Wildfire Burning Just North of Sedona, Near Slide Rock

A wildfire started yesterday afternoon just north of Sedona, near Slide Rock State Park.The "Slide Fire" was estimated to be 400 to 450 acres as of about 7:30 p.m. yesterday, according to information provided by the Forest Service...

By Matthew Hendley

May 21, 2014

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A wildfire started yesterday afternoon just north of Sedona, near Slide Rock State Park.

The "Slide Fire" was estimated to be 400 to 450 acres as of about 7:30 p.m. yesterday, according to information provided by the Forest Service.

See also:
-10 Worst Wildfires in Modern Arizona History
-Investigating the Deaths of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots

The fire was 0 percent contained as of yesterday evening, and the Arizona Department of Transportation closed a 12-mile stretch of State Route 89A north of Sedona due to the fire.

According to the information from the Forest Service, the fire is believed to be human-caused and "under investigation," and there are about 100 structures currently threatened by the fire, including homes, vacation cabins, and a Forest Service lookout tower:

Fire activity is slowing toward the north and now concentrating on moving up the steep canyon walls. Resources are stationed above and below the fire. Smoke is heavy through Oak Creek Canyon and also visible from the Flagstaff area and will drift to the north; expect smoke to be noticeable along I-17 and in Flagstaff. No injuries to report.

About 100 people were fighting the fire yesterday evening, including two hotshot crews. Four more hotshot crews and three helicopters were expected to arrive today.

#ABC15 viewer Patty just shared this photo of the #SlideFire. Taken near Oak Creek Canyon on Tuesday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/EIokNgHPLY
— Rudy Rivas (@RudyABC15) May 21, 2014

UPDATE 12:17 p.m.: The fire is now at 850 acres, and is expected to be between 1,000 and 2,000 by tonight. There are about 200 people currently fighting the fire.

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