TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Five years ago today, one of the worst wildfires broke out in the Catalina Mountains.

A flash of lightning sparked the Bighorn Fire on June 5, 2020. It burned for seven weeks and charred 120,000 acres, destroying trees, shrubs, and all other vegetation in its path.

Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, the forest is coming back to life with help from the U.S. Forest Service.

Reflecting back on that day, Coronado National Forest Fire Chief Steven Miranda said he knew the situation could get out of hand quickly despite their best efforts.

“We knew initially that it had the potential to be a problem because of where it was located; anytime you have a fire low on the slope, it has nothing but uphill to run,” he said.

It was all hands on deck, with air tankers, he

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