Bighorn Fire Evacuation

NOTE: Due to our proximity to the Santa Catalina Mountains/ Coronado National Forest/ Bighorn wildfire and mandatory evacuation we were temporary closed ( and may soon be closed again). Orders may be delayed. But for now we thankfully are back to serve our hummingbirding customers.

We were less than a mile from the approaching conflagration and if the winds had shifted we could have faced serious trouble. Our status was SET and we were packed and ready to GO in an instant. With the high 106 degree temperatures, low humidity and a strong 15 mph west wind the fire was persistent. The the coordinated effort of many water helicopters, jet tankers dropping fire retardant and 'Hot Shots' prevailed. Our skies were abuzz with aircraft. This morning near us the fire appears extinguished and a few puffs of smoke that hopefully will burn out. But it continues to the north and east.

THANK YOU TO OUR OUR CUSTOMERS WHO WERE CONCERNED

Emergency Alert

🔥UPDATED MAP: BIGHORN FIRE🔥

An updated and more detailed map of the #BighornFire is now available. The map will be updated as the situation changes. There is significant danger, in the area on the attached maps, from the Bighorn Fire. Currently the following READY-SET-GO instructions are in place. https://bit.ly/BigHornFire

🔥CURRENT EVACUATION AREAS🔥

Bighorn Fire – June 12, 2020 Morning Update

Crews hold fire at Pima Canyon, growth observed to the northeast

Acres: 7,092

Percent Containment: 10%

Start Date: June 5, 2020

Cause: Lightning Origin

Location: Santa Catalina Mountains

Personnel: 419

Jurisdiction: Coronado National Forest, including portions of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness

Resources: 7 hotshot crews, 2 Type 2 hand crews, 14 Type 3 engines, 1 Type 4 engine, 12 Type 6 engines, 4 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 2 Type 3 helicopter, 10 water tenders.

IHC (Interagency Hotshot Crew) fire units working the blaze:

• Idaho Panhandle Hotshots (Coure D'Alene)
• Helena (MT) Hotshots
• Blue Ridge Hotshots (Mogollon, Arizona)
• Smokey Bear Hotshots (Ruidoso, NM)
• Gila Hotshots (Silver City, NM)
• Logan (UT) Hotshots

Crews will experience the highest temperatures yet today, topping 107 degrees, with a chance of dry thunderstorms that could create erratic winds in the afternoon. Firefighters are prepared to execute additional firing operations today in the area of Pima Canyon if conditions allow. Firefighters working in and around communities that border the forest will be continuing their work to the east, near Ventana Canyon. These specialized crews assess potential threats to homes and infrastructure, identify access routes and develop contingency plans in the event of fire spreading into the area.

Overnight, the fire grew to the northeast past Buster Spring into Montrose canyon. Yesterday’s work near Pima Canyon held overnight, with minimal fire growth in that area. Fire did creep over retardant lines near upper western edge of Ventana Canyon. Air tanker retardant drops are one tool in fighting fire but are most effective when paired with crews working on the ground to construct fire line. This continues to be a challenge given the steep, rocky terrain.

Evacuation status remains in effect, per the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and Oro Valley Police Department:

• Residents of The Enclave at Pima Canyon, Villas at Rancho Sin Vacas, Pima Estates, Villa Milano at Rancho Sin Vacas, Sin Vacas, Catalina Ridge Estates, and The Canyons are in “GO” status and should evacuate. View a map of the GO area at google.com/maps.

• The remaining area of the Catalina Foothills between Alvernon Way and 1st Avenue, North of Ina Road remains in the "SET - Be Alert" stage. View a map of the SET area at google.com/maps.

• The area of the Catalina Foothills between Alvernon Way and Sabino Canyon Road, North of Skyline Drive is now in the "SET - Be Alert" stage. View a map of the SET area at google.com/maps.

• The area of southeast/east Oro Valley including all areas east of Oracle Road from north of Magee to Catalina State Park is now in the "SET - Be Alert" stage. View a map of the SET area at www.orovalleyaz.gov/Police.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is asking residents in the SET areas to consider voluntarily relocating outside the affected areas with family or friends. A cooling shelter is available at Canyon Del Oro High School, 25 W. Calle Concordia, in Oro Valley. Find out more about the Ready, Set, Go! program at ein.az.gov/ready-set-go.

Residents of Pima County are urged to sign up to receive emergency alerts at emergencyalerts.pima.gov/.

Closures remain in effect. Catalina State Park is closed. Large portions of the Coronado National Forest Santa Catalina Ranger District near the fire are restricted. View the closure order and map at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6741/.

Fire Information Phone Line: (520) 276-8981 and (520) 329-7439, 8AM-8PM Media Phone Line: (520) 329-7640, 8AM-8PM InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6741/ Facebook: facebook.com/coronadonf Smoke Outlook: wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EasternArizona

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