Firefighters Brace for More Challenges as Pocket Fire Threatens Flagstaff Communities
As the Pocket Fire continues its relentless advance, residents of Flagstaff are urged to remain vigilant. High winds and low humidity are exacerbating the situation, leading to a frantic battle against nature’s fury.
The blaze nearly doubled in size on Saturday, inching closer to Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, and Pine Del, all of which are now on “Set” status. As of Sunday morning, containment remains elusive at 0%.
“You can see a big, long finger [of the fire] going to the north, that was about a two-to-three mile run yesterday, wind driven, and we expect those similar winds today,” said Dick Fleishman, an information officer with the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2. Crews are actively working on firing operations to remove fuels ahead of the fire line, though similar wind conditions are expected to challenge these efforts further.
On a more positive note, as the fire advances north, it encounters flatter landscapes with better road access, providing firefighters some tactical advantages.
The “Set” status for affected communities is a proactive measure, given the anticipated wind directions. “If it goes much further … we’ll recommend to the county sheriff’s perhaps a different action, but at this point we can keep it where it’s at,” Fleishman noted, emphasizing that it’s crucial for residents to stay informed through official notices.
Residents are advised to prepare go bags and clear roofs and gutters of pine needles to mitigate the risk of ember attacks, which pose a greater threat than direct flames. “Most fires or homes burn down in fires from ember wash,” Fleishman explained.
Firefighters are currently engaged in structure protection efforts around these areas, establishing fire lines and removing potential fuel sources.
The Pocket Fire is being tackled on three fronts: Bear Sign Canyon, the flats north of West Fork, and the Seven Canyons area of Oak Creek Canyon. “Oak Creek is not out of the woods yet,” according to Fleishman, who stressed that the fire’s spread is predominantly southwest to northeast due to winds.
Challenging topography and Red Flag conditions are complicating containment efforts. Fleishman acknowledged, “It’s just the topography on this thing has been so challenging, and now you look at – we’ve got three potential fronts that we have to spread our resources across. It’s a challenge, that’s for sure.”
A public meeting regarding the fire is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at the Sedona Red Rock Middle and High School, with a livestream available on the Coconino National Forest’s Facebook page.
The cause of the Pocket Fire remains unknown, as firefighters have yet to access the fire’s origin point.
Additional Wildfire Concerns Near Flagstaff
Firefighters are also grappling with other blazes in the region. The Spring Fire, situated near Pumpkin Center and the Kendrick Mountain Wilderness, reached 112 acres by Sunday morning. Although progress was halted on Saturday, the fire is still uncontained.
Initially placed under “Go” status, Pumpkin Center and the Kendrick Mountain Wilderness have now been downgraded to “Set.” The fire is human-caused, but further investigation is ongoing, according to the state Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Butte Fire Update
The Butte Fire, located near Red Butte, has slowed significantly. Currently at 255 acres and 10% contained, the fire was ignited by lightning. It has entered the area previously scorched by the 2014 McRae Fire, allowing firefighters to establish dozer lines.
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