Crews contain wildfire that sparked near Biosphere 2 north of Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Arizona forestry officials said a wildfire that sparked near Biosphere 2 early Sunday, June 4, is 100% contained.

The fire, which started approximately 1/2-mile from the Biosphere, burned 13 acres.

Forestry officials said there was no threat to the Biosphere 2 facility, but resources, including one Department of Forestry and Fire Management hand crew and local cooperator engines will remain on the fire until there is 100% containment.

Around 8:30 a.m. Sunday, a rancher in the area saw smoke and notified employees at the Biosphere 2 who in turn called 911.

Resources from DFFM, along with Golder Ranch Fire District and Northwest Fire were able to box in the fire within a few hours of its start. The fire started on a hillside and was burning through grass and brush before it hit a ridgetop and started backing down the hill toward Biosphere 2.

Aircraft, including two Single Engine Air Tankers and DFFM’s Air Attack platform assisted crews on the ground with retardant drops to help slow the fire’s growth.

There were no evacuations and no structures were destroyed or damaged. The cause of the fire is undetermined.

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