Update 5/17/2016: What looks like the end of the Montrose Fire – from InciWeb:
No smoke has not been observed over the Montrose Fire for two days. Fire managers will continue monitoring the fire area over the next several weeks.
This will be the last update for the Montrose Fire unless circumstances change.
Update 5/15/2016, 4:30PM: The Montrose Fire continues to be listed as 80% contained, from a recent update:
The Montrose Fire, first discovered May 12, on the Coronado National Forest Catalina District, remains 80% contained. It is located near Box Spring 3 miles northwest of Rose Canyon Lake. One hotshot crew remains on the incident. With high winds in the Santa Catalina Mountains, their diligence is intended to prevent the fire from again becoming active. No smoke has been detected today. The crew will spend the remainder of the day and this evening monitoring the fire to ensure the perimeter is secure.
Rose Canyon Lake has been reopened for recreationists. Rose Canyon Campground is also open.
5/14/2016:
The Montrose Fire started on 5/12/2016 and, unlike the Finger Rock Fire in 2015 that was allowed to burn, there was a very prompt effort to suppress the fire – undoubtedly due to it’s proximity to homes and infrastructure on the mountain.
- Inciweb Page on the Montrose Fire.
- Currently listed as human caused and under investigation.
- The fire is currently being mopped up and is listed as 13 acres/50% contained – on Friday in late afternoon we were unable to see any smoke from the fire on the Sunset Trail.
- The fire is in the Sabino Canyon drainage in the Box Spring area of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness (below the gauging station and above Brinkley Point). This area burned in the Aspen Fire (2003).
- 60 Personnel are listed as committed to the fire – there were Payson and Geronimo Hot Shot Crew Vehicles at the Box Camp Trailhead on Friday and helicopters dropped water from Rose Canyon Lake.
- News coverage: Fire on Mount Lemmon burns about 12 acres – Tucson.com, GVFD helps answer call to fire in Catalina Mountains – sahuaritasun.com, UPDATE: Crews still working to contain the wildfire on Mt. Lemmon – Tucson News Now.
