TUCSON – Fire officials say that a drone interfered with fighting the Bighorn Fire on Monday.
According to officials, at approximately 2:00 p.m., a drone was flying over the Bighorn Fire’s southern perimeter. The drone forced the aircraft suppression effort to be halted.
The drone’s interference endangered the lives of on the ground firefighters and the air crews, say fire officials, “at a critical time during the height of the burning period. This is the second of such incursions in three days.”
Incident Commander Lathe Evans explained that the percentage of containment has not increased, and acreage burned has increased largely due to this illegal drone incursion. “If You Fly, We Can’t!”
The Bighorn Fire was ignited by lightning on the Coronado National Forest, Santa Catalina Ranger District the evening of June 5, 2020. The fire has grown to over 2,550 acres, burning in steep rugged terrain within the Pusch Ridge Wilderness. Crew efforts on the southwestern portion of the fire have provided 10% containment. The fire continues to move northeastward into additionally rocky, cliff-faced terrain on Table Mountain. The fire has crossed Pusch Ridge and is creeping into the upper elevations of Pima Canyon.
The management strategy continues to be full suppression of the fire with the primary objective being firefighter and public safety, with emphasis on protecting the surrounding communities and private property.