The Montrose Fire was discovered early this morning burning in the area of Box Spring, three miles northwest of Rose Canyon Lake. The fire is burning in downed timber and brush is steep rough terrain.
A helicopter was dropping water, dipped from Rose Canyon Lake, to slow the fire as crews move into position through extremely rough terrain to engage in full fire suppression.
Six water tenders have been ordered to support operations and will haul water from hydrants at the base of the mountain up the Catalina Highway.
Rose Canyon Lake is temporarily closed for safety purposes.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area if at all possible, due to suppression operations and heavy traffic from fire equipment. Privately owned unattended aerial vehicles (drones) have been detected over fires around the western United States recently.
The Coronado National Forest has obtained a temporary flight restriction (TFR) from the Federal Aviation Administration over the Montrose Fire area. As a result, any drone use in that TFR is unlawful and dangerous to helicopters operating to suppress the fire. If drones or other aircraft enter the area, suppression operations may be stopped until the airspace is cleared.
Montrose Fire summary:
Location:
Catalina Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest
Box Spring, approximately 3 miles Northwest of Rose Canyon Lake on Mt. Lemmon
Start date: detected May 12 at approximately 5 a.m.
Size: approximately 5 acres
Containment: 0%
Cause: human, under investigation
Personnel assigned: approximately 60
Fuel type(s): timber, brush, grass, downed trees
Growth potential: high
Resources assigned:
2 crews (1 Type 1 hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 crew)
2 engines
6 water tenders
1 light helicopter and 1 heavy helicopter
Miscellaneous overhead