A wildfire identified as the Pocket Fire sent a thick column of smoke rising above the red-rock cliffs north of Sedona on Friday, prompting evacuations in parts of Oak Creek Canyon and the closure of a major Arizona highway. The blaze had consumed roughly 500 acres by the most recent reports, and officials had not released information on containment at the time of the latest update.
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Thick column of smoke from the Pocket Fire rises above red-rock cliffs north of Sedona as crews respond to the blaze that forced evacuations in Oak Creek Canyon.
Visitors to and residents of Sedona watched smoke drift over the famous red-rock formations as the fire unfolded. Photographs and video from the scene showed a dense, vertical plume extending high above the canyon rim as firefighting crews worked on the ground. The visual extent of the smoke drew attention across the area, with clear views of the column from multiple vantage points around the city and the canyon.
Evacuations were ordered for parts of Oak Creek Canyon as the fire moved through vegetation and toward populated corridors. Officials moved to clear areas in the canyon and adjacent stretches of roadway; the blaze also prompted the closure of a major highway that serves as an artery for residents, visitors and commerce. The highway closure was implemented while crews addressed the fire and conditions on and near the pavement remained unsafe for travel.
By Friday evening, the Pocket Fire was estimated to have burned about 500 acres. That acreage figure was the latest publicly available size estimate; no containment percentage or timeline had been provided in the initial updates. Fire crews were on scene and responding to the blaze, positioning resources in and around the canyon as they worked to check the spread and protect structures and infrastructure.
The combination of heavy smoke and active firefighting operations led to rapidly changing conditions on the ground. Air quality in portions of Sedona and the canyon was visibly affected by the smoke, and the presence of the column over the red rocks served as an immediate visual sign of the fire’s intensity. The closure of a major highway in the area interrupted typical travel patterns for visitors and residents alike while authorities managed access to the impacted corridor.
Officials continued to monitor the incident and coordinate response activities as daylight gave way to evening. Crews responding to the Pocket Fire were focused on slowing fire growth, securing the flames’ perimeter where possible, and enforcing evacuation and road closure orders for the safety of residents and travelers. The evacuation notices in the canyon area were enacted as a precaution and to allow emergency personnel to carry out suppression and protection operations without impediment.
The event was first reported late Friday and was followed by a series of updates through the evening hours. The initial report was published on June 19, 2026, at 8:29 p.m. MST and subsequent updates were posted as the situation developed. As of the latest update, containment status had not been released and assessments of acreage and impacts remained subject to change as crews completed more thorough mapping and reconnaissance of the burn area.
The Pocket Fire remained an active incident into the evening, with local authorities and firefighting crews handling evacuations, road closures and on-the-ground suppression work. Information on containment, the fire’s cause, or additional impacts had not been provided in the immediate reports. Residents and visitors in the Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon areas were advised to follow official evacuation orders and roadway restrictions until authorities confirmed that conditions were safe and travel could resume.
The American Red Cross opened an evacuation shelter at Sedona Red Rock High School at 10 p.m. Friday, offering meals, water, health services and resources for those displaced from Oak Creek Canyon. Officials reported the Pocket Fire at 0% containment with hotshot crews and engines on scene, per the Arizona Emergency Information Network and Coconino National Forest.
The Arizona Department of Transportation ordered a full closure of State Route 89A, blocking a roughly 23‑mile stretch in both directions from Sedona north toward Interstate 17 and advising motorists to avoid Woody Mountain Road.
Forest and county officials say the fire was first reported at about 5:00 p.m. Friday near the East Pocket area of the Coconino National Forest.
Emergency orders issued by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office specifically covered visitors and residents between Sedona and Forest Highlands and included dispersed camping sites at West Fork.
Incident commanders reported additional resources on scene beyond engines and hotshot crews, including two hotshot crews, five engines, a bulldozer and aerial support assigned to the response.