After fire crews worked through the night battling a 2,000-acre brush fire north of Sonoita that started Wednesday, authorities say the fire is 20 percent contained and more crews are on the way.
The Oak Tree fire is burning grass, oak, pinyon pine and juniper along Arizona 83, about 10 miles north of Sonoita. The fire has burned on both side of the highway.
Crews are working to keep the fire east of Arizona 83, north of Empire Ranch Road, south of Davidson Canyon and west of Cienega Creek.
The highway was closed for part of Wednesday between Sahuarita Road and the Arizona 82 and 83 junction.
As of Thursday morning, one lane of the highway has been opened between mile markers 41 and 47, Arizona Department of Public Safety officials said.
It was determined that the fire was human-caused, and it was reported at 1:15 p.m., said Michelle Fidler, a National Park Service spokeswoman. The fire has burned on Coronado National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, state and private lands.
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Ten more engines arrived Thursday morning, bringing the total number of engines up to 18, Fidler said.
Two more crews will be arriving mid-day, at which point about 140 people will be fighting the fire, she said.
Five air tankers and two helicopters are still assisting with the efforts.
The closest structure is about three miles to the northeast, she said.
Crews worked overnight to build fire lines along the perimeter and conduct burnout activities, Fidler said.
"Our concern today is the winds that are supposed to come in from the southwest this afternoon," she said. "The fire activity is looking pretty quiet now, but we're expecting it to pick up with the wind."
Crews were working Thursday to finish building fire lines around the blaze.
