Coronado National Forest

 The Safford Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest plans to conduct slash pile burning activities on Mt. Graham in the Pinaleño Mountains over the winter months, beginning this week. Burning will be dependent upon weather conditions.

Slash piles will be burned within the Pinaleño Ecosystem Restoration Project.  This project area extends from the Snow Flat campground along Hwy 366 to the Columbine Administrative site.  Fire crews will be present to take action as needed throughout the projects.

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 Catalina Fire started on the Catalina State Park in the late afternoon of October 18, 2020. The cause of the fire is under investigation by law enforcement. The fire has burned 47 acres with fire control operations today focusing on patrol and burning stumps in the Canada del Oro Wash, and firefighters will be working west of the 50-year trail patrolling for smoke and hot spots. 

Incident statistics:

The Ironwood Fire was ignited near Ironwood Road on the eastern side of the Dragoon Mountains Sunday afternoon October 18, 2020. Firefighters, aided by air tankers Monday, made great progress in stopping the spread of the Ironwood Fire and worked through the night.

This morning the fire is 80% contained. Two hand crews are working to mop up hot spots on the fire and will likely remain through the night into tomorrow to bring the fire to full containment.

The Ironwood Fire was ignited near Ironwood Road on the eastern side of the Dragoon Mountains on October 18, 2020. The fire is burning on the Douglas Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest in very rough terrain in extremely dry, dense, chaparral brush and grass that has not been exposed to fire for many decades. Engines and fire fighters responded immediately yesterday and were confronted with very active fire behavior well into the night.

The Race Track Fire experienced moderate growth last night and it is now approximately 150 acres. Tonight, crews will continue to work to improve existing contained lines.

Fire Details:

Acres: approx. 150 acres

Percent Containment: 30%

Start Date: 10/17/2020

Cause: Under investigation

Location: Santa Catalina Ranger District

Origin Location: Redington Pass

Weather conditions: very hot, dry and windy

Resource: Type 4 incident, three type six engines are assigned to the incident.

Incident Commander: Chad Rice

Thinning crews will begin work in Hospital Flat, Treasure Park, and Snow Flat on September 25, 2020. The crews will be thinning live and dead small diameter trees that will be placed into piles. 

This project is part of the Pinaleños Ecosystem Restoration Project designed to remove hazardous fuels from the landscape and improve watershed condition and wildlife habitat. This thinning project is one of many the forest has conducted in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation.

The closure order implemented after the Bighorn Fire was updated increasing recreational access to Sabino Canyon and the Santa Catalinas on September 21st. The updated order will remain in effect until November 1, 2020. 

Firing operations conducted over the weekend have led to an increase in containment and decrease in fire behavior. The Type 3 Management Team will transition command of the fire to a Type 4 Incident Commander at 6 am on Tuesday, August 18. This will be the final update for the Klaus Fire unless significant events occur. 
 

Due to the Mica Bowl and Spud Rock fires burning in the Rincon Mountains. Saguaro National Park has closed Spud Rock Wilderness Campground and all trails on Mica Mountain east of the Arizona Trail to provide for public safety.  The Arizona Trail remains open, however segments may be subject to short notice closure dependent upon fire activity. 
 
Closed trails include: