SEDONA – The Cathedral Rock Trailhead on the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest will be closed to the public on Wednesday (July 19) due to the City of Sedona conducting work along Back O’ Beyond Road and the necessity to close the road which accesses the trailhead.
The trail itself is open for hiking, but the public will need to access Cathedral Rock Trail through alternate trailheads, such as Baldwin Trail Trailhead or Little Horse Trailhead. The city’s work consists of installing a new concrete box culvert system at the low-water crossing along Back O’ Beyond Road.
Category Archives: Sedona
Lightning-caused Sedona-area Miller Fire at 35 acres
SEDONA — The Miller Fire, located in the Secret Mountain Wilderness of the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District (GPS coordinates: 34°57’21.2″N 111°50’05.6″W), is now at roughly 35 acres.
A closure order has been issued for the area surrounding the fire, including Secret Mountain Loop Trails.
The Miller Fire is moving at a low rate of spread through brush, timber and rocky terrain southwest toward the south side of Secret Canyon and Maroon Mountain.
Current resources include one Hotshot crew, one hand crew, two engines, three helicopters and air attack.
Resources successfully established a control line on the eastern side of the fire in Secret Canyon Tuesday and spent Wednesday holding those lines while working to keep the fire south of Secret Canyon Creek.
Crews plan to continue working to directly suppress the fire at all accessible points and will evaluate inaccessible portions of the fire in order to respond when and if firefighting efforts can safely be carried out.
Rough and rocky terrain and steep cliff faces create challenges for on-the-ground fire suppression efforts. Predicted Friday wind gusts of up to 30 miles per hour may impede aerial operations.
The fire was first reported on May 20, but due to weather conditions, aerial resources were not able to confirm the fire until Monday, May 22.
There are no structures threatened by the fire.
Smoke impacts may be felt to the north and northeast of the fire. Light smoke is expected to settle into the Sedona area overnight.
Fossil Creek Road closure extended until late June
SEDONA — The closure of Fossil Creek Road, also known as Forest Road (FR) 708, has been extended until June 26 to complete roadwork necessary for safe public access.
Fossil Creek Road has been closed since late February for a resurfacing project.
FR 708 will reopen 8 a.m. June 26, at which point, access to Fossil Creek (permitted), FR 502 and the Childs Dispersed Camping Area will be allowed.
Permits are required to visit Fossil Creek. Permits for June 26-30 and July will be available on recreation.gov beginning June 1.
Following July, the standard process for reserving Fossil Creek permits will resume.
While construction on FR 708 has improved road conditions, motorists should still exercise caution. Watch for oncoming traffic and maintain safe speeds, especially around curves and areas with steep drop-offs.
Coconino National Forest motorists are reminded to always check the status of roads online at coconinonationalforest.us prior to any excursion. Roads may close at any time due to weather, hazards or other unforeseen events.
Miller Fire at roughly 19 acres, resources responding
SEDONA — The Miller Fire, located in the Secret Mountain Wilderness of the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District (RRRD) (GPS coordinates: 34°57’21.2″N 111°50’05.6″W), is now at roughly 19 acres.
It is creeping and smoldering upslope and to the southwest toward the south side of Secret Canyon and Maroon Mountain at a low rate of spread.
Crews assigned to the fire include one Hotshot crew, two engines and two helicopters.
Resources successfully established a control line on the eastern side of the fire in Secret Canyon Tuesday, helping to stop the fire from spreading any further east.
Crews plan to spend today and the next several days working to hold control lines on the east side of the fire and work to suppress fire growth to the south. Rough and rocky terrain and steep cliff faces create challenges for on-the-ground fire suppression efforts.
The fire was first reported on May 20, but due to weather conditions, aerial resources were not able to confirm the fire until Monday, May 22. The cause of the fire is currently undetermined.
There are no structures threatened by the fire and smoke will remain visible.
The RRRD is working to implement trail closures for forest visitor safety, but until formal closure orders are issued, visitors are asked to avoid the fire area, including the Secret Mountain Loop Trails (Secret Canyon #121, David Miller #164, Bear Sign #59 and Dry Creek #52), the HS Canyon Trail #50 and Long Canyon Trail #122.
Resources monitoring quarter-acre Sedona-area fire
SEDONA — Resources are monitoring a quarter-acre fire located in the Secret Mountain Wilderness of the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District.
The Miller Fire, which was confirmed at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 22, is smoldering at a low intensity in heavy dead and down fuels, and is located about 4.5 miles west of Slide Rock State Park (GPS coordinates: 34°57’21.2″N 111°50’05.6″W).
The fire was first reported on May 20, but due to weather conditions, aerial resources were not able to confirm the fire until this morning.
Due to the lack of accessibility and potential thunderstorms, resources are monitoring the fire and developing strategic plans.
There are no structures threatened by the fire and smoke may be visible.
Additionally, there are no road or trail closures in effect, but visitors are asked to avoid the fire area.
Plan for intermittent daytime lane restrictions on State Route 179 in Sedona May 1-10
SEDONA — The Arizona Department of Transportation advises Sedona area drivers to plan for intermittent lane restrictions on State Route 179 beginning May 1.
Drivers should allow for extra travel time while the following daytime restrictions are in place from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from May 1 through May 10.:
- SR 179 will be intermittently narrowed to one lane only with alternating north- and southbound travel from Chapel Road to SR 89A (mileposts 310 – 313).
- Flaggers and a pilot car will guide traffic through the work zone.
- The speed limit will be reduced in the work zone.
- Drivers should be prepared to come to a complete stop in the work zone.
- The restrictions will be lifted after maintenance crews finish each day.
The restriction is needed so crews can safely complete temporary pavement repairs along this stretch of SR 179
CCSO Search and Rescue Conducts a Climbing Rescue Near Sedona
SEDONA – On January 8th at 1717 hours the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a climbing party of five indicating that one of the climbers, a 25-year-old female, had her right leg stuck in crack in the rock after it slipped into the crack while she was climbing up the route on Queen Victoria Spire off of Schnebly Hill Road in Sedona. The climber and her partners could not extricate her leg from the crack. She was at the beginning of the second pitch of a climb on Queen Victoria Spire which meant she was approximately 200 feet above the ground and 150 feet below the summit of the spire. Her climbing partners had tried various methods to get her unstuck but were not successful. She was reported to be in pain, but no obvious injuries were observed.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit responded along with the Sedona Fire District and a request was made for assistance from Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue. Due to the time of day and the operation anticipated a DPS aircraft capable of nighttime hoist capability was needed. Upon the arrival of the Air Rescue helicopter in the area a rescue plan was developed to insert a Trooper/Medic to the scene by hoist to assess the situation and make attempts to free the climber from the crack. A team of Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue technical rescue personnel with rope rescue equipment was prepared to be inserted on the top of the spire by helicopter to rig a rope rescue system to assist. A Sedona Fire District team of technical rescue personnel were staged at the base of the climb to assist if needed.
After the assessment by the Trooper/Medic on scene it was determined that additional assistance from the technical rescue personnel was needed, so four technical rescue personnel and equipment were inserted to the top of the spire by helicopter to begin setting up the system. While the system was being prepared, the efforts by the Trooper/Medic were successful in freeing the climber’s leg from the crack. The helicopter was brought back in to hoist out two climbers and the Trooper/Medic from the scene. In addition, the helicopter was used to pick up the four rescuers and the additional three climbers from the top of the spire to transport them back to the incident command post. The climbers were evaluated by paramedics from Sedona Fire District and later refused additional medical care before leaving the scene.
This mission was complicated by operating in the dark on steep and complex terrain. The interagency relationships and training between the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, the Sedona Fire District, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue were instrumental in the successful response and outcome of this mission.
Lower Sycamore Creek, Parsons Trail to close Saturday due to flash flooding risk
SEDONA – A portion of the Coconino National Forest surrounding Sycamore Creek will temporarily close at 6 a.m. Saturday due to an increased risk of flash flooding.
The closure area includes Parsons Trailhead, Parsons Trail north (including Parson’s Spring), and the confluence of Sycamore Creek and the Verde River.
The purpose of the temporary area closure is to protect the public from increased risk of flash flood events during the monsoon season due to the post-fire debris that has accumulated in Sycamore Creek due to the Rafael Fire.
The Rafael Fire burned through the Sycamore Creek drainage in June 2021, leaving large amounts of debris within lower Sycamore Creek. Monsoonal rains occurring locally or within the border watershed may cause flash flooding due to steep canyons located around the creek. Due to the span of the creek’s watershed, storms that can create flash floods in the Sycamore Creek area can occur miles away and may not be easily visible.
The Coconino NF will coordinate with the National Weather Service in determining when to lift this temporary closure. The closure will remain in place until monsoonal precipitation decreases enough that the area can be safely reopened.
The Coconino NF will continue monitoring the status of debris in the closure area and will determine when and whether to close the area again due to risk of flash flooding.
V Bar V Heritage Site, Red Rock visitor center to reopen next week
FLAGSTAFF — The V Bar V Heritage Site and the Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center will both reopen to the public beginning next week.
V Bar V Heritage Site:
The V Bar V Heritage Site, located at 6750 N. Forest Road 618 in Rimrock, will reopen on June 18.
Operating hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Monday.
COVID-19 restrictions include group size limitations and requested mask usage for unvaccinated individuals.
Either an America the Beautiful Interagency Pass or a Red Rock Pass (available on site) is required for access to the heritage site.
V Bar V is a rock art/ ceremonial site that features more than 1,000 petroglyphs and is largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley.
Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center:
The Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center, located at 8375 Highway 179 in Sedona, will reopen June 14.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday, and noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The Arizona Natural History Association Gift Shop will be open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Several COVID-19 restrictions will be in effect. Capacity inside the building will be limited to 20 visitors at a time, and social distancing is encouraged. Visitors who have not been vaccinated are asked to wear a mask, and visitors who wish to remain outside are welcome to call 928-203-2900 for assistance, or to visit the informational kiosk outside the building next to the parking lot.
Pig Fire south of Sedona approximately 20% contained
SEDONA — Coconino National Forest firefighters continue to suppress the Pig Fire approximately 5 miles south/southeast of Village of Oak Creek off the east side of northbound Interstate 17.
The fire does not pose any risk to structures, homes or communities. Burnout operations yesterday and into the night helped secure the I-17 corridor and other lines around the upper section of Forest Road 689, bringing the fire to 480 acres as of this morning.
Fire investigators determined the cause of the wildfire to be a piece of catalytic converter discharged from a vehicle traveling along the interstate. Faulty catalytic converters can break apart and move through the exhaust system, eventually discharging from the muffler. These tiny pieces of “honeycomb” are extremely hot, and if they land on flammable material—such as dry brush and grass—often start a wildfire.
Fire crews will continue to hold and improve the lines established throughout the day and monitor the south side of the fire where there was little activity yesterday.
Current resources on scene include a Hotshot crew, six engines, a fuels crew, one water tender, one dozer, and partner agency personnel from Arizona Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, and Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. In total, approximately 95 firefighters and personnel are assigned to the fire.
Lane restrictions and closures may exist on the northbound side of I-17 near the Sedona exit, so motorists should plan for additional time when traveling north.