Wildfire — Baboquivari Mountains, Arizona

2022-06-11 to 2022-06-24 · Baboquivari Mountains, Arizona

Event narrative

The lightning caused Contreras Fire started on June 11 in the Baboquivari Mountains on Tohono O'odham tribal lands within Pima County. Gusty winds helped the fire grow rapidly in dry fuels and rugged terrain. Kitt Peak Observatory was evacuated prior to the fire overtaking the area on the 17th. One cabin, a dormitory and 1 shed were destroyed and the road was also damaged. Power poles were destroyed cutting off power to the observatory. Those damage estimates were near $500,000 but do not account for complete assessments of all telescopes and other equipment. The 20 residents of the community of Pan Tak were also temporarily evacuated as a precaution, but no damage occurred there. The fire became fully contained on June 24, aided by significant rainfall on the 23rd. Fire suppression costs for the 29,482 acre fire tallied more than $13 million.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1039313. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.