Smoke billows from the Bighorn Fire, June 16, 2020.
This story may be updated. Check the Bighorn Fire update page for the most recent alerts.
Pima County issued an evacuation order Tuesday afternoon for residents of Summerhaven and Mount Lemmon as a result of the Bighorn Fire.
The "GO" order posted on Pima County Sheriff's Department Twitter account calls for residents of Summerhaven and the surrounding area to "evacuate immediately" due to immediate and life-threatening conditions. Pima County sheriff's officials were going door-to-door to alert residents of the evacuation order.
❗️GO! - Evacuate❗️ The general boundaries of the zone are Mt. Lemmon/ Mt. Bigelow north of Organization Ridge Rd, including Summerhaven are asked to EVACUATE NOW. Full release here https://t.co/ouqAWEhae1. Interactive Map here https://t.co/7MQhGOy1cJ #BighornFire pic.twitter.com/Y1jnHTil3b
— Pima County Sheriff's Department (@PimaSheriff) June 16, 2020
The sheriff's department also issued a "SET" alert for lower Catalina Highway/lower Mount Lemmon communities, putting them on notice to be prepared for developments.
The Red Cross said it was opening an evacuation center at Sahuaro High School, 545 N. Camino Seco, and a large-animal shelter was set for Rillito Racetrack, 4502 N. First Avenue.
The latest update shows the fire has burned nearly 15,000 acres and is 30% contained.
The lightning caused fire began on the night of June 5 in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness near Oro Valley.
In central Arizona, three communities were evacuated and parts of two state highways were closed because of a nearby blaze that officials said had grown dramatically overnight. Another large fire was burning north of the Grand Canyon in a national forest.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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