Alert for anyone coming to Flagstaff or Sedona this week

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Hi,
Today a fire started in Sedona, and is still growing at this hour. It is heading up toward the Munds area, Jacks Canyon and north toward Schnebly area.

Highway 17 between Sedona and Flagstaff may be experiencing heavy smoke on Friday, June 2.

Hwy 179 into Sedona might also experience smoke, traffic delays and other issues as the fire crews must get into the area through that one and only access road.

If you have lung conditions that are aggravated by smoke you may want to be aware of this.

I will try to add more as I find out.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

The latest report is that the fire is in the Munds Mountain Wilderness, and the smoke is not as billowing as it had been yesterday.

There is still an active burn, and the firefighters are battling it.

Smoke is spread throughout the Sedona area, and is more heavy at night when the air cools down.

Visibility is smoke filled at the present time. Hiking would be difficult on a person, no matter how healthy their lungs.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Tonight's report: crews still working on the fires. Homes were protected, only 6 structures lost. Pine Valley residents are not allowed back to their homes as the fire is still active. The fire is in Munds Mountain Wilderness. Smoke has diminished but is still making skies hazy and it is drifting throughout the area. Expected update on Saturday morning.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

We heard it on our news tonight. I hope you are safe, Katiemack.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Pine Valley residents have been allowed back into their homes, although the fire is only 50% contained. The fire is moved north and east of the residences, but hotspots continue to fire up all over the original spots of the blaze.

The Fire Service has posted Trail closings for :

Trails closed – Woods Canyon, Jacks Canyon, Hot Loop, Munds Mountain
Roads closed – The section of Schnebly Hill Road from I17
to the gate at MerryGoRound.

As well as adding more strict restrictions to the area:

Restrictions:

As fire danger increases, additional fire restrictions go into effect on the Coconino National Forest Monday, June 5, 2006, at 8 a.m., prohibiting activities which could cause a wildfire.

·

Campfires—including charcoal fires—are prohibited in all areas, including developed campgrounds. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters are allowed.

·

Operating a chainsaw is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. These restrictions apply to both personal use with a firewood permit and commercial operations.

Also prohibited:

·

Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or developed recreation site.

·

Welding.

·

Using an explosive.

·

Operating any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arrester.

·

Operating a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads, except when parking in an area cleared of vegetation, and except in the Cinder Hills OffHighway Vehicle Area north of Flagstaff.

·

Fireworks are always prohibited on national forest lands.

Violations are punishable by a fine of not more that $5,000, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. These restrictions will remain in place until enough precipitation falls to decrease fire danger. For further information about fire restrictions on the Coconino National Forest, visit

www.coconinoforest.us or call 9285273600.
The latest fire restriction information on public lands
across Arizona can be found at www.azfireinfo.com and http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

The fire is now 95% contained, and no new fires have been reported around the perimeter. The smoke level has diminished greatly. The total personnel has been reduced to 71 people. This is great news!

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Were any buildlings, residences, or resorts damaged by the fire in Sedona itself? I haven't seen the news yet?

Mike

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

No resorts were near the area of the fire....the fire was located in the Pine Valley area just a hop or so east of the Village of Oak Creek. There was one home destroyed, one guest house and several buildings (like a studio and storage area). The miracle was that the fire didn't destroy other homes....well, not a miracle, it was the skill and dedication of some fantastic firefighters who protected each and every home. The air assault on the fire was intense and very effective. The fire burned north and east and up into the ridge line, but the firefighters were able to stop it at the ridge line, and thus save a raging firefight that could have made its way to Munds Park and the outer limits of Sedona (Schnebly Hill Rd.) and onward north.

The fire was a week ago...and a small delicate rain did come in about Tuesday, which helped some.

But all locals and visitors have got to be highly aware of the EXTREME risk when using anything that might create sparks, or flame.

If anyone plans to visit Sedona, and they love to smoke, it might be a good time to think about where you are putting out that butt.

This fire was created by a grinding of a metal fence...the sparks flew off and whoosh! Flames could be seen for over five miles. The smoke could be seen from 100 miles away.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

katiemack,

Thanks for all of the information. I and my family are planning to come to Sedona this Christmas. Is it expected that the fire will impact Sedona's tourism at this time? For how long, if you have heard?

Thanks so much.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Mike,
Right now Arizona, and many of the SW states are experiencing EXTREME dry conditions, drought, and risk of fire due to human causes or lightning.

If God wills it, we should see what we call "monsoon" building near month's end. July brings in our rainy season.

Sedona has been fortunate in the past few years and not experienced such fires as Show Low or Pine or Strawberry have had.

However, the brush, dead trees from the bark beetle invasion in the north part of the state has primed the fuel.

When the monsoon takes a firmer foot we can get relief from some of the conditions that make fire a risk.

You say you will be heading to Sedona during Christmas, so you should be in just fine shape for your visit to be just great.

Rains begin in July and can last through September. Then in November and December, with luck the Northern AZ area will get some more rains or light snows.

Unfortunately, today, another flare up began just east of the area of last week's fire ....it is still burning, but seems to be contained.

Best guess is that it is near the Munds Wilderness area or near I-17...right now there is no real information posted on the blaze. Smoke was visible most of the afternoon, and flames can be viewed this evening.

The area is well away from the city of Sedona or the area of Pine Valley which suffered last week's fire.

Once again, we will keep our firefighters in our thoughts and prayers.