Sedona: Pocket Fire Doubles to 6,000 Acres as Residents Pack Belongings and Businesses Feel the Hit

A fire that will not stop

The Pocket Fire north of Sedona burned more than 6,016 acres by Sunday evening, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The blaze had covered only 2,349 acres the night before. That is an increase of more than 3,600 acres in roughly 24 hours.

Containment stands at 0 percent.

The fire started around 5 p.m. on June 19 in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness area of the Coconino National Forest, about 7 miles north of Sedona. The cause remains unknown. No injuries or structure damage has been reported, according to forest officials.

Evacuation orders shift but danger remains

Officials changed evacuation orders for residents in Oak Creek Canyon, zones 14 and 15, from "GO" to "SET" status on Sunday. A "GO" order means leave now. A "SET" order means stay alert and prepare to leave at a moment's notice.

Residents in Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, and Pine Del 99 were also placed under "SET" status on Sunday, according to KTAR and Arizona's Family.

"Residents need to stay alert and be aware of danger," officials said in a Sunday update.

Proof of residency is required to enter the affected area. Residents and business owners must remain ready to evacuate if fire behavior or weather conditions worsen.

Nearly 1,000 firefighters face steep terrain

A total of 913 personnel were assigned to the fire as of Sunday, the Forest Service reported. Officials sent 15 additional engines to the area to support containment efforts.

Firefighters are working to establish lines along Forest Road 535, which runs south of Kachina Village. The blaze has been pushing northeast along Woody Mountain Road, also known as Forest Road 231.

"It's probably one of the most challenging fires that almost every fire manager on this fire said this one is complex, one of the most complex," said Dick Fleishman, a member of the incident command team, according to Arizona's Family.

Officials say the rugged terrain is limiting where crews can safely attack the fire directly. Firefighters have positioned themselves to protect infrastructure and natural resources in Oak Creek Canyon and the East Pocket Lookout Tower.

Residents pack up, remembering past losses

Residents of Kachina Village spent Sunday loading valuables into vehicles in preparation for a possible evacuation.

Lexi Wahl focused on sentimental items. She packed baby clothes, her grandfather's camera, and boxes of family photos into a friend's pickup truck.

"Monetary value, in that sense, doesn't mean too much to me, but you leave one thing there and you'll never see it again," Wahl said, according to Arizona's Family.

Another resident, Shira Itogawa, described a methodical packing strategy.

"Get the essentials, if you have time get a little bit more than the essentials, if you have time get a little bit more than that," Itogawa said.

Itogawa lost her home in the 2003 Cedar Fire in San Diego. She said the current smoke and orange skies brought back painful memories.

"I don't expect us to actually burn, but I'd rather have stuff out and not burn than have all of it lost again," she said.

Road closure hits Sedona businesses

State Route 89A has been closed between Sedona and Flagstaff in both directions since June 19. The highway reopened to locals with proof of residency on Tuesday, but the closure continues to disrupt travel through the corridor.

Businesses along the route are feeling the impact. Viola's Flower Garden, located on 89A, relies heavily on tourists traveling through the area. Manager Caitlin Ewart told Arizona's Family that business has dropped since the fire began.

"Business has been impacted since the fire started," Ewart said.

Ewart also reported that ash from the fire has rained down in Sedona. She worries the smoke is harming the store's plants.

"The smoke does shade out some of the plants, so they're not getting as much sunshine. It's just the air quality is not good for the plants as well," she said.

Weather working against crews

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the area from Friday through Sunday due to high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds.

"30 mile per hour sustained gusts up towards 50 miles an hour, which will really accelerate how this fire can potentially move," Fleishman said, according to Arizona's Family.

Officials hope conditions improve next week.

"The reason why we're not calling containment right now is because of this wind. If we can get through these three days, you'll probably start seeing some containment on this fire," Fleishman said.

What residents should know

• Call 928-679-8525 for shelter and evacuation information from Coconino County officials.
• Call 800-253-9405 for information on the APS Public Safety Power Shutoff.
• The American Red Cross emergency shelter at Sedona Red Rock Jr.-Sr. High School closed on Tuesday.
• Multiple Coconino National Forest roads and trails remain closed.
• A temporary flight restriction is in effect around the fire. Residents are asked not to fly drones, as they interfere with firefighting operations.
• A public meeting originally scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at Sedona Red Rock Jr.-Sr. High School was moved online. It will be livestreamed on the Coconino National Forest Facebook page.

Coconino County officials are asking residents to sign up for the county's emergency notification system for the latest updates on evacuation orders.

Coconino County officials are asking residents to sign up for the county's emergency notification system for the latest updates on evacuation orders.