oak creek canyon

Fire officials say the Pocket Fire’s heavy smoke that’s inundated Flagstaff has also helped moderate fire behavior as it drifts over the blaze.

The manager of a resort hotel near the Pocket Fire says she's concerned about it dropping into the canyon. A spokesperson working on the fire said it was “looking much better” on Saturday.

Several fire crews along with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft worked Saturday to contain a 500-acre wildfire north of Sedona that prompted the evacuation of Oak Creek Canyon the day before.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders for Oak Creek Canyon because of a wildfire burning 7 miles north of Sedona in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness.

Federal officials have renewed a mining ban on thousands of acres of Oak Creek Canyon. The protections lapsed five years ago leaving the area open to possible mining claims.

The Verde Valley city was ranked as the 16th most popular travel spot in the U.S. this year.

Next month state transportation officials will temporarily close State Route 89A near uptown Sedona to prevent rockfall in Oak Creek Canyon.

SR 89A will be closed in both directions between the Owenby Way roundabout and the Midgley Bridge picnic area Tuesday through Thursday and again next week.

The Arizona Department of Transportation next week will continue full overnight closures of State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon as they continue to improve the highway.

The Arizona Department of Transportation will close State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon overnight beginning next Monday.