John Leos

Phoenix

Environment Reporter at The Arizona Republic

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Articles

Sabino Canyon for sale? A Senate bill could make it possible, conservationists say

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Austin Corona |John Leos

Over 14 million acres of public land across Arizona, including popular areas like Sabino Canyon and Mount Lemmon near Tucson, could be eligible for sale if a Republican-backed measure passes the U.S. Senate. As part of the sweeping budget reconciliation package working its way through Congress, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, led by Sen.
Federal judge denies 2 bids to halt Oak Flat land transfer for copper mine

3 weeks ago | azcentral.com | John Leos

A federal judge in Phoenix denied two motions that sought to halt a land swap for a huge copper mine at Oak Flat, a site east of Phoenix. A different judge blocked the government from issuing its final environmental impact statement for the exchange, but it expired after the Supreme Court declined to hear another suit in the case. Representatives for tribal communities and environmental advocates said the mine will destroy a site sacred to Indigenous peoples and permanently damage fragile habitat.
Ranch Fire in Santa Cruz County Burns 2,700 Acres, Now 47% Contained

3 weeks ago | azcentral.com | John Leos

The Ranch Fire, a 2,751-acre wildfire burning in Santa Cruz County, is 47% contained as of Friday morning, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Sparked by a lightning strike to a tree on Wednesday morning, the fire is burning about 19 miles southeast of Patagonia in the San Rafael Valley. Fueled by dense grasses and brush, strong winds have driven the flames from state land into the Coronado National Forest.
Ranch Fire burns over 2.7K acres in southern Arizona with no containment

3 weeks ago | azcentral.com | John Leos

The Ranch Fire, a 2,751-acre wildfire ignited by lightning, continued to burn in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. Around 135 personnel were battling the blaze, which was currently uncontained. Evacuation orders have been lifted, but residents remained in "ready" status. Fire crews continued efforts to contain the Ranch Fire, a 2,751-acre wildfire burning in the San Rafael Valley in Santa Cruz County.
Ranch Fire burns over 2.7K acres in southern Arizona with no containment

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | John Leos

Fire crews continued efforts to contain the Ranch Fire, a 2,751-acre wildfire burning in the San Rafael Valley in Santa Cruz County. Located about 19 miles southeast of Patagonia in southern Arizona, the fire was ignited by a lightning strike June 4 and spread quickly towards the south and southeast, fueled by strong winds and heavy grasses, brush and oak, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
889-acre wildfire blazes near San Rafael Valley in southern Arizona

3 weeks ago | azcentral.com | John Leos

The Ranch Fire, burning 19 miles southeast of Patagonia, Arizona, has consumed 889 acres and was uncontained, as of June 4, 2025. Several properties north of the fire were in the "set" phase of evacuation preparedness. Air and ground crews were battling the blaze, with additional resources requested. State and federal fire crews responded to a new wildfire in southern Arizona near the San Rafael State Natural Area state park in Santa Cruz County.
Coconino National Forest to implement Stage 1 fire restrictions

1 month ago | yahoo.com | John Leos

The Coconino National Forest will implement Stage 1 fire restrictions beginning May 30, in an effort to prevent human-caused wildfires during dangerous fire weather conditions. Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit campfires and stove fires outside of established recreation sites. Smoking is also prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or within an official developed recreation site.
Greer Fire fully contained after burning over 200K acres in eastern Arizona

1 month ago | yahoo.com | John Leos

Firefighters have fully contained the Greer Fire after two weeks of fighting the blaze that burned more than 20,000 acres in eastern Arizona. Officials at the Arizona Department of Fire and Forestry Management on the evening of May 26 announced that the wildfire was 100% contained and incident command would be shifted to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The wildfire started May 13 in Greer, an unincorporated community in Apache County, and rapidly spread due to windy conditions.
Evacuation orders lifted as Cody Fire in Pinal County reaches 90% containment

1 month ago | yahoo.com | John Leos

Evacuation orders for residents of Oracle have been lifted as the Cody Fire reached 90% containment, according to federal tracker InciWeb. The wildfire has burned more than 1,200 acres in Pinal County since beginning on May 21. Fire officials announced updated evacuation orders effective the evening of May 26, allowing residents to return to their homes.
What to know about the Corral Fire near Flagstaff

1 month ago | yahoo.com | John Leos

Firefighters contained the Corral Fire, which is located approximately 24 miles southeast of Flagstaff near Mormon Lake, at about 200 acres on the evening of May 26, according to Coconino National Forest officials. First reported around 6:30 a.m. on May 26th, firefighting crews began a full scale attack on the blaze to quickly and safely contain the fire as it burned in steep and challenging terrain. The resources on the scene included one hotshot crew, four engines and a water tender.

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