POCKET FIRE UPDATE: Fire Grows to More Than 5,500 Acres; Kachina Village and Forest Highlands Placed in SET Status
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Pocket Fire continued its rapid growth Saturday under extreme Red Flag weather conditions, prompting new evacuation alerts for communities south of Flagstaff as the wildfire expanded to 5,547 acres.
According to Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. update from fire officials, the fire made an estimated 3,200-acre run to the north on Saturday, forcing the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office to place Kachina Village and Forest Highlands into SET evacuation status. Residents in those communities should remain prepared to leave at a moment’s notice if conditions worsen.
The Pocket Fire, burning approximately seven miles north of Sedona, remains 0% contained and is being fought by 871 personnel. Firefighters are facing another day of dangerous fire weather, with strong southwest winds, extremely low humidity, and critically dry fuels expected to continue through Sunday.
Fire Activity
Fire officials said Saturday’s explosive growth began when the fire backed into Bear Sign Canyon before aligning with strong winds and racing north through multiple drainages. Spot fires ignited north of Woody Mountain Road (Forest Road 231), where firefighters initially responded quickly. Despite aggressive suppression efforts, the spot fires merged, resulting in the significant northward run that prompted the new evacuation status.
Structure protection teams immediately began creating defensible space around threatened neighborhoods, and that work will continue throughout Sunday. An additional 15 engines, along with numerous other firefighting resources, are arriving to strengthen protection efforts around homes and critical infrastructure.
Fire crews will continue preparing contingency fire lines while initial attack resources remain strategically positioned to quickly suppress any new fire starts.
Evacuations and Closures
Residents of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands are now in SET status, joining other evacuation zones surrounding the fire.
Several closures remain in effect, including portions of State Route 89A, Woody Mountain Road (Forest Road 231), and sections of the Coconino National Forest. Officials remind the public that a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place over the fire area and will expand Sunday.
Weather Remains Critical
Sunday is expected to bring another day of Red Flag Warning conditions, with sustained southwest winds reaching 35 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. Humidity is forecast to remain in the single digits after poor overnight recovery, and no measurable rainfall is expected.
Fire managers warn that these conditions could allow the fire to continue making significant runs and produce new spot fires well ahead of the main fire.
Smoke and Public Safety
Air quality across the region continues to fluctuate between Good and Unhealthy, depending on wind direction and fire activity. Residents are encouraged to monitor local air quality conditions and limit outdoor activity when smoke levels increase.
Motorists traveling in authorized areas near the fire should expect heavy fire equipment along SR 89A and use extreme caution around blind curves and switchbacks.
Public Meeting Monday
A public meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, June 29, at Sedona Red Rock Middle School and High School, where Incident Management Team members and local officials will provide the latest information and answer questions. The meeting will also be streamed live on the U.S. Forest Service – Coconino National Forest Facebook page.
Flagscanner will continue providing updates as conditions change throughout the day.
