Multiple Fires & Closures in the Rincons

[Jeffshadows]

Eastern Arizona Type 2 Incident Management Team

Distillery / Castro / Chiminea Fire Updates

Monday, June 30, 2008, 8:00 a.m.

The Eastern Arizona Type 2 Incident Management Team (Pruett Small, IC) will be transferring
command of the Castro Fire and Chiminea Wildland Fire Use Fire to Saguaro National Park at 6 p.m.
today. Command of the Distillery Fire will be transferred to the Coronado National Forest then as well.
Saguaro National Park Fire Information – (520) 733-5150 (recorded message) or (520) 400-2932

Castro Fire (Saguaro National Park, east of Mica Mountain) – The 25 acre Castro Fire was ignited by
lightning on June 26. The fire is currently inactive and is in patrol status.

Chiminea Wildland Fire (Saguaro National Park, south of Madrona Canyon) – This 75 acre
lightning-ignited fire started on June 26 and is being managed for resource benefits. Yesterday the
entire perimeter of the fire was active, with low to moderate fire behavior. Fire managers anticipate
only minimal fire intensity and rate of spread today, based on the effects of one-tenth of an inch of rain
that fell on the fire yesterday afternoon. The fire is burning in heavy downed fuels, which are expected
to continue burning until they receive significant precipitation. Smoke will be visible from Vail, AZ.
Fire managers will continue to monitor the fire and take action as needed.

Trail closures at Saguaro National Park include: Miller Creek, Rincon Peak, Rincon Creek, Italian
Springs, North Slope, Fire Loop, Spud Rock, Mica Mountain, Mica Meadow, Bonita, Cowhead Saddle,
East Slope, Turkey Creek, Devil’s Bathtub, Deerhead Springs, Switchback, Manning Camp (east of
Grass Shack) and Heartbreak Ridge. Campground closures in Saguaro National Park include Manning
Camp, Spud Rock, and Happy Valley Saddle. All off-trail areas within Saguaro National Park east of
Douglas Springs and Manning Camp Trails are also closed.
Coronado National Forest Fire Information - (520) 388-8308

Distillery Fire (Coronado National Forest, 5 miles northeast of Vail, AZ) – The Distillery fire was
ignited by lightning on June 21. The 7,950 acre fire continues to remain inactive, with only a few
isolated smokes observed. It is now 85 percent contained. Fire managers will continue to monitor the
fire. Crews are available for initial attack on any new starts in the area if needed.

[big_load]

Too bad. I like the Rincons.

[azbackpackr]

Do you recollect the 30,000+ acre fire that occurred in the Rincons in the 90's? That was something to see.

Let's not forget one thing: it's a fire-adapted ecology. It is SUPPOSED to burn.

[Jeffshadows]

Yea, that was horrible. I remember watching through a spotting scope as it flared and crowned. That was the one that took out Douglas Spring Campground.

If it burns, it burns. I was mainly leaving beta about the closures... ;)