Sedona: Pocket Fire Evacuation Orders Relax as Officials Warn of Longer Fight

Evacuation orders shift from 'GO' to 'SET' status

Residents in Oak Creek Canyon zones 14 and 15 will see their evacuation orders change from "GO" to "SET" status on Tuesday at 8 a.m., according to fire officials. The shift allows residents and business owners to return to the area with proof of residency. They must still be prepared to leave again if fire behavior or weather conditions worsen.

The area remains closed to the general public. State Route 89A between northern Sedona and Interstate 17 stays shut with no estimated reopening time, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Firefighters face steep terrain and incoming storms

The Pocket Fire has burned 257 acres and remains 0% contained. The blaze started around 5 p.m. Friday in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness area, roughly 7 miles north of Sedona. It is fueled by wood and brush, and the cause is still unknown.

Red Rock Ranger District Fire Management Officer Travis Mayberry said the rugged landscape limits how firefighters can attack the fire.

"This fire is likely to be on the landscape for a while. … We can't safely engage in a lot of this country," Mayberry said during a Monday night livestream. "These firefighters are carrying chainsaws (and) packs of up to 45-50 pounds. This not an area where we can safely put folks in there. And on top of that, if we had an injury, the ability to pull someone out of there and get them to immediate medical care is quite a challenge for us."

U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Dick Fleishman told KTAR News that steep hillsides prevent crews from reaching the top of the fire.

Fire Behavior Analyst Dan Pearson warned that pre-monsoonal storms arriving later this week could bring lightning and outflow winds gusting 40 to 50 miles per hour. Those winds could push the fire in new directions.

"I think over the next week with this current forecast and where the fire currently is, the fire will continue moving north and start moving west," Pearson said.

Hundreds of personnel battle the blaze

Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 took command of the fire on Sunday. Incident Commander John Truett said more than 600 personnel are working on the fire. Crews are operating out of two remote spike camps closer to the fire line to reduce driving times. Night operations began Monday to take advantage of cooler temperatures and higher humidity.

Firefighters are protecting values at risk at Slide Rock State Park and Seven Canyons Golf Club in Oak Creek Canyon. They are also working to prevent damage to the East Pocket Lookout Tower. Crews are using work done during the 2014 Slide Fire and are preparing along Forest Road 231 with ground crews and helicopter support.

Shelter and storage aid for evacuees

The American Red Cross Arizona opened an emergency shelter at Red Rock Jr. High School, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road. High Country Humane partnered with Coconino County to temporarily house small pets for families at the shelter.

U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container use to displaced residents. Two locations are participating:

• U-Haul Moving & Storage of Flagstaff: 1982 E. Huntington Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86004, (928) 779-5101
• U-Haul Moving & Storage of Verde Valley: 1650 E. Cherry St., Cottonwood, AZ 86326, (928) 634-5180

The offer applies to new rentals and is based on availability, according to a press release from U-Haul.

Public meetings scheduled

Fire officials expect to hold public meetings at:

• Sinagua Middle School on Thursday at 7 p.m.
• Red Rock Jr. High School on Saturday

Officials said those meetings are subject to change based on fire activity and personnel needs.

No injuries or structure damages have been reported, according to fire officials.