A fire burning southwest of Kitt Peak has closed the Kitt Peak National Observatory.
The San Juan Fire is believed to have started Tuesday in a remote, mountainous area of the Tohono O’odham Reservation.
A press release from the Tohono O’odham Nation said the fire had grown to 400 acres.
The fire information page of the Southwest Coordination Center said the San Juan Spring Fire “is about 500 acres at this time.” A helicopter and firefighting crews had been ordered to the fire, the Web site said.
San Juan Spring is about five miles from Kitt Peak.
The release from the nation said “no structures are currently in danger and Kitt Peak is closed to all non-essential personnel.”
John Dunlop, facilities manager for Kitt Peak, referred all questions to the Tohono O’odham Nation.
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Nation spokesman Pete Delgado did not immediately return a phone call for information.
“Individuals in the area are asked to stay inside due to air quality concerns from the smoke,” the press release from the nation said.
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