Please see the following announcement from the U.S. Forest Service regarding the Pocket Fire. For a video of last night's public meeting, go to https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D36aE8jQN/
Know your evacuation zone by going to www.sedonaaz.gov/ready.
Official Acreage: 23,451
Start Date: June 19, 2026
Location: 7 miles north of Sedona, Arizona
Cause: Undetermined
Personnel: 1,145
Fuels: Timber and Brush
Containment: 25%
Highlights: Hotshot crews working in Bear Sign Canyon are heavily engaged in direct firefight. A new incident management team is arriving today and will take command of the fire Sunday.
Operations: In the northwest part of the fire, crews are continuing to mop up the burnout operation along Forest Road (FR) 535A. Work continues both north and south of West Fork to keep fire within the canyon from spilling out onto the plateau. Within West Fork, crews work to stop the fire from backing down the canyon. Efforts around West Fork have been heavily supported by helicopters and tankers; much of it is too steep to put firefighters on the ground. Near Barney Ridge and Barney Spring, crews and dozers continue to work difficult ground to build defensive lines. Across the south side of the fire there are sections where primary lines are very close to complete. The hotshot crews in Bear Sign Canyon are making great progress on lines to stop fire backing down the canyon. Contingency lines are also being scouted and built. On Maroon Mountain, fire rolled off the summit onto ledges on the southward facing side, which are visible from Sedona and outlying communities. It is burning in spots completely inaccessible to firefighters. Secret Canyon is too steep to insert firefighters, so tankers dropped retardant in the canyon to slow the advance of the fire. This gives crews working in the Secret Mountain Wilderness time to build fireline. Hidden Cabin and Secret Cabin have been treated for protection. Crews prepped FR 538 down to Secret Mountain Trailhead as a firebreak for the flanking fire. Structure groups continue to work in areas around the fire. Defensible space has been built and sprinkler systems installed and tested in communities close to the fire. Today, Initial Attack groups will continue their mission to respond to new starts in the area. They have also been assisting Arizona Department of Transportation in removing hazard trees in Oak Creek Canyon. A Retardant Mobile Base (MRB) has been set up near I-17 and a site for a second MRB is being sought south of the fire. MRBs are important because they supply retardant for helicopter drops and their proximity to the fire allows faster turnaround times. They will help crews cut off the fire that is backing down West Fork and other locations which are difficult to access around the fire.
Evacuations and Closures: The Coconino County Pocket Fire information page, including an evacuation map, is at:
coconino.az.gov/pocketfire. The Coconino County Call Center for the Pocket Fire can be reached at 928-679-8525. For evacuation questions, call the Coconino County Sheriff’s office: 928-774-4523. Coconino National Forest has implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. A portion of the forest remains closed. For more details, visit:
http://fs.usda.gov/.../pocket-fire-closure-order-effect. Sections of state Route 89A and Woody Mountain Road (Forest Road 231) are closed. Residents of Oak Creek Canyon need to enter the canyon from the south. For exact road closure locations, visit:
az511.com. For information on the READY, SET, GO! evacuation system, visit:
ein.az.gov/ready-set-go. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire area. For more information, visit:
tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_9455. If you fly, we can’t!
Weather: The forecast today calls for highs in the 80s at higher elevations and upper 90s near Sedona. Sustained southwest winds will reach 12 mph with gusts to 25 mph. In the canyons, wind remains terrain driven. Skies will be clear and sunny with no precipitation expected over the next few days. Humidity will remain very low.
Safety: The area has experienced air quality from “Very Unhealthy” to “Good.” This can change from hour to hour, so the public should remain vigilant. For information, visit
outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/760194b8. Crews and heavy equipment remain very active in the area. Authorized motorists should drive cautiously around switchbacks and blind curves as fire traffic and large vehicles will have an increased presence on the road.
Phone Number: 928-260-0543 (7a.m. - 7p.m.)
