Arizona, 2021Wildfire in Arizona, June 16 to 29, 2021
June 16 to 29, 2021 · NWS TWC · 1 event in 1 county or zone
The Horton Fire was the largest of four lightning caused fires that ignited on June 16 north of Hannagan Meadows in the White Mountains in Greenlee County. The four fires, driven by thunderstorm outflow wind gusts in excess of 40 mph on several days, merged into an 11,000 acre fire by June 26 and grew to 12,263 acres by June 29.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 1
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The Horton Fire was the largest of four lightning caused fires that ignited on June 16 north of Hannagan Meadows in the White Mountains in Greenlee County. The four fires, driven by thunderstorm outflow wind gusts in excess of 40 mph on several days, merged into an 11,000 acre fire by June 26 and grew to 12,263 acres by June 29. No fire growth was experienced after this date, but the fire was not officially contained until July 13. Fire suppression costs tallied $3.5 million.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Tucson, AZ wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 16, 2:50 AM MST, 4 hours 40 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 16, 2:50 AM MST, 4 hours 40 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
250 AM MST Wed Jun 16 2021
.SYNOPSIS...A strong ridge of high pressure will result in excessive
heat the rest of the week. This high pressure centered over the four
corners region will help more mid-level moisture to increase across
the area with the prospects of daily isolated mainly dry thunderstorms.
&&
.DISCUSSION...An excessive heat warning remains in effect of most of
SE AZ the rest of the week. Although still hot, the warning does not
include Cochise county and elevations above 5,000 feet. In addition
to the dangerous heat, many record high temperatures will continue
to be set the next few days. Refer to the climate section in this
product for more details on the projected record highs. Otherwise,
a few showers and thunderstorms managed to develop yesterday as
mid-level moisture continued to increase across the area. Still
expecting isolated or spotty showers and thunderstorms this week as
moisture remains rather limited despite the favorable flow pattern
in place.
&&
.AVIATION...Valid through 17/12Z.
SKC-SCT clouds generally above 15k ft MSL much of the period. Minor
reduction in visibility throughout the day due to wildfire smoke
and/or blowing dust. ISOLD TS/-SHRA this afternoon and evening
mainly across the White Mountains NE of KSAD. Outflow gusts up to 35
kts possible near any TS that develop. Otherwise, SFC wind becoming
ELY 10-15 kts with gusts to 25 kts this afternoon, with strongest
winds at terminals nearest the Int'l border. SFC wind generally less
than 10 kts other times. Aviation discussion not updated for TAF
amendments.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...Near record heat will continue each day this
week with humidities increasing slightly by the weekend. There is a
slight chance for afternoon and evening thunderstorms across the
White Mountains each day through Friday, with a bit more southward
expansion by Saturday as a bit of early monsoon moisture attempts to
move into the region. Sunday and Monday look dry for now, with
slight thunderstorm chances returning the middle of next week. Any
rainfall amounts should be on the lighter side due to the overall
dryness of the atmosphere, increasing the chances for dry lightning
strikes and gusty outflow winds in excess of 35 mph. 20-ft winds
will otherwise remain less than 15 mph, with typical afternoon
gustiness due to strong heating.
&&
.CLIMATE...The record and near record heat will continue the rest of
the week. Tucson International Airport's temperature yesterday
soared to 115 degrees which broke the 2nd oldest June record high
temperature set back in 1869.
Here is a list of record or near record high temperatures for the
next few days:
Today Jun 17 Jun 18
FCST RCD/YR FCST RCD/YR FCST RCD/YR
TUCSON INTL AIRPORT 113 109/1988 113 109/2015 112 113/1989
AJO 113 112/1916 116 113/1917 113 114/1936
KITT PEAK 97 94/1974 98 91/1985 95 90/2001
ORGAN PIPE CACTUS 112 110/1993 116 111/2015 112 114/1989
PICACHO PEAK 116 111/2000 116 111/2008 115 112/1989
SAFFORD AG STATION 113 105/2002 112 106/2015 111 107/2015
SIERRA VISTA FD 105 103/2017 105 103/1989 102 107/1989
TOMBSTONE 106 105/1985 105 105/1980 104 107/1989
WILLCOX 106 105/1948 105 105/1985 104 106/1989
&&
.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Excessive Heat Warning until 9 PM MST Saturday for AZZ501>506-509.
&&
Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/TucsonWildfire, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties
- When
- June 16, 7:30 AM MST to June 29, 9:00 AM MST
- Where
- White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties forecast zone
- Reported by
- Park/Forest Service
- Coordinates
- 33.074, -109.563 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The Horton Fire was the largest of four lightning caused that ignited on June 16 north of Hannagan Meadows in the White Mountains in Greenlee County. The four fires, driven by thunderstorm outflow wind gusts in excess of 40 mph at times, merged into an 11,000 acre fire by June 26 and grew to 12,263 acres by June 29. No fire growth was experienced after this date, but the fire was not officially contained until July 13. Fire suppression costs tallied $3.5 million.
- Wildfire
- A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Iowa, June 16 to 30, 2021$247,000 · 1.75 in hail · 9 events
- Flood and Damaging Winds in Florida, June 16, 2021$45,000 · 50 kt wind · 5 events
- Marine Thunderstorm Winds in Gulf of Mexico, June 16, 202152 kt wind · 14 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Iowa, June 16, 20211.5 in hail · 13 events
- Excessive Heat in California, June 16 to 20, 202111 events
- Hail in Minnesota, June 16, 20211 in hail · 5 events
- Hail and Lightning Strike in Minnesota, June 16, 2021$6,000 · 0.88 in hail · 3 events
- Marine Thunderstorm Wind and Waterspout in South Atlantic Coastal Waters, June 16, 20212 events
- Marine Thunderstorm Winds in South Atlantic Coastal Waters, June 16, 20212 events
- High Wind in Montana, June 16, 202153 kt wind · 1 event
- Damaging Wind in Florida, June 16, 2021$1,000 · 52 kt wind · 1 event
- Wildfire in Arizona, June 16 to 28, 20211 event
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 967429.