Fire in Santa Ritas burns 535 acres

A lightning-induced fire that started Saturday in the Santa Rita Mountains was stifled Tuesday after burning 535 acres and causing concern in Corona de Tucson.

“The fire is not out,” said Rachael Hohl, Coronado National Forest spokes person.   “There will be smokes that pop up over the next few days.”

The Nogales Ranger District firefighters will continue to monitor the fire.

The fire started in a remote location on the 5,400-foot elevation of Mount Fagan.

To reduce fuel accumulation, the fire was “managed” to help protect the area from future wildfires, Hoel said.

The Fagan fire burned grass and dry brush at the north end of the Santa Ritas.

Most of  the crews that had been battling the blaze went home Tuesday. 

No injuries were reported, and no structures were threatened.

In July 2005, 13 firefighters were injured and $8.1 million was spent putting out the Florida fire, which burned 23,183 acres in the Santa Ritas.

amackey@gvnews.com|547-9726