GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) - The Latest on a southern Arizona wildfire (all times local):
2 p.m.
Authorities say a wind-whipped wildfire now has charred more than 28 square miles and forced the evacuation of dozens of homes in and around a southern Arizona mountain range.
The fire continues to burn grass, brush and trees.
It has resulted in the evacuation of 40 residences as well as notices to nearly 90 additional dwellings whose residents should prepare for possible evacuation.
Fire management team spokesman John Cambra says winds gusting up to 25 mph made use of air tankers ineffective.
Coronado National Forest spokeswoman Heidi Schewel says gusty winds and rough terrain contributed to the fire’s growth in the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson.
The fire management team says has burned 28.1 square miles (72.8 sq. kilometers), slightly below rough estimates released earlier Tuesday by Coronado National Forest officials.
11:10 a.m.
Officials say strong and gusty winds are hampering the fight against a wildfire burning in trees, brush and grass in the Coronado National Forest and adjacent land in southern Arizona.
Fire management team spokesman John Cambra says winds made use of air tankers ineffective and forest spokeswoman Heidi Schewel says gusty winds and rough terrain contributed to the fire’s growth in the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson.
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 that those residents should prepare for possible evacuation.
Officials’ latest estimate puts the fire at between 26.5 square miles (68.6 sq. kilometers) and 31.2 square miles (80.8 sq. kilometers).
The fire has crossed State Route 83 in several locations and a 15-mile stretch of the highway is closed southward from a point three miles south of Interstate 10.
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9:30 a.m.
The interagency team battling a wildfire that has burned 23 square miles (59.5 sq. kilometers) of grass and brush in southern Arizona is being upgraded.
State Forestry spokeswoman Tiffany Davila says a Type 2 management team’s replacement of the current Type 3 team Tuesday afternoon will enable the firefighting effort to get more resources.
There are approximately 300 personnel and about a dozen aircraft assigned to the fire, which is burning in the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson amid windy and dry conditions.
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 that residents should prepare for possible evacuation.
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8:55 a.m.
A spokesman for the interagency team battling a southern Arizona wildfire says approximately 40 residences have been evacuated and that people in nearly 90 additional dwellings have been told to prepare for possible evacuation.
The fire has burned 23 square miles (59.5 sq. kilometers) of grass and brush on state land and the Coronado National Forest in the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson.
Fire management team spokesman John Cambra says most of the evacuees are staying with friends and relatives but a few are at a shelter at the Santa County fairgrounds in Sonoita, including some who brought horses and cattle.
Approximately 300 personnel are assigned to the fire along with several types of aircraft, including two tankers.
No injuries or structure damage has been reported from the fire, which started Sunday. Cause is under investigation. Containment is estimated at 7 percent.
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This story has been corrected to reflect change five air tankers to two.
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8:15 a.m.
Air tankers and approximately 300 firefighters are battling a wildfire burning brush and grass in southern Arizona amid dry and windy conditions, reportedly resulting in evacuation of dozens of residents.
Officials say the fire located about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Green Valley has burned 23 square miles (59.5 sq. kilometers) of mostly state land and increasingly into the Coronado National Forest.
No injuries or structure damage has been reported from the fire, which started Sunday. Cause is under investigation. Containment is estimated at 7 percent.
Media outlets report that up to 80 homes has been evacuated, but officials contacted Tuesday by The Associated Press could not immediately say how many homes were evacuated.
State Route 83 is closed from Sonoita to about 10 miles south of Interstate 10.
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