Pocket Fire Update: Tuesday Morning #PocketFire

• UPDATE 6/23/2026 7:01 AM
OAK CREEK CANYON, Ariz. — Fire crews continue making steady progress on the Pocket Fire burning in Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona. According to the latest perimeter data uploaded to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and visible on the Watch Duty map, the fire is now estimated at 341.3 acres.

Evacuation Status Reduced for Residents
Beginning at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, evacuation levels for Oak Creek Canyon residents in Zones 14 and 15 were reduced from GO to SET status.
The change applies only to residents, and proof of residency is required to enter the area. Officials emphasize that State Route 89A and Oak Creek Canyon remain closed to the public and through traffic.
While fire activity has moderated enough to allow residents back into the area, officials caution that smoke and visible fire activity will continue for the foreseeable future. Residents should remain prepared to leave again if weather conditions or fire behavior worsen.

Firefighters Continue Direct Attack
Fire managers say the strategy remains full suppression through direct extinguishment, with firefighter and public safety remaining the top priority.
Crews are currently operating from two remote spike camps, allowing firefighters to spend more time on the fireline while reducing travel risks. Overnight operations have continued to take advantage of cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and reduced fire intensity.
Additional incoming resources are being assigned to areas where they are needed most, while structure protection teams continue building on mitigation work completed during the 2014 Slide Fire.
Ground crews and helicopters also continued preparation work along Forest Road 231 as a contingency should the fire spread westward. Meanwhile, initial attack resources remain available to respond to any new wildfire starts across the region.

Current Status

Fire Size: 341.3 acres
Containment: Not yet reported
Evacuations: Zones 14 and 15 reduced from GO to SET
Highway Closures: SR 89A remains closed through Oak Creek Canyon
Strategy: Full suppression with direct attack
Priority: Public and firefighter safety

Residents are encouraged to stay informed and remain prepared as crews continue working to fully contain the fire. Smoke may remain visible throughout Oak Creek Canyon and surrounding communities for several days.
• UPDATE 6/20/2026 10:47 AM

OAK CREEK CANYON, AZ — Firefighters continue battling the Pocket Fire, which has grown to approximately 500 acres burning about seven miles north of Sedona in the Oak Creek Canyon area.
Overnight, additional resources arrived to assist suppression efforts as fire activity remained active well into Friday night. Dry and windy conditions expected throughout the weekend are likely to challenge firefighting operations and could contribute to increased fire behavior.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for portions of Oak Creek Canyon, and State Route 89A remains closed between Fort Tuthill and the north end of Sedona. Additionally, Woody Mountain Road (Forest Road 231) is closed beyond Forest Road 536. Officials say a formal closure order encompassing the area surrounding the fire is expected to be issued soon.
At 6:00 a.m. Saturday, the Northern Arizona Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 has also been ordered and is expected to take over management of the incident shortly.
Firefighters are utilizing a full suppression strategy aimed at keeping the fire confined to the smallest possible footprint. Crews are aggressively attacking the fire's edge where conditions allow while also utilizing indirect tactics, including firing operations, when necessary to enhance firefighter safety.
Current incident objectives include keeping the fire:
• West of State Route 89A
• South of Forest Road 535
• South and east of Forest Road 231
Assigned resources now include:
• 7 Hotshot crews
• 1 bulldozer
• 13 fire engines
• 6 helicopters
• Air Attack aircraft
• Additional overhead personnel and support resources
Friday evening, crews used a bulldozer to construct containment line along the northeastern portion of the fire while aviation resources dropped retardant along the eastern flank.
Today, firefighters will focus on strengthening and extending those containment lines while continuing structure and infrastructure protection efforts. Crews are actively working to protect the East Pocket Lookout Tower, while additional personnel positioned near Slide Rock State Park and Seven Canyons Golf Club continue safeguarding values at risk in Oak Creek Canyon.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in effect over the fire area. Officials are reminding the public that flying drones near the fire is prohibited, as unauthorized drone activity can ground firefighting aircraft and create dangerous conditions for crews working the incident.
Flagscanner will continue to provide updates throughout the day as conditions change.

 
• UPDATE 9:52 PM Latest Fire size is listed at 500 acres.
• UPDATE 8:50 PM: Red Cross Opening Evacuation Shelter for Pocket Fire Evacuees
SEDONA, AZ — The American Red Cross has announced the opening of an evacuation shelter for residents and visitors displaced by the Pocket Fire, which is burning approximately seven miles north of Sedona near the Coconino and Yavapai County line.
The shelter will be located at:
Red Rock Junior High School
995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road
Sedona, AZ 86336
Red Cross volunteers are currently en route, and the shelter is expected to open at 10:00 p.m. Friday evening.
Anyone impacted by evacuation orders or in need of a safe place to stay is encouraged to utilize the shelter.
The Pocket Fire remains active in the Oak Creek Canyon area and has prompted evacuations, road closures, and a large-scale firefighting response.
Flagscanner will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

 

• UPDATE 7:25 PM: OAK CREEK CANYON, AZ — Evacuations have been ordered due to the Pocket Fire, a wildfire currently estimated at 100 acres burning approximately 7 miles north of Sedona in the Oak Creek Canyon area.
As a result of fire activity, State Route 89A is closed between Fort Tuthill and the north end of Sedona. Motorists are urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
Forest officials are asking all visitors in Oak Creek Canyon, as well as those recreating at End of the World (Edge of the World), to evacuate immediately. Travel on Woody Mountain Road (Forest Road 231) is not recommended at this time due to fire operations and changing conditions.
Fire crews continue to aggressively attack the blaze. Resources currently assigned include:
• Two Hotshot crews
• One bulldozer
• Five fire engines
• Additional command and support personnel
Additional firefighting resources are en route.
Firefighters are utilizing a full suppression strategy and are conducting direct attack operations wherever conditions safely allow in an effort to stop the fire's spread.
This remains a developing incident. Flagscanner will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
• UPDATE 7:16 PM: GO Evacuation Order Issued for Oak Creek Canyon
OAK CREEK CANYON, AZ — A GO evacuation order has now been issued for all visitors and residents in Oak Creek Canyon between Sedona and Forest Highlands due to the advancing Pocket Fire.
The evacuation area includes all dispersed camping areas around West Fork and nearby locations above the Mogollon Rim.
Officials are advising everyone within the evacuation zone to leave immediately.
GO means EVACUATE NOW. Residents and visitors should gather essential belongings and leave the area without delay. Do not wait for additional notifications if you are within the affected area.
The Pocket Fire is currently estimated at 100 acres and is burning in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness Area, approximately 15 miles north of Sedona and 15 miles west of Munds Park.
Flagscanner will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.
Pocket Fire
📍 Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness Area
🔥 100 Acres
⚠️ GO Evacuation Order in effect for Oak Creek Canyon between Sedona and Forest Highlands

• RED ROCK-SECRET MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AREA, AZ — Fire crews are responding to the Pocket Fire, a wildfire currently estimated at 100 acres burning in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness Area.
The fire is located approximately 15 miles north of Sedona and 15 miles west of Munds Park in rugged wilderness terrain.
According to radio traffic, evacuations are beginning along Forest Road 231 and in portions of Oak Creek Canyon as firefighters work to assess the fire's growth and potential threat to nearby areas.
At this time, no structures have been reported lost, and the cause of the fire has not been released.
Flagscanner is continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as additional information becomes available.
Location: Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness Area
Size: 100 Acres
Status: Active
Evacuations: FR 231 and portions of Oak Creek Canyon
This is a developing story.