Oak Fire burns roughly 3,200 acres south of Tucson; 60% contained
SONOITA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- Fire crews in southern Arizona are working to contain a massive brush fire that ignited on Friday afternoon.
Around 1 p.m., the Coronado National Forest reported a fire burning approximately 10 miles northwest of Sonoita. The fire has burned roughly 3,213 acres, and winds are pushing the flames north and east. Crews are using different fire suppression techniques to try to contain it. The Coronado National Forest says the fire is 60% contained as of Saturday afternoon.
Firefighters are using a backburn operation to try and control the flames by lighting another fire close to the edge of it as a way to burn out the fuel between the brush fire and an established control line. Air resources are also being used to drop fire retardant onto the flames.
Highway 83 is closed in both directions due to the fire, but crews are expected to open the roadway by 8 p.m. on Saturday.
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