, 2020 or until rescinded, whichever comes first. This order is being put in place for public health and safety with the oncoming monsoon rains and numerous hazards throughout the Bighorn Fire.

Highlights: We will be conducting our final virtual community meeting this evening at 7 pm.  You can tune in on the Bighorn Fire Information Facebook page, and you do not need a Facebook account to view the meeting. 
 
Yesterday’s Activity: Suppression repair efforts continued with chipping, backhaul, and suppression rehabilitation in Bigelow, Bear Wallow, Gordon Hirabayashi, and Molino Basin.
 

At 6 a.m., the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 transferred command of the Bighorn Fire back to the Coronado National Forest. Type 4 Incident Commander Corey Robinson has assumed command of the fire and will continue building on the successful work of the previous incident management teams.
 
Yesterday’s Activity: The fire activity witnessed Saturday afternoon was in the West Fork of Sabino, north of the Arizona Trail, adding an additional 291 acres. As a result of the increase in acreage, the containment percentage decreased slightly from 95% to 89%.

Highlights: On Monday, July 13 at 6:00 a.m., the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 will transfer command of the Bighorn Fire back to the Coronado National Forest. Type 4 Incident Commander Corey Robinson will be in command of the fire and will continue building on the successful work of the previous incident management teams. 

This will be the last update provided by the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4. Beginning Monday, the daily update will be produced by the Coronado National Forest. Contact information and websites will remain the same. 

Highlights: A forest closure remains in effect for the areas surrounding the Bighorn Fire. Residents are reminded that it is illegal to enter the forest area closure. 

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has adjusted the restrictions for the Catalina Highway. All Summerhaven, Soldier Camp, and Willow Canyon residents and employees (with proper documentation) will be allowed to return without an escort. More details are available at https://www.facebook.com/pimasheriff 

Highlights: The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has adjusted the restrictions for the Catalina Highway. All Summerhaven, Soldier Camp, and Willow Canyon residents and employees (with proper documentation) will be allowed to return without an escort. More details are available at https://www.facebook.com/pimasheriff. Residents are reminded that it is illegal to enter the forest area closure.

A virtual community meeting is being planned for tonight Thursday, July 9 at 8:00 p.m. at https://www.facebook.com/bighornfireinfo/