The Contreras Fire started June 11 on a remote ridge of the Baboquivari Mountain range, north of the Baboquivari Peak, 20 miles east of Sells, Arizona, on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation. The fire, burning in highly flammable grass and brush in steep and rugged terrain, is difficult for firefighters to access.
TODAY: Fire activity picked up overnight, and breached Kitt Peak Road (Road 386). Fire resources engaged the fire around 2:00 a.m. The fire reached the Observatory site and crossed over a decision point to place the community of Pan Tak into GO status. Eastern Area Team Incident Commander Brian Pisarek wishes to recognize the community for its forethought and successful planning efforts that have ensured the safety of the residents in and around the Pan Tak area.
Air support will be critical for assisting ground crews today. Five helicopters have been assigned to support suppression efforts today. Dense shrub ground cover below Kitt Peak is allowing the fire to make rapid upslope growth. Structure protection crews are actively scouting and engaging the fire at the Kitt Peak Observatory, and active scouting operations are in place between the Observatory and in the community of Pan Tak. Electrical supply to the Observatory has been suspended by the utility provider to mitigate unintentional sparking, and ground crews are utilizing fuel reduction methods to clear flammable ground material and create fuel breaks. More crews have been ordered and are expected to arrive today.
On the east side of the fire, scouts are actively monitoring fire behavior and looking for access points for crews. On the south end of the fire near Elkhorn Ranch, structure protection crews are utilizing fire control lines, sprinkler systems and other suppression methods to ensure the safety of the ranch community, visitors and its inholdings. A small 40-acre spot fire, which was contained yesterday, will be actively monitored and mop-up operations will commence if necessary. To the west, the fire is being actively monitored and allowed to move toward more favorable terrain where the fire may be engaged more effectively and safely. Temperatures are expected to be more favorable today, and a chance of precipitation this afternoon and into the weekend is expected to slow the growth of the fire. Critical fire weather remains in the area, and there is a potential for frequent lightning and gusty, erratic winds.
YESTERDAY: Fire growth on the north entered the flats, and crews assessed fire activity with ground patrol and aircraft. Priority suppression and structure protection activity occurred near Kitt Peak Observatory, including fire line construction, direct suppression methods and fuel reduction. Air tanker operations were heavily utilized. On the south, the fire was successfully prevented from threatening structures at Elkhorn Ranch, where hose lay, sprinkler operations and fuel reduction tactics were employed. A 40-acre spot fire was successfully contained and mopped up on the southeast corner of the fire.
INCIDENT STATISTICS
- Fire start date: June 11, 2022
- Cause: Lightning
- Acres: 11,489
- Containment: 0%
- Total Personnel: 300+
- Jurisdiction: BIA, Papago Agency
RESOURCES
- Crews: 7
- Engines: 12
- Water Tenders: 5
- Helicopters: 5
Evacuations: Elkhorn Ranch, on the south end of the fire, is in SET status. The Kitt Peak Observatory, north of the fire, is in GO status. The community of Pan Tak has been precautionarily evacuated.
Road Closures: Kitt Peak Road (State Route 386)
More Information:
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June 18, 2022 at 01:57AM
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Contreras Fire: evacuations issued, increase in activity seen last night | Arizona Emergency information Network - az.gov
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