Photos: The Burro Fire burns in mountains near Tucson, but is nearly contained
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Blaze started on June 30, closing Summerhaven and recreational areas. But the Catalina Highway reopened Friday, and visitors flocked to the mountain.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Fire crews stage at the intersection of General Hitchcock Highway and Upper Solders Camp Road as they manage the Burro Fire and the related closure of Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Steven Sanders, left, general manager of the Sawmill Run restaurant, talks with Mount Lemmon Fire chief Stan Wagaman during a press conference to update on progress fighting the Burro Fire and the related closure of Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
General manager Steven Sanders, right, and assistant kitchen manager John Kotlaba ready the Sawmill Run restaurant for a hopeful reopening later this week just off Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Sandra Lopez, public information officer for the Southwest Area Incident Management Team, speaks during a press conference to update on progress fighting the Burro Fire and the related closure of Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Carol Mark, a mountain resident and volunteer firefighter dons her Burro Fire t-shirt as she listens during a press conference to update on progress fighting the Burro Fire and the related closure of Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Sam Beal, left, general manager of the Mount Lemmon Cookie Cabin, drops off a box full of cookies to Ryan Traina of the New York City Fire Deparatment, working on the incident management team for fire managers and agency officials after a press conference to update on progress fighting the Burro Fire and the related closure of Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Burro Fire burns on the northeastern slopes of the Catalina Mountains as viewed from west of Redington on July 7, 2015.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Burro Fire burns on the northeastern slopes of the Catalina Mountains as viewed from west of Redington on July 7, 2015.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
An air attack helicopter heads out for another bucket load as the Burro Fire burns on the northeastern slopes of the Catalina Mountains as viewed from west of Redington on July 7, 2015.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Burro Fire burns on the northeastern slopes of the Catalina Mountains as viewed from west of Redington.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Burro Fire burns on the northeastern slopes of the Catalina Mountains, as viewed from west of Redington.
Burro Fire
- Mike Craddock
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Night burnout operations on the Burro Fire in the Santa Catalina Mountains on July 5, 2017.
Burro Fire
- Mike Craddock
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Night burnout operations on the Burro Fire in the Santa Catalina Mountains on July 5, 2017.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Smoke kicks up over the Burro Fire as a crew from Eldorado National Forest in California heads up Catalina Highway on July 5, 2017, northeast of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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The flames of the Burro Fire glow over the eastern Santa Catalinas and the western Redington foothills above the light of several dozen homes, Monday, July 3, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
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A DC-10 VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) from Mesa Gateway Airport turns to make a retardant drop on the Burro Fire burning in the Santa Catalina Mountains northeast of Tucson, Ariz. on July 3, 2017.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Jay Lusher, operations section chief, leads a small conference of personnel. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
KC Houston, left, and Kailee Jones, with Houston's Trails End catering, portion out pies donated by the community for firefighters. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
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A crew from the Angeles National Forest take a breather in the cafeteria.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
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A sign of appreciation on the cafeteria at the Burro Fire command post. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
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A firefighting crew from Mount Shasta assembles a tent on the sports fields at Sabino. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
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A sign directs to the fire information center. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Burro Fire
- Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
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Expensive homes at the end of Soldier Trail on July 3, 2017, just below the Catalina Highway (center left), which was closed due to the Burro Fire burning beyond the ridge in the top of the photo.
Burro Fire
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Approximately 150 people came to the public information meeting regarding the Burro Fire at Sahuaro High School, 545 North Camino Seco. The wildfire started on Friday and has forced evacuations of residents and visitors from Mount Lemmon. Monday July 03, 2017.
070417-news-burrofire-p15.jpg
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Approximately 150 people came to the public information meeting regarding the Burro Fire at Sahuaro High School, 545 North Camino Seco. The wildfire started on Friday and has forced evacuations of residents and visitors from Mount Lemmon. Monday July 03, 2017. Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
070417-news-burrofire-p10.jpg
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
George Atkinson, middle, speaks with Bea Day, left, and Jay Lusher, of the Southwest Area Incident Management Team after a public information meeting regarding the Burro Fire at Sahuaro High School, 545 North Camino Seco. Atkinson has owned a cabin on Mount Lemmon for 25 years. The wildfire started on Friday and has forced evacuations of residents and visitors from Mt. Lemmon. Monday July 03, 2017. Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
070417-news-burrofire-p13.jpg
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Jay Lusher, lower right, operation section chief for Southwest Area Incident Management Team, talks during a public information meeting regarding the Burro Fire at Sahuaro High School, 545 North Camino Seco. The wildfire started on Friday and has forced evacuations of residents and visitors from Mount Lemmon. Monday July 03, 2017. Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
070417-news-burrofire-p11.jpg
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Paul Cobb looks over the map that shows the Burro Fire before the start of a public information meeting at Sahuaro High School, 545 North Camino Seco. Cobb has owned a cabin on Mount. Lemmon since 1986. He says his cabin made it through both the Bullock and Aspen Fires. The Burro wildfire started on Friday and has forced evacuations of residents and visitors from Mt. Lemmon. Monday July 03, 2017. Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Burro Fire
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Cheryl Bender, program manager for American Red Cross Disaster Services - Southern Arizona, talks with Barb Johnson, far left, and Leanne Mac, inside the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library on July 3, 2017. Both women evacuated from Summerhaven Monday morning due to the Burro Fire. The Red Cross set up an information center for evacuees at the library.
Burro Fire
- Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Pyrocumulus clouds from the Burro Fire burning in the eastern Santa Catalina Mountains rise high above the smoke on July 3, 2017.
Burro Fire
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Ross McKillop, left, and Robert Lemieux, of the Pima County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers, allow a U.S. Forest Service wildfire crew up Mount Lemmon Highway towards the Burro Fire on Monday July 03, 2017. The highway was closed at the base of the mountains due to mandatory evacuations.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
A helicopter makes a water drop as the Burro Fire burns north of Redington Pass on June 30, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The Burro Fire glows under the night sky near Redington Pass on July 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
A DC-10 VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) makes a fire retardant drop on the Burro Fire as it burns north of Redington Pass on June 30, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
A helicopter heads in with a full water bucket to make a drop as the Burro Fire burns north of Redington Pass on June 30, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Coronado Forest fire crews prep a light helicopter for water drops to attack the Burro Fire at about MP 7 north of Redington Road in Coronado National Forest.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
A DC-10 VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) makes a fire retardant drop on the Burro Fire as it burns north of Redington Pass on June 30, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
A Chinook twin-rotor helicopter heads in to combat the Burro Fire north of Redington Pass on June 30, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Fire crews stage at the intersection of General Hitchcock Highway and Upper Solders Camp Road as they manage the Burro Fire and the related closure of Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Steven Sanders, left, general manager of the Sawmill Run restaurant, talks with Mount Lemmon Fire chief Stan Wagaman during a press conference to update on progress fighting the Burro Fire and the related closure of Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
General manager Steven Sanders, right, and assistant kitchen manager John Kotlaba ready the Sawmill Run restaurant for a hopeful reopening later this week just off Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Sandra Lopez, public information officer for the Southwest Area Incident Management Team, speaks during a press conference to update on progress fighting the Burro Fire and the related closure of Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Carol Mark, a mountain resident and volunteer firefighter dons her Burro Fire t-shirt as she listens during a press conference to update on progress fighting the Burro Fire and the related closure of Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Sam Beal, left, general manager of the Mount Lemmon Cookie Cabin, drops off a box full of cookies to Ryan Traina of the New York City Fire Deparatment, working on the incident management team for fire managers and agency officials after a press conference to update on progress fighting the Burro Fire and the related closure of Catalina Highway on July 11, 2017, in Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon north of Tucson, Ariz.
Burro Fire
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Approximately 150 people came to the public information meeting regarding the Burro Fire at Sahuaro High School, 545 North Camino Seco. The wildfire started on Friday and has forced evacuations of residents and visitors from Mount Lemmon. Monday July 03, 2017.
070417-news-burrofire-p15.jpg
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Approximately 150 people came to the public information meeting regarding the Burro Fire at Sahuaro High School, 545 North Camino Seco. The wildfire started on Friday and has forced evacuations of residents and visitors from Mount Lemmon. Monday July 03, 2017. Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
070417-news-burrofire-p10.jpg
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
George Atkinson, middle, speaks with Bea Day, left, and Jay Lusher, of the Southwest Area Incident Management Team after a public information meeting regarding the Burro Fire at Sahuaro High School, 545 North Camino Seco. Atkinson has owned a cabin on Mount Lemmon for 25 years. The wildfire started on Friday and has forced evacuations of residents and visitors from Mt. Lemmon. Monday July 03, 2017. Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
070417-news-burrofire-p13.jpg
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Jay Lusher, lower right, operation section chief for Southwest Area Incident Management Team, talks during a public information meeting regarding the Burro Fire at Sahuaro High School, 545 North Camino Seco. The wildfire started on Friday and has forced evacuations of residents and visitors from Mount Lemmon. Monday July 03, 2017. Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
070417-news-burrofire-p11.jpg
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Paul Cobb looks over the map that shows the Burro Fire before the start of a public information meeting at Sahuaro High School, 545 North Camino Seco. Cobb has owned a cabin on Mount. Lemmon since 1986. He says his cabin made it through both the Bullock and Aspen Fires. The Burro wildfire started on Friday and has forced evacuations of residents and visitors from Mt. Lemmon. Monday July 03, 2017. Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Burro Fire
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Cheryl Bender, program manager for American Red Cross Disaster Services - Southern Arizona, talks with Barb Johnson, far left, and Leanne Mac, inside the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library on July 3, 2017. Both women evacuated from Summerhaven Monday morning due to the Burro Fire. The Red Cross set up an information center for evacuees at the library.
Burro Fire
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Ross McKillop, left, and Robert Lemieux, of the Pima County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers, allow a U.S. Forest Service wildfire crew up Mount Lemmon Highway towards the Burro Fire on Monday July 03, 2017. The highway was closed at the base of the mountains due to mandatory evacuations.
More information
- Burro Fire: Blaze spreads to over 21,000 acres, crews to use Mount Lemmon highway as fire break
- 2 arrested during protest at Sen. Jeff Flake's Tucson office
- Burro Fire in Catalina Mountains now at 26,000 acres, 19 percent contained
- Gov. Doug Ducey: Ex inmates in Arizona's fire-crew program given a real second chance
- Afternoon storms help fight Burro Fire in Catalina Mountains
- They're finally here — monsoon rains soak Tucson
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