The Heavy Fire is burning near the Helvetia Mine on the north end of the Santa Rita Mountains, southeast of Sahuarita. Several units from Coronado National Forest, Green Valley Fire District and other cooperating agencies are assigned to the fire, which was reported at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The fire started on private land near Helvetia and burned onto Coronado National Forest, according to the forest service, which added that the fire is holding at about 50 acres within retardant and burnout lines.
Incident commanders used air tankers from Libby Army Air Field in Sierra Vista and very large DC-10 air tankers from Mesa Gateway Airport to create a band of retardant lines to keep the fire in check.
An air tanker drops retardant onto the Heavy Fire burning near the Helvetia Mine in the Santa Rita Mountains in south of Tucson, Ariz. on June 16, 2021.
The Pinnacle Fire burning in Coronado National Forest started June 10 and has grown to more than 13,000 acres. Video by Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star 2021
Photos: Telegraph Fire becomes one of largest in Arizona history
Telegraph Fire
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Traffic runs along Arizona Route 177 just north of Kearny, Ariz., as flames from the Telegraph Fire top a ridge in the mountains a few miles to the east, June 16, 2021.
Telegraph Fire
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Flames and smoke pour over a ridge as the Telegraph Fire burns in the mountains north east of Kearny, Ariz., June 16, 2021.
Telegraph Fire
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Smoke fills the skies west of the Telegraph Fire, nearly blotting out the sun as it sets over a saguaro off of the Kelvin Florence Road, Kearny, Ariz., June 16, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Telegraph Fire during several hours of chaotic fire behavior around El Capitan. In several instances, firefighters had to disengage and get to safety zones when flames pushed through.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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A Chinook helicopter drops water on the Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Firefighting crews from the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry are assigned to the Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Firefighting crews from the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry are assigned to the Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Firefighting crews from the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry are assigned to the Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Erickson Tanker 103 drops retardant on the Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Several hours of chaotic fire behavior during the Telegraph Fire around El Capitan. In several instances, firefighters had to disengage and get to safety zones when flames pushed through. Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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A DC-10 Very Large Air Tanker drops retardant on the Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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The Telegraph Fire burning along SR 77 near El Capitan the night of June 14.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Queen Valley and USFS crews on the Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
Telegraph Fire, Arizona
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Telegraph Fire in June, 2021.
