SEDONA — The Pocket Fire, burning north of Sedona, Arizona, and west of Oak Creek Canyon, grew to 23,451 acres with 25% containment as of the morning of July 3, 2024. The fire prompted evacuations for several communities and led to road and forest closures.

The fire began on June 19, 2024, and its cause remains under investigation. On June 26, 2024, the Highlands Fire District reported the blaze covered 17,069 acres with 20% containment. The fire continued to expand, reaching 20,680 acres with 21% containment by the morning of July 2, 2024.

More than 950 fire personnel are assigned to the blaze. Firefighters are working to prevent the fire from advancing down the canyon within the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon. Hotshot crews are battling flames in Bear Sign Canyon, while tankers have dropped retardant in Secret Canyon. Forest Road 538, down to the Secret Mountain trailhead, has been prepared as a firebreak, and Hidden Cabin and Secret Cabin have received protection treatments.

Officials implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions on June 24, 2024, which prohibit campfires, stove fires, and outdoor smoking. The fire has spread into areas near Oak Creek Canyon, the West Fork trail, and the Edge of the World camping area, with flames reaching approximately 16 feet in height. Smoke from the fire has drifted into Flagstaff and other northern Arizona communities. A fire behavior analyst stated that the burning index reached an all-time record during the weekend of June 22-23, 2024. Officials indicated that rain and lightning were not anticipated in the immediate forecast as of late June.

In response to the fire's progression, Oak Creek Canyon, Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, and Pine Del are under SET evacuation status. This status advises residents to be packed and prepared for immediate departure if conditions deteriorate. Campgrounds, day-use sites, and forest access roads in Oak Creek Canyon are closed. Sections of State Route 89A and Woody Mountain Road (Forest Road 231) are also closed, with State Route 89A between Sedona and Kachina Village restricted to local traffic only. Residents of Oak Creek Canyon can only enter the canyon from the south. Sedona residents have observed fire off the summit of Maroon Mountain. Travis Mabery, Operations Section Chief, stated, "The fire may continue to burn in some isolated areas."