Fire near Nogales 70 percent contained

May 24, 2013

Firefighters are getting the upper hand on a human-caused wildfire that has been burning in the Coronado National Forest, east of Nogales. 

Spokeswoman Michelle Fiddler says the Soldier Basin Fire is now 70 percent contained after charring nearly 11,000 acres of grass and brush. But, Fiddler says a lot of the acreage was purposely ignited to control the spread of the flames.

"There plan is to secure black lines along the north and east perimeter and continue patrolling and mop up...hotspots near the perimeter," Fiddler said.

Fiddler says some of the inner parts of the fire may burn for a while until the fuels burn themselves out or the area gets some rain.