Mt. Lemmon

The closure order for Mt. Lemmon and Sabino Canyon is still in effect for public safety. The closure order applies to recreation residence cabins in Greater Soldier Camp and Willow Canyon on the Coronado National Forest. This order was issued due to the hazards in the burn scar and the increased possibility of flooding downstream and of sediment and debris runoff after the Bighorn Fire.

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. 

Weather has humidities tonight with warm temperatures and ridgetop winds 10 -15 mph. With today’s high temperatures, fire behavior was active.  Smoke columns and flames were visible across the burn area. Crews prioritized structure protection and fireline reinforcement in Summerhaven and Willow Canyon areas. Aerial resources successfully slowed fire spread and reduced fire intensity in the west fork of Sabino, Bird, and Rattlesnake canyons. Aerial firing operations in the Charouleau Gap area four miles east of Saddlebrook started around 5 pm.

Today’s priority will be structure protection and containment in the Mt. Lemmon, Summerhaven, and Willow Canyon areas.  If conditions are favorable, low to moderate intensity firing operations may be conducted to consume unburned fuels in all areas including along the eastern flank.  Opportunities to deepen the line south of Oracle will be explored today.  Firing operations may produce more visible smoke later in the day.

Due to lower wind speeds, smoke will be more settled and visible in the communities around the fire area. Today’s weather will exemplify a typical June Southern Arizona day, with temperatures around 100 degrees, low humidity and mild winds.

Yesterday, due to high winds, the fire made a large push to the north, growing by over 7,000 acres. Today, fire managers anticipate the fire will move towards Charouleau Gap, depending on wind direction and temperatures. Fire crews and air support are in place preparing and widening fire lines for this expected spread of the fire. On Mt. Lemmon, the fire moved through Oracle Ridge and generated spot fires in Stratton Canyon. Expect highly visible smoke as those areas burn together today. Crews working overnight implemented controlled burns along the Catalina Highway corridor.

Crews took advantage of favorable weather conditions last night to conduct burnout operations on the northeast portion of the fire near the Trico powerline corridor. The goal of this burnout, conducted through aerial ignition using helicopters, is to slow the upslope momentum of the fire as it emerges from Romero Pass. Some lightning was observed over the forest last night and the Initial Attack crew stands at the ready to suppress any new ignitions.

Humidity recovery will peak tonight at 42% on the valley floor and will contribute to temporarily slowing fire spread to the east. Crews are watching out for erratic winds, as dry thunderstorms are possible over the Santa Catalina Mountains. Fire will likely reach Window Rock and Cathedral Rock and begin backing into the upper reaches of Esperero Canyon to the south.
 

The east flank of the Bighorn Fire is most active in the area between Buster Spring and Cargodera Spring, putting up thick smoke that is visible from the community of Summerhaven. Overnight, crews working on Mt. Lemmon will monitor the fire progression to the northeast and are prepared to initiate firing operations as needed to secure that section of the perimeter.
 
Pima County Sheriff’s Department has closed Catalina Highway to the public at milepost zero. Only residents and business owners may pass. 
 

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.