Pocket Fire Smoke Influences Fire Behavior and Air Quality Concerns in Flagstaff
In recent days, Flagstaff has been shrouded in smoke from the Pocket Fire, which has drifted north over the fire itself. While this has led to deteriorating air quality, it has also served an unexpected benefit in moderating the fire’s behavior.
According to fire spokesperson Dick Fleishman, the smoke acts like a cloud cover, reducing temperatures by about five degrees and preventing direct sunlight from heating up the fuels. “It’s like having cloud cover over it. It’s a good 5 degrees cooler. There’s no direct sunlight on the fuels, heating it up. So, it actually changes our fire behavior that that smoke that goes over the top of our fire,” he explained.
Following a weekend marked by high winds, firefighting crews have found some relief in the cooler conditions as they conduct controlled burns west of the primary blaze. The aim is to prevent the fire from advancing toward Flagstaff and encroaching into the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon.
Fleishman noted that these controlled burns are part of a strategy to expand the fire lines established last week. As of Tuesday morning, the fire had grown significantly, reaching 15,300 acres.
During a virtual public meeting on Monday night, discussions were held regarding the reopening of Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon. Although fire lines southwest of the canyon have held for over a week, officials caution that risks remain, and the timeline for reopening the road remains uncertain.
Coconino County Sheriff Bret Axlund expressed uncertainty about whether the road would be accessible before the Fourth of July weekend.
Additionally, officials have warned of increased ozone levels in Flagstaff, which pose a health risk, particularly for vulnerable populations, as a result of the smoke from the Pocket Fire.
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