GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) - Wind on Tuesday drove a fire that has forced the evacuation of dozens of homes in and around a southern Arizona mountain range, closed a highway and burned at least 28 square miles of grass, brush and trees.
Winds gusting up to 25 mph made use of air tankers ineffective, fire management team spokesman John Cambra said.
Gusty winds and rough terrain contributed to the fire’s growth in the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson, Coronado National Forest spokeswoman Heidi Schewel said.
The fire had burned 28.1 square miles (72.8 sq. kilometers), the fire management team said Tuesday afternoon.
There are no reports of injuries or structure damage, but the fire has resulted in the evacuation of 40 residences as well as notices to nearly 90 additional dwellings whose residents should prepare for possible evacuation.
The evacuees included a local fire chief’s family who left their home to temporarily stay in Tucson and 11 nuns who left their abbey and took refuge at a bed-and-breakfast.
Property at risk included homes, ranches, communications facilities, power lines and the Arizona National Scenic Trail, forest officials said.
The fire started Sunday, and its cause remains under investigation, authorities said.
The fire has crossed State Route 83 in several locations on the east side of the mountain range. A 15-mile stretch of the highway was closed southward from a point three miles south of Interstate 10.
The firefighter effort was to be upgraded late Tuesday, with the scheduled replacement of a Type 3 management with a high-level Type 2 team, officials said. The change would enable the firefighting effort to get more resources, said Tiffany Davila, a State Forestry spokeswoman.
About 300 personnel were assigned to battle the blaze along with helicopters and other aircraft and at least 30 fire engines.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.