Growing Concerns as Pocket Fire Nears Oak Creek Canyon
Forest Houses Resort finds itself in a precarious position as the Pocket Fire edges closer to Oak Creek Canyon, posing a threat to both businesses and homes. The unique riparian habitat of the area faces potential danger, igniting concerns among locals and officials.
According to Dick Fleishman, spokesperson for the firefighting team, the situation showed promising signs of improvement by Saturday evening. “I was actually down in Sedona and [have] been looking at the fire all day, there’s very little smoke on it today,” he noted. As of 5:30 p.m., the fire encompassed approximately 500 acres without any containment, as detailed in this report.
The primary challenge lies on the fire’s eastern flank, where steep slopes prevent direct intervention by firefighting personnel. Aerial efforts, including helicopters and other aircraft, have been deployed to combat the flames on this side, Fleishman added.
State Route 89A remains closed between Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff and Sedona’s northern end, while the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has facilitated temporary access for some residents and visitors to retrieve essential items, as mentioned in a social media update.
The situation prompted Coconino County officials to issue a “Go” order for all individuals between Sedona and Forest Highlands on Friday evening.
Voices from the Evacuation Zone
Jenny Kittredge, manager of the Forest Houses Resort, expressed her apprehension while remaining within the evacuation zone. “We are concerned,” Kittredge stated, emphasizing the proximity of the fire to their location, just a few miles from the A.B. Young Trail. The resort has evacuated guests and canceled reservations, with Kittredge prepared to leave if necessary.
She holds hope for the efforts of the firefighting crews: “From what we’re hearing, there’s so many crews on this fire, and they’re working for a total direct suppression effort – I really hope that they are able to keep it out of the canyon.”
Highlighting the historical significance of Forest Houses, Kittredge remarked, “This property, Forest Houses, has been in my family for almost 100 years now… It’s just a really special place for so many across the state and across the West to come and visit this area, so it holds a lot of importance for so many people.”
Environmental and Historical Concerns
Fleishman echoed the concern for Oak Creek Canyon’s ecological and historical value, noting its status as a distinct waterway in Arizona. “Any kind of riparian [habitat], which is vegetation associated with streams, is very unique,” he said, emphasizing the area’s ecological and scenic importance.
The complexity of the situation has necessitated the involvement of the Southwest Area Incident Management Team II, one of the nation’s 57 specialized teams. “As the complexity ramps up, you actually can bring in more personnel and highly qualified teams,” Fleishman explained.
The potential spread of the fire into the canyon underpins the decision to upgrade the response team. Fleishman elaborated on the challenges posed by the terrain: “It gets very difficult to contain on those steep slopes.” Preparations are underway to protect values at risk, including properties in Oak Creek Canyon and the Seven Canyons Resort area.
Fleishman further warned of the long-term consequences, such as post-fire flooding, that could arise if the fire descends into the canyon.
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