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Brush fire in S. AZ grows to 1,400 acres

Posted at 11:53 AM, Feb 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-09 15:02:51-05

Multiple agencies are attempting to contain a fire near Arivaca that was started by a Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Combat Search and Rescue training mission.

On Tuesday morning, Arizona State Forestry spokesperson Kevin Bailey said the fire was at 1,400 acres and was 25% contained after starting at 12:30 p.m. on Monday. The fire is 1.5 miles northeast of Arivaca on Arivaca Road at mile marker 3. 

Base officials say, as part of the training mission, an Airman on the ground attempted to signal an aircraft overhead in order to indicate his location and inadvertently started a fire. 

Green Valley Fire, Arivaca Fire, Elephant Head Fire, Tubac Fire, AZ State Land, Rio Rico Fire and Nogales Fire are responding to the fire that is burning in grass and brush.

Seven engines are assigned to the fire, along with a water tender, three 20-person crews and a helicopter.

Bailey said that crews did good work last night and there was some frost overnight - that helped dampen the area. On Tuesday, a helicopter will be used to get a more accurate mapping of the area effected.