Overview
- Fire managers reported the wildfire north of Sedona has burned more than 23,000 acres and reached roughly 25% containment as crews enter the July Fourth holiday weekend.
- Steep, inaccessible terrain on the fire’s southern flank prevents safe direct ground attack so crews are using airtankers, helicopters and controlled burnouts to hold lines from the air.
- Incident commanders said the operation will be long running and that reaching 100% containment could take months unless significant monsoon rains arrive to extinguish remaining hot spots.
- Heavy smoke from the fire has degraded air quality in Flagstaff, prompted flight restrictions at Flagstaff Airport and led the city to replace fireworks with a drone show while officials urge residents not to use fireworks.
- Hundreds of firefighting personnel and equipment are assigned to the complex incident and local leaders warn the blaze is already affecting tourism and small businesses that rely on the holiday weekend for major revenue.