Wildfire — Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains, Arizona

2020-06-05 to 2020-06-30 · Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains, Arizona

Event narrative

Lightning started the Bighorn Fire on the west side of the Santa Catalina Mountains during the evening of June 5th. The fire spread rapidly over the subsequent days and weeks, driven by multiple days of strong winds. Residents of Summerhaven, nearby mountain communities and those on the periphery of the mountains from the Catalina Foothills to southern Pinal County and near Redington Road were evacuated at times, but no structures were damaged by the fire. Five firefighters suffered from heat-related illness while two other personnel sustained minor injuries battling the fire during June. By the end of the month, the fire consumed over 118,00 acres, but was only 59% contained. The fire became fully contained on July 23rd after a total of 119,978 acres burned.

Wider weather episode

Lightning ignited the Bighorn Fire on the west side of the Santa Catalina Mountains during the evening of June 5th. The fire spread rapidly over the subsequent days and weeks, driven by multiple days of strong winds before becoming fully contained on July 23rd after consuming a total of 119,978 acres. Residents were evacuated at times and a total of nine firefighters sustained minor injuries while fighting the fire. While no property damage occurred, the cost of fighting the fire was estimated at $44 million.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 907564. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.