The blaze ignited this afternoon in the Coconino National Forest, closing a major highway
A wildfire burning north of Sedona prompted mandatory evacuations and a lengthy highway closure this evening as firefighting crews scrambled to respond before sunset. The blaze, named the Pocket Fire, ignited around 5 p.m. near East Pocket, a scenic overlook in the Coconino National Forest commonly known as the Edge of the World, approximately seven miles north of Sedona.
By this evening Pocket fire had burned roughly 100 acres with no containment reported. The cause remains under investigation.
Who needs to evacuate
Coconino County issued a mandatory evacuation order for all visitors and residents in Oak Creek Canyon between Sedona and Forest Highlands. The order covers dispersed camping areas around West Fork and surrounding areas above the Rim. Anyone in those areas was directed to leave immediately.
Visitors at the Edge of the World area were also asked to evacuate.
Road closures affecting travel
State Route 89A is closed in both directions for approximately 23 miles between Sedona and Interstate 17, covering the stretch between Fort Tuthill and the north end of Sedona roughly between mileposts 374 and 397. The closure affects one of the primary routes connecting Sedona to Flagstaff and the surrounding region and is expected to remain in place unti lthe pocket fire conditions allow for safe travel.
Motorists in the area were advised to seek alternate routes and check with the Arizona Department of Transportation for updates before attempting to travel through the corridor.
Resources on the ground and in the air
The Coconino National Forest dispatched an initial response that included two hotshot crews, one bulldozer, and five fire engines. Air resources were deployed over the fire before sunset Today in an effort to slow the blaze during the critical early hours when containment efforts are most effective.
The Sedona Fire Department confirmed it was coordinating with all agency partners on the response. Forest Service officials said additional resources could be assigned as the situation develops overnight.
Smoke from the pocket fire was visible from as far away as Cottonwood, roughly 19 miles to the southwest, and was clearly visible against the red rock landscape that defines the Sedona area. Pocket fire’s visibility from a distance underscored the scale of the smoke output even in the early hours of the blaze.
What those in affected areas should do
Anyone in the evacuation zone should leave immediately and not wait to gather belongings beyond essential items. Emergency management officials recommend residents in wildfire-prone areas maintain a go-kit that includes water, ready-to-eat food, prescription medications, important documents, and a change of clothing stored in a waterproof container.
Those who need assistance after being displaced by pocket fire can contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-842-7349.
No injuries had been reported as of this evening, and no structures were confirmed as damaged or destroyed. The investigation into pocket fire’s origin is ongoing, and conditions overnight will determine the pace of containment efforts when crews resume full operations at first light Saturday.