UPDATE (12:27 p.m., Aug. 10):
According to a social media post from the U.S. Forest Service, the Finger Ridge Fire "showed no movement overnight and received moisture across portions of the fire's footprint."
The post said, the Forest Service is anticipating that the fire will keep smoldering until the expected rainfall tonight.
At that point, the rain should extinguish and hot spots that remain, the post said.
Finger Rock Trail is back open and available for use. Visitors are asked to use caution in the heat.
UPDATE— (Sun. 2:52 p.m.)
The Fire is now 50% contained with the size now at 67 acres, the Coronado National Forest said Sunday afternoon.
Expected rain is also likely to put out any remaining hot spots later in the evening.
The Coronado National Forest also saying firefighters will stay engaged through the night to put out the fire.
There is also still no property at risk, and the Finger Rock Trail will remain off limits.
UPDATE— (Sun. 2:36 p.m.)
The Finger Ridge Fire did not grow overnight, the Coronado National Forest said on Facebook Sunday morning.
With chances of rain, thunderstorms, heavy winds, and high temperatures, direct-containment tactics will not be used until it's safe for firefighters to do so.
Finger Rock Trail also remains closed as fire crews use it as an access point.
UPDATE— (Sat. 5:29 p.m.)
The Finger Ridge Fire remains at approximately 20 acres and 0% containment as of Saturday evening, according to the Santa Catalina Ranger District. The fire started at 10:33 p.m. Friday near Finger Rock Canyon and was caused by lightning.
Finger Rock Trail remains closed, serving as an access point for firefighters as they build out indirect and direct fire containment lines. There are no evacuations and no values at risk at this time.
Fire officials say the blaze showed low activity Saturday and stayed within its existing footprint, with minimal smoke visible from the surrounding area. Smoke could become visible again as the sun sets, which officials say reflects increased contrast in low light rather than new fire growth.
A infrared flight is scheduled for Sunday morning to give crews a more precise measurement of the fire's size.
Separately, Saturday's high heat led to multiple rescues in the area. The Southern Arizona Rescue Association responded to calls in Sabino Canyon, at Tanque Verde Falls and on Finger Rock Trail as temperatures in Tucson reached 105 degrees. Officials are urging hikers to avoid the trails during the hottest parts of the day, citing dehydration risks to both hikers and the rescue crews and firefighters who would need to respond.
UPDATE— (Sat. 8:11 a.m.)
The U.S. Forest Service has confirmed that lightning from Friday night's thunderstorms has sparked a 20-acre fire on the Catalina Mountains by Finger Rock Canyon. There are currently no evacuation orders in the area.
As of right now, the fire is at 0% containment; firefighter crews are waiting on additional air and ground support to contain the fire. They are expecting storms and the rough terrain of the area to cause some challenges.
However, firefighters are currently using indirect fire containment while more resources arrive and more direct measures against the fire can be taken.
The U.S. Forest Service says smoke will be visible from the area throughout the day.
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A new wildfire broke out in the Catalina Foothills Friday night after lightning moved through the area, according to KGUN9's meteorology team.
A KGUN9 meteorologist spotted the fire while monitoring conditions Friday evening.
The station's Baron weather tracking equipment detected several powerful lightning strikes in the area shortly before 10 p.m. Radar imagery captured at 9:48 p.m. Friday showed the storm activity over the region.
The fire is burning in the Catalina Foothills area. Size and containment information was not immediately available.
It's unclear which agency is responding to the fire.
There is no immediate word on evacuations or road closures.
KGUN9 has a crew gathering video from the scene. This story will be updated.
