National Weather Service Issues Flash Flood Warning, Thursday, July 2, 2020

Flood Watch

National Weather Service Tucson AZ

225 AM MST Thu Jul 2 2020

Tucson Metro Area-Catalina and Rincon Mountains- Including the cities of Tucson, Green Valley, Marana, Vail, Mount Lemmon, and Summerhaven

FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM MST THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING

Carl Cerniglia, Bighorn Fire Incident Meteorologist, emphasizes that "this forecast remains a possibility for today.  As a result, at this time, it is a Flash Flood Watch, not a Warning."

The Flash Flood Watch continues for a portion of Southeast Arizona, including the following areas,   Catalina and Rincon Mountains and Tucson Metro Area.

 From 1 PM MST this afternoon through this evening,  National Weather Service Meteorologists are forecasting heavy  rainfall over the Bighorn burn scar and surrounding areas that  includes areas along the CDO wash east state highway 77, the Catalina Foothills and Sabino Canyon, which may lead to flash   flooding and debris flows. This watch does not include the remainder of eastern Pima County.

 Heavy rainfall over the Bighorn burn scar is expected during the period of the watch. Residents near the Bighorn burn scar should prepare for potential flooding impacts. Be sure to stay up to date with information from local authorities.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take actions should Flash Flooding Warnings be issued.

The National Weather Service Issues Flash Flood Watch for Thursday, July 2

National Weather Service Tucson AZ

1:47 PM MST Wed Jul 1 2020

Tucson Metro Area-Catalina and Rincon Mountains, Including the cities of Marana, Vail, Mount Lemmon, Summerhaven, Tucson, and Green Valley
 

Carl Cerniglia, Bighorn Fire Incident Meteorologist, emphasizes three things in today's announcement from the National Weather Service.  "This is a possibility.  As a result, at this time, it is a Flash Flood Watch, not a Warning; and this forecast is for Thursday, July 2, not today. "
 

FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE BIGHORN BURN SCAR AND SURROUNDING AREAS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING

The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a Flash Flood Watch for a portion of Southeast Arizona, including the following areas, Catalina and Rincon Mountains and Tucson Metro Area from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening.

National Weather Service Meteorologists are forecasting heavy  rainfall over the Bighorn burn scar and surrounding areas that  includes areas along the CDO wash east state highway 77, the  Catalina Foothills and Sabino Canyon, which may lead to flash  flooding and debris flows. This watch does not include the  remainder of eastern Pima county.

Heavy rainfall over the Bighorn burn scar is expected during the period of the watch. Residents near the Bighorn burn scar should  prepare for potential flooding impacts. Be sure to stay up to date with information from local authorities.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take actions should Flash Flooding Warnings be issued.

Bighorn Fire Morning Update, Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Mike Goicoechea, Incident Commander

Bighorn Fire Info: (520) 329-7439 & (520) 276-8981, 8AM-8PM

Media Phone Line: (520) 329-7640, 8AM-8PM

Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6741/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bighornfireinfo

Smoke: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona

Burned Area Response: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6796/

NWS Burn Scar https://www.weather.gov/twc/bighorn-burn-scar

Incident Statistics

Location:  Santa Catalina Mountains

Size:      118,370 acres

Containment:    54%

Injuries:  7 minor

Date detected: June 5, 2020

Cause:  Lightning

Estimated cost: $36.5 MM

Resources:  17 Hand Crews, 6 Dozers, 68 Engines: 68, 21                Water-tenders, 9 Helicopters, 905 Personnel

Weather: Temperatures will be 70 to 78 degrees at upper elevation and 94 to 97 on the valley floor.  Winds will be lighter today 10-15 mph.

Yesterday’s Activity: Along the southern perimeter, the line has been contained east to Rattlesnake Canyon. Firefighters focused on structure protection between Summerhaven and Willow Canyon. Crews held and improved the perimeter of the 3-acre spot fire near Radio Ridge. Sections of the perimeter were plumbed with pumps and hoses.  The fire continued to back south down Green Mountain. Firefighters held the fire at the Redington Road including a 50-acre spot fire which crossed the road during Monday’s winds.  Dozers placed line around the spot fire and ground crews worked to mop it up. Firefighters held and improved fireline along Redington Road.  North of Trail Tank road (#4429) fixed wing aircraft and helicopters used retardant and water to hold the line in check. East of Golder, firefighters monitored smoke on Samaniego Ridge.  These hot spots are not threatening the containment on the fire’s west side. Crews conducted backhaul, suppression repair, and patrol on the remaining fire area on the west, north, northeast, and south sides including Sabino Canyon. Initial attack resources responded to one new fire start northwest of the Bighorn fire.

Today’s Activity: Firefighters will focus on structure protection between Summerhaven and Willow Canyon and will continue work to contain the 3-acre spot fire near Radio Ridge. Firefighters will hold and improve fireline along Redington Road.  Aircraft and ground crews will check fire movement south towards Trail Tank Road (#4429). Firefighters will work on the fireline along the Piety Hill Road (#649) in the Beuhman Canyon area. Along the southeast side of the fire, crews will monitor and hold containment lines around ranching infrastructure. Around the remaining fire perimeter, crews will backhaul equipment, conduct suppression repair, and patrol. Initial attack resources will be available for any new fire starts in the area as monsoonal moisture moves in.

The next virtual public meeting will be on Friday, July 3 at 8 PM

Up To Date County Evacuation Information

PIMA       https://webcms.pima.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=582490

COCHISE              https://www.cochise.az.gov/emergency

PINAL    https://pinalcountyaz.gov/emergencymanagement

Sign up to receive emergency alerts for Pima County at myalerts.pima.gov or PInal County at  pinalcountyaz.gov/emergencymanagement or for Cochise County at   https://public.alertsense.com/signup/?regionid=1341

A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. If you fly, we can’t. knowbeforeyoufly.org.  

Closures: Sabino Canyon, Bear Canyon, and Catalina State Park are closed. Cascabel Road at the Cochise County/Pima County line is closed. Catalina Highway is closed to the public at milepost zero. Closures and maps at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/.

National Forest conditions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/coronado/alerts-notices

Bighorn Fire Evacuation Update, June 30, 2020 Noon

Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Mike Goicoechea, Incident Commander
 
 

Current Evacuation Levels near Redington Road 

Pima County:

GO-Southeastern Catalinas area around Redington Road, bounded by the county line on the east.

GO-Southern Catalina Foothills, Catalina Highway on the western border and Redington Road on the east

GO-Redington community bordered by county lines on north and east

GO-East slope of the Catalina Mountains south of the Pima County line and west of the community of Redington

SET-Southeastern Catalina Foothills, in the Redington area bounded by the Forest Service line on the west and the Italian Trap Tank on the east. Refer to Pima County Sherriff’s Department Interactive Map for specific boundaries.

For more information visit: Pima.gov/bighorn

Cochise County:

READY-C1 Cascabel to Hookers Hot Springs

READY-C2 Cascabel south and north of Pomerene

READY-C3 Mescal to Pomerene.

Benson is not in a designated zone at this time.

Cascabel Road at the Cochise County/Pima County line is closed.

For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/CochiseSO/ or https://public.alertsense.com/signup/  

Bighorn Fire Morning Update, Tuesday, June 30

Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Mike Goicoechea, Incident Commander

Bighorn Fire Info: (520) 329-7439 & (520) 276-8981, 8AM-8PM

Media Phone Line: (520) 329-7640, 8AM-8PM

Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6741/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bighornfireinfo

Smoke: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona

Burned Area Response: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6796/

NWS Burn Scar https://www.weather.gov/twc/bighorn-burn-scar
 
 

Incident Statistics

Location:  Santa Catalina Mountains

Size:      114,991 acres

Containment:    45%

Date detected: June 5, 2020

Cause:  Lightning

Injuries:  7 minor

Estimated cost: $35.2 MM

Resources:  21 Hand Crews, 6 Dozers, 74 Engines, 21 Water-tenders, 10 Helicopters, 1,018 Personnel

Weather:   Hot, dry and windy again today. Expect active fire behavior.

Last Night’s Activity: Crews patrolled from Summerhaven to Willow Canyon. The spot fire near Radio Ridge was held in check. Resources used existing roads, dozer line, and direct attack, to keep the fire from spreading east of Redington Road. A 50-acre spot fire east of the road was contained. Fireline along Redington road was conducted from approximately 1½ miles south of Redington south to Trail Tank Road (#4429). The remaining fire areas on the south, west, and north sides, including Sabino Canyon were in patrol status.
 

New Evacuation Areas in Pima and Cochise County:  PIMA: GO-Southeastern Catalinas area around Redington Road, bounded by the county line on the east. SET-See Table.  COCHISE: READY-C1 Cascabel to Hookers Hot Springs; C2 Cascabel south and north of Pomerene; C3 Mescal to Pomerene. Benson is not in a designated zone at this time. Cascabel Road at the Cochise County/Pima County line is closed.

Today’s Activity: Air operations will begin earlier but may be limited later in the day due to high winds. Firefighters will focus on structure protection between Summerhaven and Willow Canyon and work to improve containment around the 3-acre spot fire near Radio Ridge. Firefighters will work to hold and improve fireline along Redington Road, moving north to the Brush Corral Road (#447) to prevent eastward fire spread. Along the southeast side of the fire, crews will identify and prepare containment lines around ranching infrastructure. East of Golder, firefighters will monitor smoke on Samaniego Ridge which is 2 miles east of the current fireline.  Crews will conduct equipment backhaul, suppression repair, and patrol on the remaining fire area on the west, north, northeast, and south sides including Sabino Canyon. Initial attack resources will be available to respond to new fire starts.  
 

Virtual public meeting tonight at 8 PM at https://www.facebook.com/bighornfireinfo.
 
 

Evacuation Notices:  Visit pima.gov/bighorn or pinalcountyaz.gov/emergencymanagement

GO - Evacuate                   

Southern Catalina Foothills, Catalina Highway on the western border and Redington Road on the east

Redington community bordered by county lines on north and east

East slope of the Catalina Mountains south of the Pima County line and west of the community of Redington

Mt. Lemmon, Summerhaven and Mt. Bigelow

Lower Catalina Highway/Lower Mt. Lemmon Communities from Organization Ridge Road to South Willow Canyon

Southeastern Catalinas area around Redington Road, bounded by the county line on the east.

SET – Be Alert

NEW Southeastern Catalina Foothills, in the Redington area bounded by the Forest Service line on the west and the Italian Trap Tank on the east. Refer to Pima County Sherriff’s Department Interactive Map for specific boundaries.

READY – Prepare Now

Community of Oracle

Portions of east Golder Ranch area

Catalina Foothills areas east of Kolb Road within northern areas of Ventana Canyon neighborhoods

Peppersauce Canyon to Highjinks Road and Campo Bonito

Oro Valley areas from Catalina State Park south to Magee Road

Catalina Foothills areas from First Avenue to Alvernon Way

Catalina Foothills between Alvernon Way and Kolb Road, north of Skyline Drive

Sign up to receive emergency alerts at myalerts.pima.gov or pinalcountyaz.gov/emergencymanagement.
 

A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. If you fly, we can’t. knowbeforeyoufly.org.  

Closures:  Sabino Canyon, Bear Canyon, and Catalina State Park are closed. Closures and maps at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/. Catalina Highway is closed to the public at milepost zero. National Forest conditions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/coronado/alerts-notices

Chochise County Issues Ready Status Alert, Tuesday, June 29, 1PM

Pima County Issues New Evacuation Order, Tuesday, June 30, 7:45 AM

GO! - Evacuate

As part of the Ready, Set, GO! process, the below area is now in the “GO!” state and is being evacuated. If you are in this area, EVACUATE NOW. Safely move away from the Catalina Mountains. Do not delay leaving the area. 

The evacuation zone is the southeastern Catalinas area around Redington Road, bounded by the county line on the east. The northern, southern, and western boundaries do not follow any specific road. Please refer to the interactive map at http://bit.ly/PCBigHornFire for specific boundary details.

Redington Road will be closed at the end of the pavement. 

This might be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate.

Additional messaging will be sent as the situation changes. 

Small animal sheltering will be done at Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 North Silverbell Road in Tucson.

Questions from residents in the area should be directed to 351-FIRE (3473)

Bighorn Fire information can be found here: http://www.pima.gov/Bighorn  

Pima County Emergency Alert information can be found here:  https://emergencyalerts.pima.gov/ 

Find out more about the Ready, Set, Go program here:  https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Sign up for emergency alerts at myalerts.pima.gov and tell your neighbors about the program.