Biosphere Fire outside Tucson fully contained at 13 acres

PHOENIX — The Biosphere Fire that was burning outside of Tucson Sunday morning has been fully contained.

The wildfire burned approximately 13 acres, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

Officials said around 8:30 a.m. a rancher saw smoke and alerted employees at Biosphere 2, who called 911.

DFFM crews along with Golder Ranch Fire District and Northwest Fire were able to box it in within a few hours.

The fire started on a hillside and was burning through grass and brush before it hit a ridgetop and started backing down the hill toward Biosphere 2, according to a press release from DFFM.

There were no evacuations to the facility or nearby communities, and no structures were damaged or destroyed.

All edges of the fire were successfully secured and crews mopped up any remaining hotspots within the interior of the fire’s perimeter.

A DFFM hand crew and local cooperator engines remained at the fire until it reached 100% containment.

An engine will patrol the area for any interior smoke or flare-ups.

The cause of the fire is undetermined.