Intensive Efforts Underway to Combat Pocket Fire Near Sedona
Authorities are deploying significant resources to address a rapidly spreading wildfire that erupted Friday, compelling evacuations in Oak Creek Canyon. The Pocket Fire, situated approximately seven miles north of Sedona, expanded to 500 acres by Saturday morning, prompting an urgent response.
In charge of the situation is the Northern Arizona Type 3 Incident Management Team, supported by Coconino National Forest officials. The team has mobilized seven hotshot crews, a dozer, 13 engines, and six helicopters alongside fixed-wing aircraft. Additional personnel were anticipated to join throughout Saturday to reinforce the ongoing efforts.
Oak Creek Canyon residents and visitors received evacuation orders, and State Route 89A remains closed from Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff to Sedona’s north end. Woody Mountain Road is also inaccessible beyond Forest Road 536. The Coconino County authorities issued a “Go” directive Friday night for all individuals between Sedona and Forest Highlands.
The American Red Cross has established a shelter at Red Rock High School, located at 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road in Sedona. Meanwhile, Coconino County Health and Human Services has arranged for High Country Humane to accommodate small pets temporarily while their owners are sheltered.
On Saturday, crews executed a “direct extinguishment strategy” to limit the fire’s spread. This involved constructing containment lines and employing firing operations to tackle the blaze’s periphery. Firefighters concentrated on containing the wildfire west of SR-89A, south of Forest Road 535, and east of FR 231. Aircraft were deployed to drop fire retardant on the fire’s eastern flank, alongside dozer-built fire lines on the northeast perimeter.
Personnel are stationed at Slide Rock State Park and Seven Canyons Golf Club, prioritizing the protection of homes, businesses, and properties in Oak Creek Canyon. Despite intensive efforts, the fire exhibited active behavior late into Friday night, with dry and windy conditions forecasted for Saturday.
Forest officials have issued a formal closure order for several areas in proximity to the Pocket Fire, including all campgrounds and day-use sites in Oak Creek Canyon and trailheads such as Thunder Mountain, Casner, and Loy Canyon.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, as stated by the officials.
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