On Monday, officials reported that the Deer Head Fire remains at approximately 1,097 acres and is 55% contained. The fire’s eastern flank remains active, and firefighters continue to direct the fire’s spread away from sensitive resources such as the historic Manning Camp.
Officials are working to keep the fire east of Heartbreak Ridge.
On Sunday, firefighters began rehabilitating trails and fire lines within previously burned areas of the fire, which are no longer active, and continued to monitor the fire’s behavior, to ensure that the fire remained in an area where they could safely manage it.
Park staff have observed differences in Deer Head Fire behavior as the fire has progressed through previously burned areas. The Deer Head Fire burned itself out within a few hours when it reached the 2010 Mica prescribed fire area, due to the reduced fuel load. The fire’s spread stopped four days after it burned into the 2004 Devil’s Bathtub prescribed fire area, burning itself out as it ran out of fuel.
The Deer Head Fire continues to burn in the 1994 Rincon Wildfire area, where plants have had a longer time to regenerate and grow, and fuel loads are higher. Increasing moisture and humidity have slowed the fire’s progression in recent days and similar conditions are expected to persist throughout the week. \
The lightning-caused fire is located in the federally-designated Wilderness area of the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. All Rincon Mountain District backcountry closures will remain in effect for the duration of the Deer Head Fire to ensure public safety.