The department reminded residents to “keep in mind” the items they might need to for pets and livestock, and to stay updated on the latest fire news.
“Emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate,” the department said.
“All physical scientific observatory structures are still standing and in the case of the facilities on the South West ridge there is little visible external damage at this time; however several non-science buildings were lost,” NOIRLab said.
The fire is burning in highly flammable grass and brush in steep, rugged terrain that is difficult for firefighters to access, according to InciWeb.
The blaze began June 11 on a remote ridge of a mountain range on the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation, InciWeb says. It lists the cause as lightning.
