The Bull fire that started in Mexico southwest of Nogales, Arizona, has crossed the U.S./Mexico border and according to MODIS fire detection satellite maps is burning 5-7 miles west of Nogales. The fire has been very active over the last 24 hours and spread rapidly from Mexico into the United States.
The weather on Saturday will not slow down the fire, in fact firefighters are going to be challenged by 23 mph winds gusting up to 37 and a relative humidity of 14%. The predicted wind out of the southwest is not the most favorable wind direction for protecting the cities along the border, with the fire burning southwest of the populated areas.
Firefighters from the Coronado National Forest crossed the border on Friday and provided 40 firefighters, 2 helicopters, and one air attack plane to help Mexico firefighters suppress the fire. Now their hands are full dealing with the hundreds or thousands of acres burning on the U.S. side of the border.
Just to keep things interesting, another fire is burning in Mexico about 15-20 miles south of Nogales, and can be seen in the map above.
KGUN reports that Coronado National Forest officials said two firefighters were injured while working on the Bull fire on Friday and were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The National Situation Report, says 2,000 acres have burned and the fire is 0% contained, but it has little other information about the fire:
Bull, Coronado NF. IMT2 (Philbin). Ten miles west of Nogales, AZ. Grass and understory. Extreme fire behavior. Residences threatened
UPDATE at 10:52 a.m., MT, April 30, 2011
The Coronado National Forest just placed some information about the fire on InciWeb:
The Bull Fire is burning approximately five miles west of Nogales, Arizona on the Nogales Ranger District, Coronado National Forest. The fire is approximately 4,500 acres in size, located on both sides of the border with the International Republic of Mexico. Approximately 600 acres are burning in Arizona. 150 personnel are working the incident, assisted by aircraft. The Eastern Arizona Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered to assume command of the incident at 1800 hours local time 4/30/2011.
Significant Events: Burnover on 4/29/2011, with two personnel involved. Both individuals have been treated and released.
Planned Actions: Transition to Eastern Arizona Type 2 Team will occur at 6:00pm tonight 4/30/2011. Indirect attack and burnout operations with large amounts of fuel between firefighters and fire due to topography hazards and concerns.
UPDATE at 12:46 p.m., MT, April 30, 2011
The Nogales International is reporting that Heidi Schewel, a spokesperson for the Coronado National Forest, said the fire has burned 10,000 acres with 5,000 of those acres burning in Arizona.
Concerning the two firefighters that were injured in a burnover on Friday, she said one was released from the hospital on Friday. The second firefighter was discharged on Saturday after being treated for first- and second-degree burns.
UPDATE at 3:02 p.m., MT, April 30, 2011
A spokesperson for the Coronado National Forest, Marylee Peterson, told Wildfire Today that the fire has now burned 23,000 acres, with approximately 11,000 of those being on the U.S. side of the border. She said there are three Air Attacks, one lead plane, and two heavy air tankers working on the fire, as well as five engines. A Type 3 Incident Management Team will transition onto the fire at 6 p.m. Saturday evening.
My understanding that the two that were burned is being considered an entrapment. The 24 hour report is out.