2017 Lizard Fire (Dragoon Mtns)

[SkyIslandHiker]

The Lizard Fire, last reported at 3,500 acres, has Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoons under a pre-evacuation notice. However a 3pm Wildfire Update issued by the Coronado National Forest mentions nothing about any trail closures. A Type 1 Incident Management Team has been ordered.

https://inciweb.nwcg.g...

[outdoor_lover]

According to a Friend that lives in Sunsites, there is now a Pre-Evacuation Notice for them as well....

[sneakySASQUATCH]

Buddy of mine had link (fellow pilot in Az.) of control work on this fire thought I'd post link for anyone interested.
https://www.facebook.com/jeanmichel.var ... 8108700658

[outdoor_lover]

@MtnBart01
Great Pass. There's a lot of Capacity on that Plane!

[AZHiker456]

Not a pretty scene in the Dragoons. I hiked a few peaks in the Northern Santa Ritas (afternoon of 6/10) and could see the smoke pretty clearly all the way from there (45-50 miles away) ... then off to Sierra Vista for groceries, post-hike and it is a smokey mess in that area... the latest updates I could find have the fire at just 5% containment & up to 10,500+ acres torched...

[SkyIslandHiker]

From today's Final Wildfire Update from the Coronado National Forest:

Closures: A temporary closure is in effect to protect public safety and allow fire suppression activities to continue in a safe manner. All areas north of NFS 345 are closed from the West Forest Service boundary and the East Forest Service boundary to the Northern Forest Service boundary within the Dragoon Mountains. All NFS Trails within this closure are closed. All areas North of NFS 345 are closed to motorized vehicles from the West Forest Service boundary to the East Forest Service boundary to the North Forest Service Boundary. All areas described herein are closed to unauthorized entry until July 15, 2017.

NFS Road 345 is Middlemarch Road. The closure area would include the popular hiking areas of Cochise Stronghold, Sheepshead Dome, Council Rocks, and Slavin Gulch although it appears that the fire never reached this far south. Approximately 15,230 acres have burned.