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Huachuca Mountains Study Area

The Huachuca Mountains are located approximately 70 miles south-southeast of Tucson, AZ and directly west of the city of Sierra Vista, AZ. These mountains range in elevation from 3,934 feet at the base to 9,455 feet at the top of Miller Peak. Vegetation in the Huachucas varies from Chihuahua Whitethorn scrub and semi-desert mixed grass/mixed scrub, at the lower elevations, to Encinal mixed oak, and then transitions into Ponderosa Pine at the highest elevations. The Huachuca Mountain area is owned principally by three entities: the USDA Forest Service (41%), private land (32%), and the U.S. Army (20%). Sierra Vista is the main population center (37,775 inhbitants as of 2000 Census), but there are a number of smaller communities, including Fort Huachuca, in the region as well.

The Huachuca Mountains provide this study with a location that is experiencing rapid population growth in a formerly rural area. Sierra Vista's expansion is pushing population right up along the eastern base of the mountains. Compared with Tucson, where most of the growth is occurring in areas away from the mountains, Sierra Vista will provide an opportunity to study how growth along the urban-wildland interface affects wildfires.

Climate

Average Precipitation: 20" on peaks; 15" at base
Average High/Low Winter Temperatures (°F): 35/20 on peaks; 60/35 at base
Average High/Low Summer Temperatures (°F): 75/50 on peaks; 95/65 at base

Fire History

Map of fire boundaries and stats for major fires can be found on the Fire History page.

Land Use Trends