The Bighorn Fire moves onto the southern slopes of the Santa Catalina Mountains and burns above several foothills neighborhoods between Campbell and Swan, Tucson, Ariz., June 10, 2020.

Editor's Note: This story was updated Tuesday, July 7. For the latest updates about the fire and evacuation orders go to pima.gov/bighorn or call the info line (520) 351-FIRE.

Full-time residents of Summerhaven and business owners and employees work in the Mount Lemmon town will be allowed to return starting Tuesday, July 7 with restrictions. 

The area has been under evacuation orders for several days while crews battled the Bighorn Fire in the Catalina Mountains. The fire has burned 119,020 acres and is now 75% contained. 

Residents and employees will be escorted up and town the mountain by Pima County Sheriff's Department following a certain schedule. Find the schedule and all of the details on the sheriff's department Facebook page here

Mount Lemmon and Mount Bigelow remain closed to the public. 

Evacuation and pre-evacuation orders for surrounding areas remain in effect for the areas listed below. This map is constantly updated as alerts are issued and shows the affected areas.

"Go" - Evacuate immediately

  • Mount Lemmon
  • Summerhaven
  • Mount Bigelow
  • Lower Catalina Highway/lower Mount Lemmon from Organization Ridge Road to South Willow Canyon

"Set" - Be ready

  • no "set" alerts

"Ready" - Prepare now

  • The areas of the eastern Catalinas, east of Mt. Lemmon highway at mile post 3, north of Redington Road, bounded on the north and east by the county lines to include the community of Redington
  • The southeastern Catalinas areas around Redington Road, bounded by the forest service boundary on the west and by the county line on the east 
  • Community of Oracle
  • Portions of east Golder Ranch area
  • Catalina foothills areas east of Kolb Road within northern areas of Ventana Canyon neighborhoods
  • Peppersauce Canyon to Highjinks Road and Campo Benito
  • Oro Valley areas from Catalina State Park south to Magee Road
  • Catalina foothills areas from First Avenue to Alvernon Way 
  • Catalina Foothills between Alvernon Way and Kolb Road, north of Skyline Drive

Learn more about the state's Ready, Set, Go evacuation alert system here

Sabino Canyon, Bear Canyon and Catalina State Park are closed. Large areas of the Santa Catalina Ranger District in the Coronado National Forest are restricted. Find more information about Coronado National Forest closures here.

Residents can use an evacuation center set up by the American Red Cross at Sahuaro High School, 545 N. Camino Seco. The Red Cross of Southern Arizona can also help residents who are at high risk for COVID-19 find appropriate and safe shelter. 

"We have heard from people who don’t have anywhere else to go saying that because they are at high risk for severe complications from COVID-19, they don’t want to evacuate and go to a shelter,” explained Courtney Slanaker, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Arizona said in a news release. “We are doing everything we can to avoid congregate sheltering. Your safety is our priority; getting you to a safe area, both away from the threat of fire and isolated from other people who you don’t live with.”

For help from the Red Cross after hours call 520-429-3686.

Shelter for large animals can be found at Rillito Racetrack, 4502 N. First Ave.

Authorities urge residents to be on alert and ready to evacuate as conditions can change quickly, adding that emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department urges people to stay away from affected areas if they do not live there so that fire crews can access areas quickly.

A temporary flight restriction has been placed over the fire zone to prevent drones from flying in the area. 

Tucson organizations and groups are making resources available for those affected by the fire and evacuation order. 

We will update and add to this list as more information becomes available. If your organization is helping evacuees and want to be added to this list please email us here.

We have created the Bighorn Fire Tucson Helping Evacuees Facebook group where those offering services and help and those who need it can connect. 

Officials have shared that food, beverages or other donated items cannot be accepted by firefighters or personnel working to contain the fire. Those wishing to express their gratitude can share a note on the Encouragement and Gratitude for the Bighorn Fire Fighter Crews Facebook page. 

For updates and information

• Area residents who have questions about the fire or evacuations are asked to call 520-351-3473

• Get the latest updates about the Bighorn Fire from Pima County.

• The Bighorn Fire Info Facebook page has all of the latest operations updates and other important information about the fire.

• Residents in the danger area and the general public can sign up for the Pima County Emergency Alert push alert message system here.

For shelter and places to stay

• Residents can use an evacuation center set up by the American Red Cross at Sahuaro High School, 545 N. Camino Seco and can also find additional information and help there.

• An evacuation cooling center has been set up by the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross at Canyon del Oro High School, 25 W. Calle Concordia.

• For assistance after hours from the Red Cross call 520-429-3686.

Several hotels are offering discounted rates for residents who have been evacuated:

For pets and livestock

• Pima Animal Care Center is making space available in its kennels to board pets from families who need to evacuate their homes. Many of the shelter's animals are in foster homes so kennels are already open, PACC said in a news release. The shelter can care for dogs, cats, birds, and pocket pets including gerbils, hamsters and rats. To make arrangements for your pet call 520-724-5961

• For evacuees who need to board livestock, you can call Martina Gonzales at the Rillito Racetrack at 520-419-2369.

• VCA Valley Animal Hospital and Emergency Care Center, 4984 E. 22nd Street, is offering free boarding for pets for residents impacted by the Bighorn Fire. Call 520-748-0331 to make arrangements. 

• Sabino Canyon Pet Resort, 2001 N. Sabino Canyon Road, has space available for boarding pets including dogs, cats, birds and other small animals. Call 520-290-8181 to make arrangements. The business also has several drivers who can help transport pets. 

• Two Facebook groups, Bighorn Fire Evacuation with Livestock and Pets and Bighorn Fire Livestock Evacuation Assistance, have information from people all throughout Tucson who can offer help with transporting and housing livestock.

The Big Mutt Network has foster families on standby for displaced dogs. Call 815-673-8145 to make arrangements.

For storage 

• U-Haul Moving & Storage is offering up to 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container storage for people affected by the Bighorn Fire. The participating locations include:


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