Monsoons Help Put Out Sedona Wildfire

 Sedona, Arizona, is known for its views, red sandstone formations, and tourist popularity. However, on Friday, June 19, 2026, an undetermined cause, potentially literally, sparked a wildfire that would consume over 27,393 acres (Roughly 42.8 miles). 

The Pocket Fire began about seven miles north of Sedona near the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness Area. Though not even three acres were burned by the time responders were deployed, the situation quickly escalated to a massive statewide emergency. Campers were evacuated, roads were closed, and approximately 4,000,000 trees were burned in the chaos. 

Eventually, percentage-by-percentage, the fire reached 100% containment on July 30 and the crisis ended. With the help of monsoon storms, much needed rainfall gave firefighting crews some relief.  Miraculously, no human casualties occurred. Though the fire has been taken care of, it may be decades before the terrain affected grows back.

Some recreation sites, trails and creek areas are still closed due to post-fire hazards. Slide Rock State Park is open, but the swim area is closed. You can check closure updates at https://visitsedona.com/pocket-fire/