Latest news with #ArizonaDepartmentofForestry
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Cortaro Fire extinguished after 100 acres burned in the Tucson metro area
The Cortaro Fire reached 100% containment after burning through vegetation in the Santa Cruz riverbed in Marana near Tucson, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. After pillars of dark smoke were sent into the sky midafternoon the day before, state firefighters fought alongside the Northwest Fire District to extinguish the fire by May 25. Tiffany Davila, spokesperson for the forestry department, said the fire had burned through about 111 acres in the Santa Cruz riverbed, near Silverbell and Cortaro roads. Crews remained on scene and continued to patrol the fire area, monitoring for any activity. The state returned command of the fire to the Northwest Fire District in Marana. Davila said the cause of the fire remained under investigation but believed it may have been human caused. In addition to the state forestry department, local firefighters received support from the Tucson Fire Department and the Golder Ranch Fire District, according to Anne-Marie Braswell, spokesperson for NWFD. Here's what we know about the fire in the Marana metro area and what closures were lifted. Davila said the fire was fueled by a mixture of salt cedar, cattail reeds and mesquite trees dried by recent hot temperatures. The fire started between Cortaro Farms and Ina roads, according to Davila. Just after 3:45 p.m., the NWFD reported the fire "declared under control" and that no structures were threatened. The Arizona Department of Transportation said both directions of the I-10 in Marana were open near the burn area, about 15 minutes north of downtown Tucson. Smoke could be seen from ADOT traffic cameras as the fire saw its most activity midafternoon May 24. ADOT reminded drivers to help prevent wildfires by keeping lit cigarettes in a vehicle, securing tow chains to prevent them from dragging and not parking near dry vegetation. Real-time traffic conditions could be found on Law enforcement had reopened nearby Cortaro Road and Crossroads Park after the fire caused a temporary closure. The library, which is closed every Saturday, closed early May 24 when the fire had spread to nearby portions of the Santa Cruz River, according to the town of Marana. Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@ Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about the Cortaro Fire near Tucson
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Some residents told to evacuate immediately due to new Cody Fire in Pinal County
Fire officials ordered residents in eastern parts of Oracle, in Pinal County, to evacuate as the Cody Fire took shape nearby. The Pinal County Sheriff's Office announced the immediate evacuation order at 4:30 p.m. May 21. Officials asked residents in the rest of the Oracle area to remain on heightened alert. The Cody Fire is the second to hit the Oracle area in 24 hours. Fire crews gained control over the nearby Cedar Fire only hours before evacuation orders were issued for the Cody Fire, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. The Cody Fire was unrelated to the Cedar Fire and was uncontained, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The Cedar Fire was 50% contained, as of May 21. Officials issued evacuation orders for regions 5 and 16 to 19 of the Oracle evacuation map. State and federal agencies announced stage 2 fire restrictions in much of southeastern Arizona, including Oracle on May 21, banning campfires outside designated fire pits and outdoor smoking on public lands in those areas, in an email that was sent to The Arizona Republic. For more information on evacuation orders, residents can look to the Arizona Emergency Information Network or get updates on the Coronado National Forest Facebook page. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Oracle, AZ residents asked to evacuate as Cody Fire burns nearby
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What are controlled burns? Here's how these fires can stop wildfires before they start
Smoke from Arizona's controlled burns can be visible for miles, often causing people to wonder if a wildfire has ignited nearby. However, these controlled burns are an essential part of a strategy to clean up forests and prevent wildfires before they begin. Prescribed burns are part of an initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Land Management to maintain the health of fire-dependent ecosystems, which have a large presence in northern Arizona. Here's everything Arizona residents need to know about controlled burns, also called prescribed burns, and how they help prevent wildfires. Every year before wildfire season starts, forestry agencies across the southwestern U.S. conduct prescribed burns to protect ecosystems from insect infestations, disease and drastic wildfires. These burns are planned in advance, and experts work to identify the best and safest conditions for the prescribed blazes. The U.S. Forest Service notes that they "consider temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke" before a prescribed burn is started. Those conditions are checked on the day of the burn to ensure it is safe to continue. Wildfires are part of a natural process of ecosystems in northern Arizona to reduce forest fuels and clean up plants from plagues and diseases, but increasingly dry and warm weather conditions in the state can cause wildfires to grow beyond safe levels and become harmful to watersheds, wildlife habitat and put human lives at risk. Forestry officials say that prescribed burns build resilient landscapes that are less vulnerable to extreme wildfires. They simulate wildfires in a controlled environment under suitable weather conditions. According to the Forestry Service, prescribed burning's benefits include: Helping thinned forests recover faster and develop resistance to insect and disease attacks. Getting rid of dead wood, overcrowded trees and thick layers of pine needles that contribute to catastrophic wildfires, including crown fires. Preparing land for new growth and helping certain plants germinate. Fire can expose plant seeds and facilitate their contact with soil, which is necessary for some species to regenerate naturally. Assisting grazing wildlife such as elk and deer, animals that benefit from new growth as shrubs produce edible leaves when re-sprouting after a fire. Helping protect communities from severe wildfires by creating buffer zones and areas where an out-of-control wildfire might be stopped by a lack of forest fuels. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Prescribed burns: What are they and how do they stop wildfires?
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
More than 170 firefighters assigned to Bryce Fire in southeast Arizona
The Brief The Bryce Fire is burning north of Safford has torched 850 acres as of May 9. The management of the wildfire will be transferred to an incident management team on May 10. Over 170 firefighters have been assigned to contain the flames. GRAHAM COUNTY, Ariz. - A wildfire has burned through 850 acres and is 25% contained as of May 9 in the Gila River bottom north of Safford. What we know The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management named it the Bryce Fire and 177 personnel have been assigned to contain the blaze. Among the firefighters and equipment, hotshot crews, hand crews, fire engines, tenders and a dozer have been sent to the area. What's next An incident management team will be in control of the containment beginning on May 10. Dig deeper Some power lines were damaged in the fire as the blaze continues to burn to the north and northeast.
