Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

National Fire Plan banner

National Fire Plan Success Story

Interagency Partners Respond to Mission Fire
Tumacácori National Historical Park, Arizona
National Fire Plan - Firefighting
2008

Smoke column from the Mission Fire.
Smoke column from the Mission Fire on April 2, 2008. NPS photo by Perry Grissom.

A Community Wildfire Awareness Meeting.
A Community Wildfire Awareness Meeting held on April 23 attracted over a dozen local homeowners. NPS photo by Perry Grissom.

The Mission Fire was reported around 9 a.m. on April 2, 2008 near the south boundary of Tumacácori National Historical Park. More than 100 federal, state, and local personnel responded to the fire, including Tubac Fire District, Arivaca Fire Department, Green Valley Fire District, Nogales and Nogales Suburban Fire Departments, Rio Rico Fire District, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Arizona State Forestry Division, Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Union Pacific Railroad Security, and the Arizona Department of Transportation. The fire burned north along the east side of the Santa Cruz River through riparian cottonwood and willow. The Tubac Fire District was first on scene and assumed command of the fire as it fell within their jurisdictional area. Thick riparian growth and rapid rate of spread made firefighting difficult.

Red flag conditions were forecasted and firefighters were concerned that high winds might push the fire west of the river and threaten nearby residences bordering the park. However, firefighters were successful in holding the fire east of the river, and no structures were threatened. Moderate to high burn severity occurred over much of the area. Many of the mature cottonwood trees, which are not adapted to fire, may have been killed. The fire was contained on the evening of April 3. A total of 110 acres burned, 85 acres of which were in the park.

Following the fire, Tumacácori National Historical Park partnered with the Tubac Fire District and the Coronado National Forest to host two community wildfire awareness meetings on April 21 and 23. The meetings included an overview Tumacácori’s Mission Fire as well as another recent wildfire near Tubac. Presentations also included information about how homeowners can prepare for wildfire season and what to do when wildfire approaches. Burned area safety and post-fire restoration and challenges were also addressed.

More than a dozen local residents attended the meetings. Local media incorporated coverage of the community meetings into their wildfire awareness week stories, helping to spread fire prevention and preparedness messages to a wider audience.

Contact: Lisa Carrico, Superintendent, (529) 398-2341 x 52.