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Sedona Area Wildfire at Zero Containment

Sedona area Committee Fire preliminary map – CNF links are available in article for updates

Sedona AZ – The Committee Fire, located east of Sedona on Munds Mountain, is now at one hundred acres and growing, reports Coconino National Forest incident command.

The fire has a low-to-moderate rate of spread through heavy brush, and is currently moving in a north/northeast direction reported at zero percent containment.

Resources assigned to the Committee Fire include two Type 1 helicopters, one Hotshot crew, one engine and one fuels crew: Additional resources are on order.

Helicopters spent Saturday conducting bucket drops.

Smoke will continue to be visible from the Sedona area, as well as along AZ Interstate 17. No structures are threatened at this time.

Both Munds Mountain Trail and Jacks Canyon Trail are closed for public and firefighter safety. 

There is a 20 percent chance of precipitation on Sunday. Forecasted thunderstorms could cause erratic and unpredictable winds, regardless of whether rain is received.

The fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. Friday and was likely caused by lightning.

Follow information about this fire through the Coconino National Forest’s Facebook page and by signing up for news releases from the Coconino National Forest.

13 Comments

  1. Kingman Area Wildfires Update says:

    Bureau of Land Management – Arizona Fire
    @BLMAZFire
    CRD – Kingman Area Wildfires Update: 2 Fires remain active today – #CowFire, mapped 2.5 acres, and #PinePeakFire, mapped 9.2 acres. Both fires appear to have received some rain. Full update on @BLMArizona Facebook.
    BLM/#CowFire 7/17 Recon #AZFire

  2. CNF Committee Fire Update says:

    Sunday evening update: Erratic shifting winds due to thunderstorms have led to an increase in smoke and size on the Committee Fire, east of Sedona on Munds Mountain.

    The fire was measured at 106 acres at 2 p.m. July 17. However, a wind shift that started around 4 p.m. led to additional fire spread to the north and west on the mesa. Due to safety concerns, neither ground nor aerial resources are able to conduct an updated acreage measurement.

    The fire is moving at a moderate rate of spread through heavy brush, and containment is at 0 percent.

    Sunday operations included ground and aerial work. Helicopters shuttled firefighters to the top of the mesa to conduct ground operations throughout the day in addition to performing bucket drops along the steep edges of Jacks Canyon.

    Crews were safely removed from the fire area and aerial resources were grounded prior to the wind event.

    Resources assigned to the Committee Fire include two Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 1 Type 3 helicopter, 1 Unmanned Aircraft System module, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 fuels crew, 1 engine. Additional resources are on order.

    Smoke will continue to be visible from the Sedona area. No structures are threatened at this time. A closure order has been issued for various roads and trails in the fire area. Closures may update at any time.

    (The fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. on July 15 and was likely caused by lightning.)

  3. Tracy Y says:

    We can see the smoke, and at night the flames from our deck. This is so scary and sad. Thank you to all the emergency personnel for helping protect our precious land, wildlife and homes.

  4. Jim, Sedona says:

    If you have any questions, please contact the appropriate Ranger Station:

    Flagstaff Ranger Station: 928-526-0866
    Red Rock Ranger Station: 928-282-4119
    Mogollon Rim Ranger Station: 928-477-2255
    Forest Supervisor’s Office: 928-527-3600

  5. CNF Committee Fire Update says:

    There has been no new growth on the Committee Fire, located east of Sedona, within the past day due to a combination of crew work and weather conditions.

    The fire is still estimated at 300 acres.

    Mapping is currently being conducted via a combination of infrared flights, an Unmanned Aircraft System and perimeter walking.
    There have been no changes in fire behavior within the past day. Containment is still 0 percent while crews and aerial resources continue to establish and secure line.
    Monday operations included ground and aerial work. Air resources dropped retardant Monday evening. Earlier in the day, helicopters shuttled firefighters to the top of the mesa to conduct ground operations throughout the day in addition to performing bucket drops along the steep edges of Jacks Canyon.

    Crews plan to spend Tuesday conducting similar operations.

    Current resources assigned to the Committee Fire include two Hotshot crews, three engines, one fuels crew, two Type 1 helicopters, one type 2 helicopter, one Type 3 helicopter, an Unmanned Aircraft System, air attack, and miscellaneous overhead.

    Additional resources have been ordered.

    Individuals are asked to refrain from flying drones anywhere around the fire’s perimeter due to the large number of aerial resources working on the Committee Fire. If drones are present, all forest aircraft must be grounded, which hinders firefighting efforts.

    Smoke will continue to be visible from the Sedona area. No structures are threatened at this time.

    An updated closure order has been issued for various roads and trails in the fire area. Closures may update at any time.

    The fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. Friday and was likely caused by lightning.
    See full release: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/news-events/

  6. CNF Committee Fire Closures says:

    The Coconino National Forest has issues closure 03-04-06-22-22 Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, within the Red Rock and Flagstaff Ranger Districts, which prohibits:

    Going into or being upon the Restricted Area.
    Being on the road.
    Being on the trail.
    Additionally, the following trails are closed:

    Jacks Canyon National Forest System Trail #55 is closed from its start at Jacks Canyon Trailhead to its terminus at the intersection with Schnebly Hill National Forest System Trail #158
    Hot Loop National Forest System Trail #40 from the intersection with Hot Loop A (44A) to its terminus at the intersection with Schnebly Hill National Forest System Trail (#158)

    The purpose of this Order is to protect public’s health and safety from unsafe conditions.

    The order is effective until October 31, 2022, or until rescinded.

  7. Matt says:

    Jason Coil, Assistant Chief of @SedonaFD
    , talks about WHAT percent containment really means. The #CommitteeFire is at 14% contained currently. Check out CNF FB Twitter

    Thanks SFD CNF Rangers Hotshots and everyone fighting the committee fire. 14% containment better than 0%.

  8. Committee Fire Update July 23 says:

    The Committee Fire is 57 percent contained at 335 acres. Firefighters spent Thursday securing line along the top of Munds Mountain while aerial resources conducted air operations.

    Helicopters will continue to drop water on the steep chutes along Jacks Canyon as long as weather permits. The steep chutes along Jacks Canyon will remain unstaffed because firefighting crews cannot safely access the terrain.

    Smoke will remain visible from the Sedona area over the the next several days as the fire continues to smolder through the inaccessible brush. Substantial forecasted rain will help in the full suppression of the Committee Fire. (There is a 60 percent chance of rain Saturday night into Sunday.)

    Current resources assigned to the Committee Fire include one fuels crew, one engine, two Type 1 helicopters, one Type 2 helicopter and one Type 3 helicopter.

    No structures are threatened by the Committee Fire at this time.

  9. Committee Fire Update 7-25-22 says:

    Current as of 7/25/2022, 4:37:15 PM
    Incident Type Wildfire
    Cause Lightning (probable)
    Date of Origin Friday July 15th, 2022 approx. 12:45 PM
    Location Munds Mountain, east of Sedona
    Incident Commander Coconino National Forest
    Coordinates 34.857 latitude, -111.713 longitude

    Current Situation

    Total Personnel 63
    Size 362 Acres
    Percent of Perimeter Contained 70%
    Fuels Involved – Heavy brush

    Significant Events
    Monday: Containment increased to 70% on the Committee Fire due to precipitation throughout the weekend.

    Limited air operations are moderating smoldering areas.

    Full containment has been achieved in all locations accessible by foot.

    The weather forecast shows an increase in precipitation throughout next week.

  10. Sedona Small Business Owners * Parent of Schoolchildren says:

    Sedona needs to pay for fire and creek and sewer restorations before another dime spent on junk and programs the people involved can afford to pay rather than get free money from us hardworkers. Residents have contributed enough money to fix our city first. We need no more builds, we need to let homeowners put up less than 1000 sq ft guest houses on their properties and allow them to rent to locals as ADUs.
    Comments about Nimbys are stupid, we’re a very inclusive city if people move here, but do it legally or stay away or prove you have an alien residency card or we won’t hire you or people breaking our laws. I don’t want my cash registers ripped off and not hold the person responsible because they’re here illegally, takes off, can’t be found and police don’t care. Get it done right. Develop our city right. Don’t try to intimidate me or my fellow business owners, Chamber, because we can survive without you and some of us prove it every day. Slash that budget by half and half again next year and learn to live like people paying you.

  11. Get out and stay out warning says:

    Fire officials stress the importance of “Get Out, Stay Out” during a fire and urge citizens to never go back into a burning structure as they can quickly become disoriented and overwhelmed by smoke and heat. Remember it and do it.

  12. Mshobert says:

    Dangerous city of culdesacs. Fight a new water tank, in an area that needs water… Brilliance. NIMBY BANANA

  13. Rooney Oleas says:

    This article is about fire safety and you comment about dangerous city of culdesacs? Culdesacs are the SAFEST engineered designs in modern developments preventing easy theft or spreading fires or other random disasters by encouraging homeowners to invest in their own oversight. Neighborhoods in modern developments benefit from culdesacs because outsiders do not have random opportunities for spontaneity.

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