OAK CREEK – The Slide Rock Fire has grown to 7,500 acres according to an 8 p.m. update. The fire is reported to be 5% contained.

Crews continued to hold the fire west of Highway 89A and south of Fry Canyon. A small spot fire occurred across the northern line into an area that was previously thinned in 2006. Because this area was previously treated, the spot fire was unable to grow and crews quickly extinguished it. Hotshot crews also worked to create fire line across the Pumphouse Wash near the Hwy 89A ‘switchbacks’ to control the east flank and prevent further spread east.

Winds increased to 18-22mph with gusts of 32, temperatures were in the 70s. As the day continued to warm, firefighters saw an increase in fire behavior, with the most active portion of the fire toward the northwest to Harding Point. Firefighters observed active fire in the East Pocket area, but previously dropped retardant helped firefighters minimize growth.

Tonight firefighters will be working throughout the lower canyon to monitor fire activity and conduct burnout operations as necessary. Overnight downslope winds will likely continue to drive the fire down canyon. Erratic winds may also be present producing moderate fire behavior. Crews will conduct burnout operations along forest service road 535 and prepare FSR 231 for continued burnout operations tomorrow.

Earlier we reported that highway 89A from Sedona to Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff was open, but that is incorrect. It remains closed. Other routes closed are 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.

Evacuations remain in place in Oak Creek Canyon from Slide Rock State Park to Sterling Springs Hatchery. Coconino County issued a pre-evacuation notice to residents of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands subdivisions. Residents are advised to be prepared to evacuate. County Emergency Management encourages those in the affected neighborhoods to begin packing important items they may need for several days. These items include prescriptions, important papers, any special dietary needs and pets. No new evacuations are in place at this time.

Coconino County is reminding people to register their cellphone number with the County’s CodeRED emergency notification system. Only those residents whose numbers are registered will receive a direct phone call about any type of pre- or mandatory evacuation order.