Overview
- The Pocket Fire, which grew past 15,000 acres on June 30, remains at 0 percent containment as crews battle steep canyon ground and gusty winds.
- Evacuation warnings cover Oak Creek Canyon, Kachina Village, Forest Highlands and Pine Del and officials say some communities are one step from mandatory evacuation.
- A portion of State Route 89A is closed to nonresidents and the U.S. Forest Service has shut parts of the Coconino National Forest, with numerous trails and campgrounds also closed.
- Fire managers are using indirect tactics such as burnouts, airtankers, helicopters and heavy equipment because steep terrain makes direct attack unsafe and infrared overflights are verifying containment lines.
- The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings across northern and southeastern Arizona and Flagstaff is under Stage 2 restrictions, heightening holiday travel disruption and straining regional firefighting resources already at elevated preparedness levels.