The lightning-ignited Deer Head Fire burning in the Rincon Mountains of Saguaro National Park is approximately 320 acres. This figure is an estimate based on GPS data from a helicopter flight late Saturday afternoon and visual estimates from firefighters on the ground.
According to authorities, fire behavior the past two days has been mild, due to high humidity and cooler overnight temperatures. Rain events over last two days have produced only a small amount of precipitation on the fire and fire activity likely will increase later this week as drier weather is predicted to return.
Firefighters are tying in unburnable rock outcroppings with hand ignitions to create buffer zone and reinforce the fire line. These actions will provide safety zones for firefighters, confine the fire’s spread, and protect sensitive wildlife habitat. Fire managers continue to monitor the fire and have plans in place to protect Manning Camp, should the fire move that way.
Rincon Mountain District backcountry closures will remain in effect for the duration of the fire to ensure public safety. Smoke may be visible from Tucson, Vail, Benson and the surrounding area at times. It may occasionally settle in the east side of Tucson when air temperatures cool at night and in the early morning hours, but usually lifts during the day.
Periodic low to moderate intensity wildfires prevent heavy fuel accumulation that would send a larger amount of smoke into the air for a longer duration should a large, uncontrolled wildfire occur in the future.