Arizona, 2021Wildfire in Arizona, May 23 to 28, 2021
May 23 to 28, 2021 · NWS TWC · 1 event in 1 county or zone
The human caused Sycamore Canyon Fire started May 23 in the Baboquivari Mountains of Pima County. The wildfire grew to 1858 acres by May 28 in hot and dry conditions.
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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 human caused Sycamore Canyon Fire started May 23 in the Baboquivari Mountains of Pima County. The wildfire grew to 1858 acres by May 28 in hot and dry conditions. No fire growth was experienced after this date but the fire was not officially contained until June 4. Fire suppression costs tallied over $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 May 23, 2:10 AM MST, 6 hours 5 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 23, 2:10 AM MST, 6 hours 5 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tucson AZ
210 AM MST Sun May 23 2021
.SYNOPSIS...A cool start to the week today with lighter winds, then
temperatures steadily rising through the work week. Winds will remain
light through the week and dry conditions are expected to continue
into the foreseeable future.
&&
.DISCUSSION...The deep upper level low that brought the strong gusty
winds Saturday remains north of the area which will help to maintain
cooler than average high temperatures today, about 6 degrees cooler
for May 23rd. Thankfully the winds will be much lighter as the low
gradually weakens and moves further from the region.
The western U.S. trough will remain through much of the week however
it will slowly weaken with time. As a result temperatures will begin
a gradual climb through the coming work week, peaking around Friday
with highs about 4 degrees warmer than average and pushing near 100
from Tucson west across the lower desert areas. Through this period
winds will be lighter than they have been recently and more typical
of late May. At this point in time it looks dry for the next 7-10
days.
&&
.AVIATION...Valid through 24/12Z.
SKC thru the forecast period. Sfc winds less than 10 kts this
morning, becoming southwest to northwest 10-15 kts with a few higher
gusts aft 23/19Z, then diminishing to 10 kts or less aft 24/03Z.
Aviation discussion not updated for TAF amendments.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...Slightly below normal temperatures will continue
through Monday with a very dry air mass in place. Despite the cooler
temperatures, afternoon min RHs in the valleys will drop into the
low single digits in many locations. However, winds will be lighter
and will follow typical diurnal trends.
For the rest of the week, temperatures will warm back up to near or
slightly above normal levels, with a slight increase in dewpoints
during the middle of the week and beyond. That said, min RHs will
still drop easily into the single digits with mostly poor overnight
recoveries. Winds will remain light overall, following typical
diurnal trends along with the normal afternoon gustiness resulting
from strong solar heating. No significant fire weather concerns
expected this week.
&&
.TWC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&
Public...Cerniglia
Aviation...Lader
Fire Weather....Lader
Visit us on Facebook...Twitter...YouTube...and at weather.gov/Tucson
Wildfire, Baboquivari Mountains
- When
- May 23, 8:15 AM MST to May 28, 12:00 PM MST
- Where
- Baboquivari Mountains forecast zone
- Reported by
- Other Federal Agency
- Coordinates
- 32.097, -111.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The human caused Sycamore Canyon Fire started May 23 in the Baboquivari Mountains of Pima County. The wildfire grew to 1858 acres by May 28 in hot and dry conditions. No fire growth was experienced after this date, but the fire was not officially contained until June 4. Fire suppression costs tallied over $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.
- Rip Current in Maryland, May 23, 20211 death · 1 event
- Rip Current in Texas, May 23, 20211 death · 1 event
- Rip Current in Texas, May 23, 20211 death · 1 event
- Tornadoes and Hail in Colorado, May 23, 2021EF1 · 17 events
- Tornadoes and Hail in South Dakota, May 23, 2021EF1 · 13 events
- Damaging Winds in South Dakota, May 23, 202174 kt wind · 19 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Nebraska, May 23, 2021$13,000 · 2.75 in hail · 12 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Colorado, May 23, 20211.75 in hail · 11 events
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Nebraska, May 23, 20213 in hail · 9 events
- Frost and Freeze in Colorado, May 23 to 24, 20216 events
- High Wind in Colorado, May 23, 202152 kt wind · 4 events
- Damaging Winds in South Dakota, May 23, 202161 kt wind · 4 events
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: 958532.