AZ-CNF-MOLINA 2

Southwest Hotlist Questions and Discussion
#1

Molino 2 (AZ-CNF, Coronado National Forest) Discovered 4/30, 30 acres, ~17 miles ENE of Tucson (32 20.14, -110 41.95). 1 CRW2, 1 FASM, 1 FWAA, 2 LAT1, 1 HE3S, 1 HE1R On scene / responding. Additional Crew And Engines ordered

https://twitter.com/SWCCNewsNotes/status/1652832885500710912?t=ssHNSthSiFgPSXC74CraGA&s=19

Molino 2 Wildfire
Catalina Highway is CLOSED to all non-residents
Road Closure Hotline: (520) 547-7510
~150-200 acres
Location: The wildfire began in the bowl of the Molino Basin Shooting Area and is moving up both sides of the ridgeline north and south.
Please avoid the area

https://twitter.com/CoronadoNF/status/1652845080166924289?t=SSEzmx2_GEST3JZ_RdCQwA&s=19

Screenshot_20230430_173329_Samsung Internet
Screenshot_20230430_173329_Samsung Internet2160Ă—349 125 KB

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#2
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#3

Molino 2 Wildfire
Update: 5/1/2023 – 9:17 AM
Catalina Highway is CLOSED to all non-residents
Road Closure Hotline: (520) 547-7510
Acreage: Approximately 80 acres
Containment: 70%
Start Date: 4/30/2023
Weather: A red flag warning remains in effect for 11 AM on Monday, May 1, 2023. The overnight cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity aided firefighters in their efforts.
Location: The wildfire began in the bowl of the Molino Basin near a popular shooting area and is moving up both sides of the ridgeline north and south.
Today’s Action: Continue having hand crews tie in with the retardant lines and build out the line on both flanks. Air attack remains available if needed.
Resources: 3 engines, 2 helicopters, the Mormon Lake Hotshot Crew, 1 VLAT, state and local hand crews

We want to thank our visitors for their patience as we continue to respond to this wildfire.

Molino 2 Wildfire
Update: 4/30/2023 – 8:08 PM

Catalina Highway is CLOSED to all non-residents
Road Closure Hotline: (520) 547-7510
Acreage: Aviation mapping puts the wildfire at approximately 80 acres
Start Date: 4/30/2023
Weather: Tonight’s weather will be partly cloudy with westerly winds of 6 to 14 mph then at midnight switching and coming from the southeast. A red flag warning has been issued starting at 11 AM on Monday, May 1, 2023.
Location: The wildfire began in the bowl of the Molino Basin near a popular shooting area and is moving up both sides of the ridgeline north and south. The fire is currently at the ridgeline above the Molino Basin Campground. Aviation placed retardant around the forward edge of the fire as ground crews worked to tie in lines. The rough terrain adds complexity as ground crews work to build out the line. Resources will remain on the scene overnight with additional resources arriving in the morning.
Evacuations: Molino Basin Campground, Gordon Hirabayashi Campground, and General Hitchcock Campground
Resources: 3 engines, 2 helicopters, 1 VLAT, state and local hand crews

Molino 2 Wildfire
Catalina Highway is CLOSED to all non-residents
Road Closure Hotline: (520) 547-7510
Approximately 150-200 acres
Location: The wildfire began in the bowl of the Molino Basin near a popular shooting area and is moving up both sides of the ridgeline north and south. The fire is currently at the ridgeline above the Molino Basin Campground.
Evacuations: Molino Basin Campground, Gordon Hirabayashi Campground, and General Hitchcock Campground
Resources: 3 engines, 2 helicopters, 1 VLAT, state and local hand crews

Please avoid the area and use caution as there will be increased fire traffic on the road.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02Wa4wbLDwP2cTqzxRVCNrGQi9mfbvyU9WrwbBotfduprZBSvKB8Zs5WS9ojjFbMPYl&id=100069349023607&mibextid=Nif5oz

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#4

Molino 2 Wildfire, Santa Catalina Ranger District
Update: 5/1/23 – 4:55 PM
Catalina Highway is now open
~115 acres
Containment: 90%
There was no significant change in the footprint of the fire throughout the day.

https://twitter.com/CoronadoNF/status/1653186819775934464?t=Oc00LZz-tYVte9wSWhFbEg&s=19

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#5

https://twitter.com/CoronadoNF/status/1653507198633521159?t=cpj9p7MX_flbHEiLG4E6CA&s=19

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#6

The forest has shared the video in a media release noting that “Video evidence has been obtained showing the suspect and the start of the Molino 2 Wildfire. Video footage shows an approximately 50- to 60-year-old, white, male, wearing a light grey colored shirt with tan cargo pants approach the scene where the filmmakers were shooting at a homemade target. Upon arrival, they stepped back and allowed the suspect to take five shots using his personal shotgun. It appears in the video the suspect had it loaded with incendiary bullets [shotgun shells] causing sparks to fly and starting the Molino 2 Wildfire.”

The release adds that “Using incendiary bullets and starting a wildfire are violations of 36 CFR 261.5 (b,c) punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or $5,000. These violations are considered Class B Misdemeanors. In addition to the fine, some of the cost may be recovered through restitution.”
A bad (and likely illegal) shooting decision, on video, ignites Arizona fire - Wildfire Today

What a kook.

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#7

A man who was caught on video firing a shotgun that caused sparks to set off a wildfire that burned around 115 acres near Tucson has been identified and interviewed, U.S. Forest Service officials said.

The man, whose name was not released to the public, was located by investigators after the public “provided multiple timely and actionable tips,” officials said Thursday.

“The case has now been referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Starr Farrell, a spokeswoman for USFS.
Feds ID, interview suspect in Molino wildfire sparked by shotgun blasts (tucsonsentinel.com)

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