Increased Moisture Has Decreased Fire Activity

Date: August 14, 2014
Contact: Fire Information Hotline, [phone]

Tucson, AZ – The Deer Head Fire continues to creep and smolder within the fire’s perimeter, however increased relative humidity and recent precipitation have limited the fire’s spread. The fire remains at approximately 1,097 acres and is 75% contained. 

The area of the Deer Head Fire received 0.16” of rain on Wednesday. The weather forecast for the area calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms on Thursday, with decreasing thunderstorm activity and drier conditions on Friday and Saturday. Thunderstorm activity may pick back up on Sunday or Monday. Yesterday, firefighters worked to rehabilitate trails and fire lines within areas of the fire which were no longer active. Firefighters will continue rehabilitation activities on Thursday, as weather allows. Firefighters continue to monitor the fire’s behavior to ensure that the fire remains in an area where they can safely manage it. Firefighters are currently being supported by personnel from the Coronado National Forest, Lincoln National Forest, Chiricahua National Monument and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. A Type 3 helicopter is also supporting the firefighters and assisting with demobilization.

Personnel from the Rincon Valley Fire District, the Gila National Forest and the 10-person hand crew from Yellowstone National Park are demobilizing from the fire today. Approximately 10 personnel, including the seven person Saguaro Wildland Fire Module and local overhead resources, will continue to staff the Deer Head Fire.

The lightning-caused fire is located in the federally-designated Wilderness area of the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. Lightning-ignited fires are important in maintaining healthy forests in the mountains of southern Arizona. Fire historically burned through the high elevation ponderosa pine forests of southeastern Arizona every few years. This low to moderate intensity surface fire is benefiting a fire-adapted ecosystem by clearing the forest floor of brush, grass, and ponderosa pine and oak litter, improving wildlife habitat and reducing hazardous fuel loads.

All Rincon Mountain District backcountry closures will remain in effect for the duration of the Deer Head Fire to ensure public safety.

For additional fire information visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ or: https://Facebook.com/SaguaroNationalPark or call the Fire Information Hotline at [phone].

NOTE:  Photos of the Deer Head Fire may be downloaded from InciWeb (<https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/photographs/3999/>).