Santa Catalina Mountains

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 

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

Highlights: A closure order remains in place on the Coronado National Forest for the area affected by the Bighorn Fire. Despite the increasing containment and reduced visual presence of the fire, Forest Supervisor Kerwin Dewberry reminds homeowners and recreationists that the closure is still in effect to allow for safe firefighting activities and to protect the public. 

Weather: Today through Monday will be hotter than normal with slightly lower humidity and a west to northwest 10 to 15 mph breeze in the afternoon and evenings. Temperatures will be 80 to 90 degrees in the upper elevations and 101 to 106 on the valley floor. 

Today’s Activity: Firefighters focused on structure protection between Summerhaven and Willow Canyon. A hotshot crew removed snags and was supported by helicopters to improve perimeter control around the 3-acre spot fire near Radio Ridge. A small spot fire near Palisades was contained. Firefighters held the fire in check at the Redington Road all day. Hand crews, engines, and aerial resources worked to hold and improve fireline along Redington Road, from Brush Corral Road (#447) on the north to Trail Tank road (#4429) on the south.

It will be a hot, dry and windy day. Fire activity will increase early in the day due to higher winds. High temperatures 88 degrees in the mountains, 106 in the valley. West-southwest winds 14-18 mph with gusts to 30 mph.  Yesterday, humidity reached the lowest levels of the season and the fire was very active near Magee Creek, Green Mountain, and Maverick Spring.

Low temperatures of 60 degrees in the mountains and 77 in the valley are forecast tonight. West-southwest ridge winds will be 15-20 mph.