State Route 89A Reopens as Crews Manage Pocket Fire Aftermath
Travelers can once again traverse State Route 89A between Sedona and Interstate 17, following its reopening on Monday. This development marks a significant step in the aftermath of the Pocket Fire, which has been burning in the Coconino National Forest.
The Arizona Department of Transportation had previously shut down this section of the highway, located approximately seven miles north of Sedona in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, to ensure public safety. The closure lasted for over three weeks as authorities battled the wildfire.
As of now, the Pocket Fire is 76% contained, having scorched nearly 28,000 acres. The effort to combat this blaze has involved more than 800 personnel, who remain active in the area.
In related developments, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded the status of several communities from “SET” to “READY.” This includes areas such as Oak Creek Canyon and the Seven Canyons and Enchantment locales.
Firefighting crews concentrated over the weekend on strengthening containment lines, while additional resources were allocated for repair and cleanup operations. Work is expected to continue in Oak Creek Canyon, which may necessitate short-term road closures in the coming days.
Additionally, the Arizona Department of Transportation is set to resume a previously planned guardrail improvement project. Motorists should anticipate lane restrictions on State Route 89A from Mondays through Thursdays, specifically between Pine Flat Campground and the Oak Creek Vista Scenic Overlook. Traffic will be managed through a flagging operation, allowing one direction at a time, while both lanes will remain open from Friday through Sunday.
Meanwhile, Navajo Nation weavers, despite the severe drought, continue to bring their flocks of a rare and sacred breed of sheep to summer camps in the Carrizo Mountains, near the Four Corners.
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