Bighorn Fire: 58,553 Acres Burned, 33% Contained

TUCSON, AZ — The Bighorn Fire near Tucson has now devoured 58,553 acres of land in the Santa Catalina Mountains, according to the U.S. Forest Service. As of Tuesday, it's 33 percent contained.

The fire was caused by lightning and first detected on June 5, officials said. So far, 988 first responders have worked to extinguish the fire.

The fire service said on Monday the blaze moved to the Lemmon Canyon area and toward Wilderness of Rocks.

Firefighters spent Monday working to contain heat in the Summerhaven area and along Catalina Highway while patrolling the fire line south of Oracle, which did not show significant movement throughout the day, officials said.

Tuesday's forecast calls for hot temperatures and low humidity, both possible contributing factors in the spread of a wildfire. Officials say the fire will be driven by light winds and combustible terrain.

The fire service said firefighters on Tuesday will focus on containing the fire and protecting buildings in Mt. lemmon, Summerhaven and Willow Canyon.

If conditions permit, the fire service said firefighters in some areas might burn off flammable vegetation, possibly creating more visible smoke in the afternoon.

Crews will also continue to monitor fires off the Samaniego Ridge and extinguish any new fires in the area.

The following areas are under evacuation orders:

• Mt. Bigelow & Lower Soldier HOA
• Community of Summerhaven
• Willow Canyon
• Lower Catalina Hwy. and Lower Mt. Lemmon Communities from Organization Ridge Rd. to South Willow Canyon

Residents in the Community of Oracle, parts of East Golder Ranch and in Peppersauce Canyon between Highjinks Road and Campo Bonito should already be prepared to evacuate quickly. Also under "SET" guidance is the Catalina Foothills area between Alvernon Way and Sabino Canyon Road and north of Skyline Drive.

Residents in the Oro Valley between Catalina State Park south and Magee Road, and in the Catalina foothills between First Avenue and Alvernon Way are under "READY" guidance and should begin preparing in case evacuations are necessary.

Evacuation notices are posted online at the Bighorn Fire and Pima County websites.

Residents and travelers should also note that the Coronado National Forest, Sabino and Bear Canyons and Catalina State Park are closed. Catalina highway is closed to the public at mile zero, and Oracle Control Road is closed. Real time closure updates can be found online.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts through Pima County or through the Office of Emergency Management.

A public meeting regarding the fire will be streamed at 8 p.m. Tuesday via Facebook Live.