Tucson Region

Florida Fire is almost out

Monsoon rains have nearly extinguished the 23,183-acre Florida Fire in the Santa Rita Mountains, east of Green Valley. Fire managers say the lightning-sparked blaze is now 75 percent contained. Full containment is expected by today. Authorities allowed Madera Canyon residents to briefly visit their homes Wednesday and plan to lift the evacuation order today. The popular birding and hiking area will remain closed to the general public. Firefighters have shifted from suppression to rehabilitation of fuel breaks, and crews are being sent to other incidents in the Southwest. About half the burned area lies within the Mount Wrightson Wilderness Area and nearly all the rest is on non-wilderness land within the Coronado National Forest.