View of Slide Rock fire from Village of Oak Creek in Sedona at 6:45 PM photo credit SedonaEye.com
Acreage estimates and fire fighting operations will be updated in the comment section below this article as more information becomes available.
Multiple firefighting units have responded, including two Hotshot crews, four engines, two helicopters, an air attack unit and the Sedona Fire District.
Highway 89A is closed to traffic north of uptown Sedona, and south bound from Flagstaff, Arizona. Evacuations are being ordered for areas just north of Slide Rock State Park.
Structures are threatened and evacuations have been ordered. The fire is currently moving to the north and fuel treatments in the area have kept the fire from aggressive activity.
In addition, Arizona Interstate 17 is closed in both directions near Sunset Point north of Phoenix because of a brush fire, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation: The freeway is closed from mile 254 for northbound traffic to mile 262 for southbound drivers. The site is near the Sunset Point Rest Area about 35 miles north of Phoenix. There is no indication when the freeway will reopen.
For more on Arizona highway conditions visit ADOT’s Travel Information site at az511.gov or call 5-1-1. Updates are also available on the ADOT Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT) and on Facebook.
For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!
As a long-time subscriber of Sedona Eye, I would also like to echo the comments made by Eddie Maddock. This website is the only one that provides local up-to-date information, unbiased reporting and allows everyone to voice their opinions.
Unfortunately, some individuals (perhaps, only one under assumed names) have chosen to use this site to send in (as amply stated by EM) ” ongoing orchestrated comments to salve a personal vendetta at the risk of even tainting the reputation of this production.” Their (his) malicious, abusive comments and innuendoes have no place on this site. I suggest that this individual use other venues and means to deal with his personal frustrations.
Slide Fire Update – 8:08 AM – May 30, 2014
Public Information:
For information regarding re-entry of residents to the Oak Creek Canyon area please see http://www.coconino.az.gov
For more information regarding the Coconino National Forest Closures and Recreation sites in the Oak Creek Canyon contact the Red Rock Ranger Station @ (928) 203-2900 http://www.coconino.az.gov
Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov
The Slide Fire is located in Oak Creek Canyon just north of Slide Rock State Park and burned northward, predominantly on the west side of the canyon.
Size: 21,217 acres
Containment: 75 percent
Date Reported: Tuesday, May 20 at approximately 4 p.m.
Cause: Human caused, under investigation.
Current Resources: Approximately 511 personnel.
Cost: 8.6 million dollars.
Yesterday: Crews worked along Highway 89A to chip woody material for removal and patrolled containment lines.
Today: Crews on all areas of the fire perimeter will continue chipping, patrol, and rehabilitation efforts. Internal areas of yet unburned fuel may continue to smolder, producing light to moderate smoke.
Restrictions & Closures: The Coconino and Kaibab National Forests have implemented Stage II fire restrictions effective Friday (5/30) at 8 a.m., for additional information please visit Arizona Fire Restrictions http://firerestrictions.us/az/
The Coconino National Forest has issued an emergency closure on all National Forest System lands within the area of the Slide Fire on the Coconino National Forest, in Coconino and Yavapai Counties. To view the Order and map of the fire closure area, visit: http://tinyurl.com/mzja5rd
Evacuations UPDATE: The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has opened US 89A at Slide Rock State Park to residents only. Only verified residents will be allowed past the roadblock. For information regarding re-entry of residents to the Oak Creek Canyon area please see http://www.coconino.az.gov
Closed Roads: Highway 89A from Sedona to Vista Overlook, Forest Road (FR) 535 at Highway 89A, FR 533 at Highway 89A, FR 231 at Rogers Lake, FR 527 and 530 (west side; Volunteer Canyon area) and Casner Mountain is closed to all vehicles. The roadway will remain closed at the Pine Flats campground north to the overlook at the switchbacks for undetermined time.
Air Quality: For information on air quality, please visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at: http://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx
Liked this article’s updates on Facebook.
Liked this article’s updates on Facebook.
This morning’s fire update: 21,217 acres burned; 75% containment; local residents allowed back into their homes to begin cleanup (e.g., rotten food in refrigerators); area still closed to all public use. All in all, good news for Day 10.
SR 89A project resumes in Oak Creek Canyon’s switchbacks – As the battle against the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon winds down, the ongoing highway-improvement project along the “switchbacks” section of AZ State Route 89A will resume this weekend.
The previously-scheduled closure of the three-mile stretch of SR 89A between the Pine Flat Campground and the Vista scenic overlook south of Flagstaff will remain in place for several weeks while crews remove loose rocks above the switchbacks, complete other safety improvements and resurface the highway.
SR 89A will reopen to traffic before the Fourth of July weekend.
DETOUR INFO: While the switchbacks section along SR 89A is closed, ADOT recommends drivers use Interstate 17 and State Route 179 to travel between Flagstaff and Sedona. The full closure of the highway had been scheduled to start on Tuesday (May 27) but crews were temporarily pulled off the project more than a week ago (Tuesday, May 20) due to the Slide Fire.
Slide Fire Update – May 31 2014 – 8 AM
Size: 21,227 acres
Containment: 90 Percent
Date Reported: Tuesday, May 20 at approximately 4 p.m.
Cause: Human caused, under investigation.
Current Resources: Approximately 200 personnel.
Cost: 9.3 million dollars.
Today: Due to the high containment and low threat of growth, Slide Fire Management will transition from Tony Sciacca’s Southwest Incident Management Type I Team to a local Type III Organization under the Command of ICT#, Preston Mercer. The Type III Team will take Command of the Fire at 5:00 pm today, 5/31/14.
Crews on all areas of the fire perimeter will continue chipping, patrol, and rehabilitation efforts. Internal areas of yet unburned fuel may continue to smolder, producing light smoke.
Yesterday: Crews worked along Highway 89A to chip woody material for removal and patrolled containment lines.
Forest Restrictions & Closures: The Coconino and Kaibab National Forests continue Stage II fire restrictions that went into effective Friday (5/30) at 8 a.m., for additional information please visit Arizona Fire Restrictions http://firerestrictions.us/az/. The Coconino National Forest has issued an emergency closure on all National Forest System lands within the area of the Slide Fire on the Coconino National Forest, in Coconino and Yavapai Counties. To view the Order and map of the fire closure area, visit: http://tinyurl.com/mzja5rd
Closed Roads: Highway 89A will remain closed from the Pine Flats campground north to the entrance of the overlook at the switchbacks. The overlook will be open to the public.
Air Quality: For information on air quality, please visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at: http://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx
“The recent report from Sedona Times on the Sedona Slide Fire: 21,227 Acres burned and 90% contained! Almost there! I’ll have to find something else to write about soon! : /”
thanks for the update
Closing in on the SEDONA fire!
Finally! It will be 2 wks Tuesday. We can sleep eith windows OPEN Tonight!
Glad to hear.
Let us not overlook the price tag for this frivolous human-caused activity:
9.3 MILLION DOLLARS.
Slide Fire Update 06.01.14 @ 8 AM –
Public Information:
Size: 21,227 acres
Containment: 90 Percent
Date Reported: Tuesday, May 20 at approximately 4 p.m.
Cause: Human caused, under investigation.
Current Resources: Approximately 200 personnel.
Cost: 9.3 million dollars.
Yesterday: Near Sterling Canyon, an internal area of unburned fuel produced a small flare up in the afternoon. Helicopters were used for water bucket drops on the steep and rugged canyon walls in this area. No new fire spread is expected outside the existing fire perimeter.
Today: Crews will continue to monitor the area throughout the day and additional helicopter work may be necessary. Other internal areas of unburned fuel may continue to smolder, producing light smoke. Crews on all area of the fire perimeter will continue rehabilitation efforts.
Forest Closure: Many areas within Oak Creek Canyon remain closed to the public. The Coconino National Forest has issued an emergency closure on all National Forest System lands within the area of the Slide Fire on the Coconino National Forest, in Coconino and Yavapai Counties. To view the Order and map of the fire closure area, visit: http://tinyurl.com/mzja5rd
Forest Restrictions: The Coconino and Kaibab National Forests continue Stage II fire restrictions that went into effective Friday (5/30) at 8 a.m., for additional information please visit Arizona Fire Restrictions http://firerestrictions.us/az/.
Closed Roads: Highway 89A will remain closed from the Pine Flats campground north to the entrance of the overlook at the switchbacks. The ‘overlook’ will be open to the public.
Air Quality: For information on air quality, please visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at: http://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx
Slide Fire Wildfire – Update Information June 2, 2014 from Incident Management to be followed by Burn Update
Coconino National Forest Closures and Recreation in Oak Creek Canyon: 928-203-2900
Size: 21,227 acres
Containment: 90 Percent
Date Reported: Tuesday, May 20 at approximately 4 p.m.
Cause: Human caused, under investigation.
Current Resources: Approximately 200 personnel.
Cost: 9.8 million dollars.
Yesterday: Within the controlled fire perimeter, areas of unburned fuel produced a small flare up in the afternoon near Junipine Resort. Helicopters were used for water bucket drops on the steep and rugged canyon walls in this area. No new fire spread is expected outside the existing fire perimeter.
Today: Crews will continue to monitor the area throughout the day and additional helicopter work may be necessary. Other internal areas of unburned fuel may continue to smolder, producing light smoke. Crews on all area of the fire perimeter will continue rehabilitation efforts.
Forest Closure: Many areas within Oak Creek Canyon remain closed to the public. The Coconino National Forest has issued an emergency closure on all National Forest System lands within the area of the Slide Fire on the Coconino National Forest, in Coconino and Yavapai Counties. To view the Order and map of the fire closure area, visit: http://tinyurl.com/mzja5rd
Forest Restrictions: The Coconino and Kaibab National Forests continue Stage II fire restrictions that went into effective Friday (5/30) at 8 a.m., for additional information please visit Arizona Fire Restrictions http://firerestrictions.us/az/.
Closed Roads: Highway 89A will remain closed from the Pine Flats campground north to the entrance of the overlook at the switchbacks. The ‘overlook’ will be open to the public.
Air Quality: For information on air quality, please visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at: http://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx
Slide Fire Morning June 2 2014 Update – Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team begins work on the Slide Fire
Although the initial threat of the Slide Fire has passed, post-fire conditions are being assessed to recommend preventative treatments and emergency stabilization for problems including soil erosion.
The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is designed to address emergency situations resulting from a wildfire, in this case the Slide Fire. BAER aims to prescribe and implement emergency treatments on federal land to minimize threats to life or property resulting from the effects of a fire, and to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources.
In the Southwestern Region of the USFS, a BAER team is required for all fires greater than 300 acres. After quickly evaluating the types of risks present, the leader assembles a core team of professionals such as hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, biologists, vegetation specialists, and archeologists, primarily from the local area. The BAER team’s work includes assessing post-fire conditions, recommending and implementing treatments, and monitoring. The entire process happens very quickly, usually within two to five weeks. In the Southwest, speed is required to get emergency stabilization and flood control measures in place before the onset of monsoonal thunderstorms.
Basic Information
Current as of 6/2/2014, 5:46:56 AM
Incident Type Burned Area Emergency Response
Cause Under Investigation, Human-caused
Location Oak Creek Canyon, north of Sedona
Incident Commander Greg Kuyumjian
Incident Description Post-slide Fire Assessment
Current Situation
Total Personnel 150
Size 21,227 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 90%
Significant Events
The BAER team has started assessment in the burned area. Today crews will concentrate on the top and along the creek in Oak Creek Canyon.
Weather Concerns – Single-digit RH and winds.
Slide Fire Update June 3, 2014 – Released at 10:04 AM
Size: 21,227 acres
Containment: 92 Percent
Date Reported: Tuesday, May 20 at approximately 4 p.m.
Cause: Human caused, under investigation.
Current Resources: Approximately 145 personnel.
Cost: 9.9 million dollars.
Yesterday: Within the controlled fire perimeter, areas of unburned fuel produced a small flare up in the afternoon in the Howard Pocket area. The flair up was far within the interior of fire containment lines. No new fire spread is expected outside the existing fire perimeter.
Today: Crews will continue to monitor the area throughout the day and additional helicopter work may be necessary. Other internal areas of unburned fuel may continue to smolder, producing light smoke. Crews on all areas of the fire perimeter will continue rehabilitation efforts.
Additionally, the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team continued work to address emergency situations resulting from the wildfire such as the potential for increased flooding and mud and/or debris flows. For more information on BAER please visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3884/
Forest Closure: Many areas within Oak Creek Canyon remain closed to the public. The Coconino National Forest has issued an emergency closure on all National Forest System lands within the area of the Slide Fire on the Coconino National Forest, in Coconino and Yavapai Counties. To view the Order and map of the fire closure area, visit: http://tinyurl.com/mzja5rd
Forest Restrictions: The Coconino and Kaibab National Forests continue Stage II fire restrictions that went into effective Friday (5/30) at 8 a.m., for additional information please visit Arizona Fire Restrictions http://firerestrictions.us/az/.
Closed Roads: Highway 89A will remain closed from the Pine Flats campground north to the entrance of the overlook at the switchbacks. The ‘overlook’ is open to the public.
Air Quality: For information on air quality, please visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at: http://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx
Below is a continuous slide show of 83 amazing photos of the Oak Creek Slide Fire near Sedona.
http://www.jaysoncoil.com/slidefire/slideshow
(Received via group email to http://www.SedonaEye.com editor)
This is the FINAL Slide Fire Information: It’s over.
Size: 21,227 acres
Containment: 100 Percent
Date Reported: Tuesday, May 20 at approximately 4 p.m.
Cause: Human caused, under investigation.
Cost: 10.1 million dollars.
New Fire Videos: View a post-fire flight down West Fork and along Highway 89A : http://tinyurl.com/k2xa8qg
New Interactive 3D Fire Map: Visit http://tinyurl.com/kc4w6pf and download the file. Note:You need to have Google Earth open on your computer before opening these layers. To install Google Earth visit: http://google.com/earth
Today: Crews continue to monitor the fire perimeter. While there are no threats to containment, internal areas of unburned fuel may continue to smolder, producing light smoke.
Forest Closure: Many areas within Oak Creek Canyon remain closed to the public.The Coconino National Forest has issued an emergency closure on all National Forest System lands within the area of the Slide Fire on the Coconino National Forest, in Coconino and Yavapai Counties.
To view the Order and map of the fire closure area, visit: http://tinyurl.com/mzja5rd
Closed Roads: Highway 89A will remain closed from the Pine Flats campground north to the entrance of the overlook at the switchbacks. The ‘overlook’ is open to the public.
Wonderful.. Good work fire fighters. Well done.
Great news!!!!!
It’s OVAH !
Thank you for all the updates and hard work