Huge wildfire burning southwest of Tucson

[Jeffshadows]

The Elk Horn fire raging 50 miles southwest of Tucson has charred about 5,300 acres near the Baboquivari Peak Wilderness area. Smoke billowing on the high peaks can be seen for miles. The Arizona State Forestry Division says the fire is expected to burn for the next several days. They say in addition to high winds the biggest challenge is getting to the fire through steep and rugged terrain. Staging 17 miles south of three points firefighters run a constant supply of water and supplies up the mountain. No buildings are threatened and the fire is eight percent contained. Nearby resident Mike Jones says the Elk Horn fire lights up the night sky like a furnace. Jones drove to the fire Saturday night and brought his camera with him. "I took a picture of one of the young men and as I got closer I say can I take a close up picture. He says, 'nah. You know ... I'd rather not.' And he had just come off the mountain and you know these guys are heroes. They put their lives on the line for us."

The Arizona State Forestry Division says residents can expect to see more smoke in the days ahead because the fire will only get bigger as crews conduct burn out operations. They also say paramedics took one firefighter to the hospital after suffering a bee sting. Meanwhile, the Slavin Gulch Fire -- on the west side of the Dragoon Mountains -- has charred about 80 acres. Crews have contained two other fires near Nogales and Sierra Vista -- that have charred a combined total of 3,500 acres.

[dysfunction]

oooooo I was wondering if there had been any media about that when I saw it last weekend. Thanks!

[azbackpackr]

My son told me about this fire. He just got a job down in Arivaca at a school/ranch. Not sure how far it is from there, but hope he doesn't have to be evacuated from his new job!

[aa7jc]

The smoke is thick down here in Sierra Vista thanks to the wind