Pima County Announces Second New Evacuation Friday Afternoon, June 26

Redington Area Set Alert

Fri Jun 26 2020 19:35:15 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

SET – Be Alert!

This is a combined message from the Pima County Office of Emergency Management and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

If you are in this area, know there is significant danger in the below area from the Bighorn Fire.  Ready, Set, Go is the state’s evacuation alert system. The three steps encourage Arizonans to get READY by preparing now for what threatens their community, to be SET by maintaining awareness of significant danger, and to GO, to evacuate immediately when the danger is current and life-threatening.

As part of the Evacuation Process, the Redington community bordered by the county lines on the north and east sides is now in the "SET - Be Alert" stage.  The western and southern boundaries do not follow any specific road.  Please refer to the interactive map at http://bit.ly/PCBigHornFire for specific details.  If you are in this area, you are in the SET area.

Residents should consider voluntarily relocating outside the affected area with family/friends. Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating. Grab your emergency go kit. Keep in mind unique needs for your family or special equipment for pets and livestock.

Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety and public health officials.

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

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   and on Facebook here   facebook.com/bighornfireinfo

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

Pima County Announces New Evacuation, June 26, 4:20PM

❗️GO! – Evacuate❗️

This is a combined message from the Pima County Office of Emergency Management and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

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

The evacuation zone is on the eastern slope of the Catalina Mountains south of the Pima County line and west of the community of Redington. The southern boundary does not follow any specific road. Please refer to the interactive map at http://bit.ly/PCBigHornFire for specific details.

Redington Rd 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.Pima

Return To Ready!

Friday, Jun 26, 2020 12:39:13 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

This is a combined message from the Pima County Office of Emergency Management and the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

The Catalina Foothills areas from North Alvernon Way on the west to North Kolb Road on the east, from East Skyline Drive on the south to the forest service boundary on the north, formerly set to “SET - Be Alert “ have been downgraded to "READY”.  All residents who self-evacuated from these areas may return to their residences.  Please refer to the interactive map at http://bit.ly/PCBigHornFire for specific details.  Maintain vigilance and be aware of the hazards that can threaten your community.

Those areas previously in the "SET" stage of alert and not mentioned above will remain in the same status. The Mt. Lemmon/Mt. Bigelow area remains under a "GO! - Evacuate" alert.

Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety and public health officials.

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 

Fire specific Facebook page located here:   facebook.com/bighornfireinfo

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

READY – Prepare Now

SET- Be Alert

GO – Evacuate

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.

Bighorn Fire Morning Update, June 26, 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/

Incident Statistics

Location:  Santa Catalina Mountains

Size:      88,046 acres

Containment:    33%

Date detected: June 5, 2020

Cause:  Lightning

Injuries:   7 minor

Estimated cost: $25.2 MM

Resources: 24 Hand Crews, 6 Dozers, 87, 10 Water-tenders, 10 Helicopters, 1,196 Total Personnel

Weather: 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’s Activity: Yesterday, humidity reached the lowest levels of the season and the fire was very active near Magee Creek, Green Mountain, and Maverick Spring. During the day, crews focused on holding the fire. Overnight, burnout operations were conducted to improve the fireline near Palisades and Willow Canyon. Hold and mop up operations were east of Biosphere, southwest of Oracle, and east of Saddlebrook along Baby Jesus Trail. On the east side of the fire, dozers constructed contingency line by connecting old road systems in the Davis Spring Road area. Fire behavior was fairly quiet in Sabino Canyon yesterday and helicopters delivered bucket drops to hot spots.

Today’s Activities: Priority will be focused on holding, improving, and mopping up from yesterday’s burnout operations in anticipation of increasing winds today into the weekend. Contingency line construction will continue along the east side of the fire as a buffer against the Burro fire scar. Firefighters will improve the firelines around Palisades and Willow Canyon following last night’s burning operations. Sabino, Rattlesnake, and Bird canyons will be closely monitored as fire activity continues to decrease. Two structural protection groups will provide coverage in the Summerhaven and Saddlebrook areas. South of Oracle, the north side of the fire will be in mop up and patrol status. An initial attack group will be available for new fire starts.

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

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

GO - Evacuate                   

Mt. Bigelow & Lower Soldier HOA

Community of Summerhaven

Willow Canyon

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

SET – Be Alert

Community of Oracle

Portions of East Golder Ranch

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

Peppersauce Canyon to Highjinks Road and Campo Bonito

READY – Prepare Now

 Oro Valley area from Catalina State Park south to Magee Road

Catalina foothills areas from First Avenue to Alvernon Way

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. Oracle Control Road is closed.

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

Bighorn Fire Update
 
June 25, 2020 Evening Update

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/

Incident Statistics

Location: Santa Catalina Mountains

Size:  81,702 acres

Containment:  33%

Date Detected:  June 5

Cause: Lightning

Resources: 24 Hand Crews, 87 Engines, 10 Helicopter, 6 Dozers, 10 Water Tenders, 1,196 Personnel

Injuries:  7 minor

Estimated Cost: $25.2 million 



Weather: Low temperatures of 6O in the mountains and 77 in the valley are forecasted tonight. West-southwest ridge winds will be 15-20 mph.

 Today’s Activity: In the Summerhaven area, crews provided structure protection, held, and improved containment lines. The fire was active near Maverick Spring and Green Mountain about 1¼ miles northeast of Willow Canyon. Burnout operations were conducted to improve containment 1 mile east of Biosphere and 4 miles southwest of Oracle. Hotshot crews performed burnout operations to clean up fireline along Baby Jesus Trail 3 miles northeast of Catalina State Park. On the east side of the fire, dozers constructed contingency fireline in the Davis Spring Road area.  Fire behavior was fairly quiet in Sabino Canyon today as helicopters performed bucket drops on several hot spots.

Tonight’s Activities: Firing operations are planned south of Biosphere 2 and east of Saddlebrook. This work is being conducted to remove unburned fuels and secure the area before winds move into the area Friday and this coming weekend. In the Summerhaven and Willow Canyon areas, ground resources are prepared to respond if the active fire in Maverick Canyon and Green Mountain threatens values at risk. Firefighters will monitor the fire in Sabino Canyon. Structural protection and ground resources are available to respond in the foothills if necessary.  The northeast and southwest sides of the fire will be patrolled.

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.

Oracle Control Road is closed.

The National Weather Service warns that isolated to scattered thunderstorms may occur in the Tucson area, Saturday through Tuesday.

 Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected Saturday through Tuesday, mainly during the

afternoon and evening hours and mostly from Tucson eastward. The main concern will be gusty and

erratic outflow winds and lightning that could ignite new wildfires. Gusts could exceed 40 mph.

Brief downpours are possible with these storms but rain amounts will generally remain low.

Best potential for thunderstorms will be in Santa Cruz, Cochise County and the White Mountains. The Tucson

Metro area will be on the western edge of any thunderstorm threat.

 Outside of thunderstorm areas, gusty afternoon winds will continue across all of southeast Arizona into

next week.

Slightly cooler temperatures this weekend into early next week.

For the latest forecast updates, visit www.weather.gov/tucson

Bighorn Fire Morning Update, June 25, 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/

Incident Statistics

Location:  Santa Catalina Mountains

Size:      81,702 acres

Containment:    33%

Date detected: June 5, 2020

Cause:  Lightning

Resources: 22 Hand Crews, 6 Dozers, 79 Engines, 10 Water-tenders, 10 Helicopters, 1,072 Total Personnel

Injuries:  7 minor

Estimated cost  $24.4 MM

Weather: Weather is expected to be hot and dry today and continue through Friday.  Winds along ridges are expected to increase to 15-20 mph this afternoon.  Winds speeds are predicted to be in this range through Friday.

Yesterday’s Activity:  Crews prioritized structure protection and fireline reinforcement in Summerhaven and Willow Canyon areas.  Firing operations were conducted off the Catalina Highway near Spencer Peak,  the Charouleau Gap area east of Saddlebrook and southeast of Biosphere 2.

Today’s Activities: In the Summerhaven area, crews will mop up and hold containment lines and focus on structure protection. Fireline off the Catalina Highway near Spencer Peak and Spencer Canyon will be improved. Crews will continue firing operations to extend the containment line south from Biosphere 2.  The fire backing off Samaniego Ridge will be monitored.  Crews will scout for contingency line opportunities if needed east of the fire off of Davis Spring Road.  Medium and heavy helicopter bucket drops will be used to slow fire spread and limit fire intensity in Sabino Canyon.  Firefighters in Sabino Canyon will direct helicopter bucket drops and scout for areas to safely engage the fire.  The fireline south of Oracle will be held and improved today. An initial attack group is available to respond to new fire starts in the area.

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

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

GO - Evacuate   

Mt. Bigelow & Lower Soldier HOA

Community of Summerhaven

Willow Canyon

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

SET – Be Alert

Community of Oracle

Portions of East Golder Ranch

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

Peppersauce Canyon to Highjinks Road and Campo Bonito           

READY – Prepare Now

Oro Valley area from Catalina State Park south to Magee Road

Catalina foothills areas from First Avenue to Alvernon Way

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. Oracle Control Road is closed.

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

Bighorn Fire Update

June 24, 2020  Evening Update 

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/

Incident Statistics – Last Updated 06/23 Evening

Incident Statistics

Location: Santa Catalina Mountains

Size:  74,547 acres

Containment:  33%

Date Detected:  June 5

Cause: Lightning

Resources: 22 Hand Crews, 79 Engines, 13 Helicopter, 6 Dozers, 10 Water Tenders, 1072 Personnel

Injuries:  7 minor

Estimated Cost: $24.4 million


Weather: Low humidities tonight with warm temperatures and ridgetop winds 10 -15 mph.

Today’s Activity: 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.

Tonight’s Activities: Firing operations to increase containment are planned off the Catalina Highway near Spencer Peak and Spencer Canyons one mile east of Summerhaven. Aerial firing operations in the Charouleau Gap area four miles east of Saddlebrook will continue into the evening and night shift crews will patrol the area once operations are complete. Firing operations to reinforce fireline will also be conducted near Dodge Wash, two miles south of Oracle. Tonight, engines will patrol the Ventana, Esperero, Bird, Rattlesnake, and Sabino canyon foothills.

Bighorn Fire Morning Update – June 24, 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/

Incident Statistics

Location:  Santa Catalina Mountains

Size:      75,574  acres

Containment:    33%

Date detected: June 5, 2020

Cause:  Lightning

Resources:   20 hand crews, 6 dozers, 19 water tenders, 81 engines, 10 helicopters, 876 total personnel.

Injuries:  4 minor

Estimated cost:  $21.7 MM

Weather:  Today’s temperatures will be the highest, near 108, so far this year with low relative humidity and light terrain winds.

Yesterday’s Activity:  Fire behavior was active yesterday with smoke and flames visible from many areas. Ground and structure protection crews successfully held and reinforced line in the Summerhaven and Willow Canyon areas. The fire crossed into upper Sabino Canyon. Crews patrolled and improved containment lines along the southern flank. The fire backed down off Samaniego Ridge closer to lighter fuels where crews can safely engage. Aerial and ground firing operations focused on the Rice Peak and Oracle Ridge areas south of Oracle.

Today’s Activities:  With today’s high temperatures, fire activity is expected to be active and smoke columns and flames may be visible. Crews will work to reinforce firelines in the Summerhaven and Willow Canyon areas.  Aerial resources will check fire spread into Sabino and upper Lemmon canyons, and ground crews will scout for areas where they can safely engage. The south end of Ventana and Esperero canyons will be patrolled. The northern/northwest containment lines will continue to be improved with helicopters being used for aerial firing operations, including the Charouleau Gap area east of Saddlebrook.

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

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

GO - Evacuate   

Mt. Bigelow & Lower Soldier HOA

Community of Summerhaven

Willow Canyon

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

SET – Be Alert

Community of Oracle

Portions of East Golder Ranch

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

Peppersauce Canyon to Highjinks Road and Campo Bonito           

READY – Prepare Now

Oro Valley area m Catalina State Park south to Magee Road

Catalina foothills areas from First Avenue to Alvernon Way

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: The Coronado National Forest closure order includes Sabino and Bear Canyons. Catalina State Park is closed. Closures and maps at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/. Catalina Highway is closed to the public at milepost zero. Oracle Control Road is also closed.

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

Bighorn Fire Evening Update June 23, 2020

Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Mike Goicoechea, Incident Commander