The Pocket Fire north of Sedona burned more than 27,000 acres and was 74% contained as of July 11, 2026, officials said. The fire, managed by California Interagency Management Team 6, has affected businesses in Sedona and Flagstaff due to its location near Oak Creek Canyon and State Route 89A in Coconino and Yavapai counties.
The fire, managed by California Interagency Management Team 6, continues to burn in the Red Rock–Secret Mountain Wilderness Area on the Coconino National Forest, spanning Coconino and Yavapai counties. It is located approximately seven miles north of Sedona near Oak Creek Canyon and State Route 89A. Fire behavior remains moderate, with backing, flanking, and uphill runs reported by the National Interagency Fire Center. Containment lines have been established along the northern edge and near State Route 89A, but active fire persists east near West Fork and south near Seven Canyons, where rugged terrain complicates full containment efforts.
As of July 11, 2026, the Pocket Fire has burned 27,451 acres and was 74% contained, according to IQAir’s wildfire spotlight citing official data.
The fire has prompted ongoing evacuation warnings and restrictions. Oak Creek Canyon remains under a Level 2 “SET” evacuation warning, meaning residents must be prepared to leave if conditions worsen, according to the Coconino National Forest and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. On July 1, 2026, the incident management team, in consultation with local authorities, downgraded Forest Highlands, Kachina Village, and Pine Del from “SET” to “READY” status, indicating residents should remain alert but are not required to evacuate. The sheriff’s office clarified that there were no changes to other evacuation statuses at that time. State Route 89A remains closed between Sedona and Flagstaff except for residents due to ongoing fire activity and containment operations in Oak Creek Canyon and surrounding areas.
The fire has disrupted tourism and business operations in both Sedona and Flagstaff. Visit Sedona has emphasized that “Sedona remains open for business while the Pocket Fire response continues,” encouraging visitors to stay informed and respect closures and evacuation zones. Despite this, businesses reliant on tourism are affected by perceptions of danger, smoke impacts, and the closure of State Route 89A, which interrupts the usual flow of visitors between the two communities. IQAir identifies Sedona, Flagstaff, Forest Highlands, Kachina Village, Oak Creek Canyon, and Pine Del as among the Arizona cities and communities impacted by the fire and wildfire smoke. The scale of the incident, with over 1,078 personnel, 22 crews, 60 engines, and nine helicopters assigned as of July 9, 2026, suggests that hospitality, outdoor recreation, and travel businesses in the region may face extended disruptions.
Fire officials report that progress has been steady, with containment increasing from 38% to nearly 70% over several days. Fire spokesman Bob Poole, representing the U.S. Forest Service and incident command, said crews were “pretty pleased” with the progress and expressed hope that the fire would be “mostly out” within about two weeks. The National Interagency Fire Center’s July 9 situation report estimated full containment by July 31, 2026, indicating roughly three more weeks of active fire management and related restrictions. Officials do not expect the fire to advance closer to Kachina Village, reducing immediate risk to some residential and commercial areas, though active fire near West Fork and Seven Canyons continues to affect areas under “SET” evacuation status.
Regional air quality has been affected by wildfire smoke, with IQAir noting impacts in Flagstaff and Sedona. Smoke plumes are visible from Sedona and surrounding communities, although the Coconino National Forest has cautioned that increased smoke does not necessarily signal changes to evacuation orders. Prolonged evacuation alerts and road closures limit access to recreation areas, trails, and viewpoints that typically attract tourists, further affecting outdoor guides, tour companies, and related retail and food service businesses. Air quality advisories have led to recommendations for vulnerable populations to limit outdoor activity during periods of heavy smoke, adding indirect strain on community services and businesses even in areas outside active fire perimeters.
Officials continue to provide updates through InciWeb, the Coconino National Forest Facebook page, and local authorities. The City of Sedona directs questions about evacuation orders to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect over the fire area to ensure safety for firefighting aircraft and ground crews. As containment efforts progress, any relaxation of closures and evacuation alerts will influence the recovery outlook for businesses in Sedona and Flagstaff during the remainder of the fire season.
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