All evacuations lifted for Monument Fire
Web Producer: Marissa Pasquet
TUCSON (KGUN-TV) - The Monument fire's current size is 30,526 acres, containment at this time is 85 percent. The Cochise County Sheriff lifted all evacuations within the affected fire area for the Monument Fire at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.
Another Incident Management Team will be arriving in the area on Monday. This team will shadow the current team and assume command on Tuesday. There will be a Community Meeting on Monday at 6:00 PM to introduce the new team. The meeting will be at Buena High School in the lecture pod.
With operations winding down, excess resources are being released. Saturday, a highly unusual incident occurred involving a Heli-tanker assigned to the incident, when a snorkel swung into the chin bubble on the co-pilot's side of the aircraft, breaking the plexiglass bubble. The helicopter landed safely and there were no injuries.
Fire behavior is expected to be minimal Sunday. At the upper end of Carr Canyon crews worked with air support to construct hand line, preventing fire from spreading into Ramsey Canyon. Crews conducted hazardous fuel reduction along the Garden Canyon road.
On the southwest side of the fire, crews continued to construct hand line using both limited burnout operations and retardant air drops on the ridge between Blind Canyon and Ida Canyon. Approximately two miles of line still need to be constructed to connect Oversight Canyon with Carr Canyon.
Residents are encouraged to remember there is still residual heat within the fire perimeter. Crews had to put out smokes caused by residents putting leaves into culverts. With operations winding down, excess resources are being released.
Fire information bulletin boards are set up at food court at the Sierra Vista Mall and the Windemere Hotel: fact sheets and maps are posted throughout Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Tombstone, Palominas and Huachuca City.
The Coronado National Forest and National Memorial remain closed to all visitors. Those traveling along State Road 92 should be aware of increased fire traffic and the reduced speed limit (45 mph) in some areas.
There are 1,179 people assigned to the fire, including 27 crews,
92 engines, 7 helicopters, 30,526 acres Containment: 85%Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, DOD Fort Huachuca, Border Patrol, Cochise County, AZ State Land Department, AZ Game & Fish Department, AZ Department of Public Safety, City of Sierra Vista, Local Fire Departments Coronado National Memorial/Coronado National Forest Palominas Fire District, in the Huachuca Mountains.
The Monument Fire was reported June 12, 2011 at 1 p.m.
A Joint Information Center is open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Please call (800)288-3861 for any questions you may have. Please note that the center will close on Sunday, June 26th.
(Courtesy: Press release from Coronado National Forest Officials)
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