Single Publication

Sells, AZ – The Southeast Arizona Type Three Incident Management Team assumed command over the Contreras Fire this morning at 0600. The fire was mapped by Infrared Flight overnight at 1,670 acres, with no containment at this time. Hot and dry winds from the south/southwest are pushing the fire to the north/northeast predominantly. The fire remained active throughout the night and into the morning, moving through the drought stressed vegetation.

Smoke from the fire is visible from Sells and Three Points, however, it does not pose a threat to communities.

Firefighters remain focused on structure protection at the Elk Horn Ranch, which is approximately a half mile south of the fire and assessing areas to the north and east of the current fire area.

Evacuations: None

Management Objective: Reduce fire intensity using aircraft, giving firefighters time to assess the fire landscape. Future objectives will include working with the Bureau of Land Management Gila District and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management to develop a successful management strategy that will keep the fire as small as safety possible while protecting firefighter and public safety.

Operational Update: Firefighters continue to assess the fire situation. Air support being utilized to keep the fire size as small as possible as it burns down steep and inaccessible slopes.

Background: The Contreras Fire started June 11 on a remote ridge of the Baboquivari Mountain range, north of the Baboquivari Peak, 20 miles east of Sells, Arizona on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation.

Primary and Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tohono O’odham Nation, Bureau of Land Management.

A fire update will be released when significant activity occurs. Visit InciWeb for the most current fire information.