The wildfire burning west of Oak Creek Canyon and north of Sedona had consumed 25,160 acres and was listed as 31% contained as of Saturday, July 4, officials reported. Thick columns of smoke continued to rise over the red‑rock landscape as firefighters worked to hold and strengthen containment lines. In a social media update, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said several neighborhoods shifted to a lower evacuation status, but warned residents that they would still see smoke and active fire behavior for the foreseeable future.
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Thick smoke from the Pocket Fire billows over red‑rock cliffs near Sedona as crews battle a blaze that has scorched more than 25,000 acres and prompted evacuations, July 4.
The sheriff’s office announced that Kachina Village, Forest Highlands and Pine Del have been downgraded from “SET” — a pre‑evacuation stage — to “READY” status. The change affects zones 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98 and 99. Other nearby areas, including Oak Creek Canyon and the Seven Canyons area, remain on SET status while officials continue to monitor conditions and adjust protective actions as needed.
Authorities hosted a public briefing in Sedona to provide updates to residents and visitors. That meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, at Red Rock Junior and Senior High School, located off Highway 89A and Upper Red Rock Loop Road, and was also livestreamed on the Coconino National Forest Facebook page so people could follow the latest information remotely. Fire managers and local law enforcement used the session to outline current fire activity, containment efforts and to answer questions from the community.
While crews established containment on some portions of the fire on Wednesday, officials said the incident remained active in the east and south. "Because of the complexity of the landscape, the fire remains dynamic and is far from over," fire officials said. Strong gusts had carried burning embers as far as a mile ahead of the main flame front, prompting firefighting teams to employ burnouts in targeted locations. Fire managers described burnouts as a tactic that consumes potential fuels in a controlled way, slowing the advance of the blaze while minimizing the landscape damage that can come from heavier mechanical tactics like dozers.
Road access remained restricted in the immediate area, with State Route 89A closed to all but area residents. The effort to suppress the Pocket Fire involved nearly a thousand personnel working in difficult conditions. U.S. Forest Service incident command team member Dick Fleishman said the combination of terrain and fire behavior has tested crews. "It’s challenging," Fleishman said. "It’s probably one of the most challenging fires that almost every fire manager on this fire said this one is complex, one of the most complex."
Weekend Red Flag warnings — conditions that signal high fire danger — contributed to rapid growth and pushed smoke across the High Country. A High Pollution Advisory was issued for Flagstaff on Tuesday as smoke settled over the city. Residents and visitors in downtown Flagstaff reported layers of smoke and ash on Monday after winds carried smoke from the Pocket Fire into town. Visitors described ash falling onto outdoor tables and into food and drinks, and some businesses reported lighter foot traffic amid concerns about air quality.
Local business owners and public health officials urged caution while emphasizing that storefronts and services remained open. Tyler Stickler, owner of Grand Canyon Chocolate, said smoke had discouraged some visitors who travel from the Valley to escape heat, and that fewer tourists has direct consequences for downtown retailers. "It does affect downtown, and I think just walking traffic, there’s some people that say, ‘I don’t want to go walk around in the smoke,’" Stickler said. Health officials with Coconino County also urged people at greater risk to limit exposure. Michele Axlund, director of Health and Human Services for Coconino County, advised that the elderly, young children and people with underlying conditions take steps to avoid smoke. "It gets into our lungs and straight to our bloodstream," Axlund said. "So this long-term effect of the smoke really is something we’re asking the public to take notice of."
As crews battled flames and worked to shore up control lines, many residents in nearby communities prepared for the possibility of evacuation. In Kachina Village, some households packed valuables and sentimental items ahead of any potential orders. Lexi Wahl said she prioritized family keepsakes — baby clothes, a grandfather’s camera and boxes of photographs — loading them into a friend’s pickup. "Monetary value, in that sense, doesn’t mean too much to me, but you leave one thing there and you’ll never see it again," Wahl said. Another resident, Shira Itogawa, described a methodical packing approach: "Get the essentials, if you have time get a little bit more than the essentials, if you have time get a little bit more than that," she said, noting her familiarity with wildfire preparations.
Fire managers reiterated that, despite localized improvements in containment and the downgrading of some pre‑evacuation zones, active fire behavior and smoke will likely continue to affect the region. Crews will maintain suppression activities, including burnouts and other tactics suited to the steep, complex terrain, while officials continue to update evacuation statuses and public health guidance as conditions evolve.
Fire officials warned that achieving full containment of the Pocket Fire could take months due to the rugged terrain in the most active areas, where direct engagement is limited and a significant monsoon may be required. U.S. Forest Service spokesman Dick Fleishman noted the complexity means some burning will continue unchecked for now. A new California Interagency Incident Management Team is set to assume command.
The Pocket Fire was first reported on June 19, 2026, and incident maps show the blaze burning in the Red Rock–Secret Mountain Wilderness while spanning both Coconino and Yavapai counties.
California Interagency Complex Incident Management Team 6 is scheduled to assume command of the Pocket Fire on the morning of Sunday, July 5, 2026.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire area as firefighting aircraft — including large helicopters and airtankers — continue water‑reload and aerial suppression operations.
Incident staffing was listed at about 1,089 personnel on July 4, 2026, and local reporting showed Sedona Fire District crews short‑hauling an injured wildland firefighter during operations who was transported for medical care.