PIMA COUNTY, Ariz. — A wildfire burning in southern Arizona is 70% contained as of Thursday after igniting on Sunday
The Presumido Peak Fire has burned more than 2,500 acres as of Thursday afternoon, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Crews are mopping up areas of low fire activity.
Firefighters for much of the week dealt with red flag warnings and wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour, the department said.
Crews and firefighting aircraft were called in to control the blaze burning about 20 miles west of Green Valley in Pima County.
Authorities said the fire was burning on Tohono O’odham Nation land. A VLAT, one of the largest firefighting aircraft in the nation, was called in to help.
No evacuation orders have been issued, but authorities say the smoke and flames are visible to several communities.
What started the fire is being investigated, but is believed to be human-caused.
The Presumido Peak Fire is one of the first significant wildfires of the year
The Fire Potential Outlook, a fire forecast put out by the National Interagency Fire Center in Idaho, predicts above-average fire danger for the southern part of Arizona.
This is a developing story. Stay with 12 News for the latest updates.
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Wildfire Go-Kit:
Residents in evacuation areas are urged to have an emergency supplies kit to bring with them when leaving their homes, especially as Arizona residents are beginning to see widespread fire activity throughout the state.
An emergency supply kit should be put together long before a wildfire or another disaster occurs. Make sure to keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that residents near a disaster store emergency supplies in a plastic tub, small suitcase, trash can, backpack, or other containers.
Residents should make sure they have the necessities, such as three gallons of water per person and a three-day supply of ready-to-eat food, the NFPA said. A first-aid kit, prescription medications, contact lenses, and non-prescription drugs should also be taken into account.
Copies of any important family documents, including insurance policies, identification, bank account records, and emergency contact numbers should also be taken and put into a waterproof, portable container in your kit, the NFPA said.
The association lists other items that would help in a disaster, including:
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and an NOAA weather radio to receive up-to-date information
- Dust mask or cotton T-shirt to filter the air
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Complete change of clothing including long pants, long sleeve shirts, and sturdy shoes stored in a waterproof container
- Signal flare
The entire NFPA checklist of supplies can be found here.