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Sedona Area Wildfire Doesn’t Threaten City

Fire Smokey the BearSedona AZ (July 24, 2016) – Smoke visible across much of the Verde Valley and AZ I-17 from a Munds Mountain wilderness fire east of Sedona has burned over 200 acres but is not impacting Sedona residents or tourists except to increase travel delays on its arterial road system.

A Grand Canyon wildfire began after a June 29 lightning strike and was allowed to burn by the National Park Service for over a week. An inter-agency task force was called to help after the fire spread faster than it could be contained. Sources are saying the wildfire has burned 24 square miles and at one time over 480 firefighters were on scene.

Coconino Flagstaff Red Rock forest zonesThe task force reported the Grand Canyon wildfire about 65 percent contained as of yesterday. Area fire districts and National Park Service report that firefighter safety is the foremost concern as treacherous terrain prohibits access by men and equipment, a common theme in Arizona mountain wildfires.

Ellen Spitz of Ohio told reporters that the drive to Sedona was overlong and uncomfortably hot due to traffic conditions and that she saw helicopters with buckets headed to a fire zone. Except for smoke visible from the Village of Oak Creek, the Sedona area fire, labeled Munds Mountain fire, has not impacted the safety of residents and tourists within the city of Sedona.

The Munds Mountain task force reports air attack helicopters and planes along with 55 firefighters are working to help slow progress across the mesa, and to keep it from moving into side canyons. For public and fire fighter safety, the Munds Mountain Trail and Jacks Canyon Trail are closed. Do not attempt to hike or climb in this area until the closure is lifted.

Please note that the Grand Canyon North Rim roads have reopened after an area closure caused by a wildfire: The reopening allows visitors to use lookout points for the first time in several days, but off road trails will remain closed. Tourists must park in designated parking lots only.

Remember to carry plenty of water when driving across Arizona deserts and mountains. If traveling with pets and children, frequent stops are advised, and never leave children or pets unattended in any vehicle.

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4 Comments

  1. Nirmala says:

    The second and third paragraphs of this story are talking about the fire near the north rim of the Grand Canyon, not the fire near Sedona, which explains why the article first says the fire is just over 200 acres and then says it has burned 22 square miles.

    (Editor’s note: Thank you for your comment. We have added the necessary clarification.)

  2. Jackee Gentile, Goodyear says:

    Editors,

    You should tell people to use this link to find out about AQ

    http://wildlandfire.az.gov/links.asp#Smoke

    Thank you.

  3. SEVERE WEATHER ALERT says:

    SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING ISSUED JULY 28 AT 4:38PM MST UNTIL JULY 28 AT 5:15PM MST

    THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FLAGSTAFF HAS ISSUED A* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
    CENTRAL YAVAPAI COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ARIZONA…
    * UNTIL 515 PM MST
    * AT 437 PM MST…DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM
    CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS IN
    EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED OVER GROOM CREEK
    SUBDIVISION SOUTH OF PRESCOTT…AND MOVING WEST AT 15 MPH.
    * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
    WILHOIT AND PONDEROSA PARK.
    THIS INCLUDES STATE ROUTE 89 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 293 AND 308.

    SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS…DESTRUCTIVE HAIL…DEADLY LIGHTNING AND VERY HEAVY RAIN. FOR YOUR PROTECTION…MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. HEAVY RAINS FLOOD ROADS QUICKLY SO DO NOT DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WATCH, WARNING, ADVISORY

  4. Bob Sears, Needles says:

    were not getting rain, its a worry

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