Southern Arizona Science Project Sparks Wildfire

A science project at a southern Arizona school sparked a 15-acre wildfire and led to the school’s evacuation.

The project involved model rockets being launched behind Elgin School. One of the rockets landed in the pasture behind the school.

Chief Joseph DeWolf of the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District says the blaze consumed about 8 acres before the first crews arrived.

DeWolf told the Nogales International that a wind shift helped them cut off the flames.

Students were briefly evacuated to the school’s athletic fields.

Battalion Chief Kevin Venos says the fire district will gladly offer to put an engine on standby during the next launch.