Wildfire near Sedona grows to 17K

The blaze scorched an additional 1,700 acres overnight, growing to 17,069 acres burned as of July 1, according to fire officials. The fire had burned 15,376 acres as of June 30.

"Due to offensive firefighting and improved weather conditions, containment has been established in some areas of the fire," an early July 1 update from fire officials said. "However, fire remains active to the east near West Fork and to the south near Seven Canyons."

The progress on containment came after a day of work on June 30 to reduce fuel in the fire's path and keep the fire from moving from West Fork toward several communities. On the fire's south side, it "continues to slow," and crews will try to extinguish it there, the latest update from fire officials said.

Work on the south edge of the fire has been assisted by water drops, but control lines are being put in place as a contingency.

As of July 1, 1,036 fire personnel were assigned to the Pocket Fire.

The National Weather Service forecasted a high temperature of 90 degrees near Sedona, with sustained winds of 15 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. No precipitation was expected in the next several days, officials said.

The cause of the fire is undetermined. It began on June 19, according to federal wildfire tracker InciWeb.

Evacuation statuses haven't changed since June 30. Oak Creek Canyon, Forest Highlands, Kachina Village and Pine Dell remain in "set" status, meaning they are on alert for possible evacuation. A public meeting to inform residents about the response to the fire was set for 7 p.m. July 2 at Red Rock Junior and Senior High School near Upper Red Rock Loop Road and its intersection with State Route 89A in Sedona.

The blaze has caused uncertainty for businesses and families in one of Arizona's premier scenic canyons ahead of what would typically be a busy holiday weekend.

The fire has scorched viewpoints, hiking trails and campsites. Recreation areas and forest roads inside Oak Creek Canyon remain closed.

Forest Houses Resort evacuated their guests after the fire sparked on June 19, according to Jenny Kittredge, owner and manager of the Oak Creek Canyon resort. She's a third-generation owner and grew up there, she said.

"It's just been day to day uncertainty and stress really not knowing what the next day will bring," she said. "So it's definitely been an incredibly difficult time for us and other business owners in the canyon, and the families."