Sedona businesses feel impact as Pocket Fire keeps July Fourth tourists away

The Fourth of July weekend is traditionally one of Sedona’s busiest stretches of the year, a time when downtown parking spaces are a hot commodity.

This year, the lots were nearly empty.

“There was no traffic. It was easy to park,” Greater Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau president David Key told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “When you’re of course knowing that people’s livelihood depends on the tourism business, it is sad to see.”

What is the latest on the Pocket Fire?

The Pocket Fire, first detected June 19 about 7 miles north of Sedona in the Coconino National Forest, has grown to 26,442 acres with 48% containment as of Monday morning, according to the incident management team.

More than 1,000 personnel were assigned to the blaze, which has burned through wood and brush in the rugged Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness.

“These folks are as good as it gets,” Key said. “They are really working day in and day out to keep us informed and to keep us safe.”

No injuries or structure damage has been reported.

The fire’s footprint has cast a long shadow over the tourism economy that sustains this northern Arizona town of roughly 10,000 residents.

Sedona draws nearly 3 million visitors a year, generating about $1 billion annually and supplying 77% of the city’s sales tax revenue.

State Route 89A remains closed in both directions between Sedona and Kachina Village south of Flagstaff, cutting off the scenic Oak Creek Canyon corridor that is itself one of the region’s top draws. Popular trailheads, including Devil’s Bridge, Fay Canyon and Bear Mountain, are also shut down.

Key said the business hit the hardest are the outdoor operators that depend on access to the surrounding public land.

“Beyond the Jeep tours, I think of our tour providers, even some of our metaphysical-based businesses that are leading people on yoga retreats on the land, more unique land experiences,” he said. “We are sad to see those dialed back.”

He encouraged visitors to explore trails that remain open, pointing to Airport Loop and Bell Rock as alternatives to closed routes.

Crews made significant progress over the weekend, aided by favorable weather that allowed firefighters to reach hard-to-access areas. The north and east sides of the fire are mostly contained, though helicopters and ground resources continue to work the southern and western edges.

Oak Creek Canyon and areas around the Seven Canyons Golf Club and Enchantment Resort remain under “SET” status in Arizona’s emergency alert system, meaning evacuation orders could come if conditions worsen.

Key urged travelers to check conditions through Coconino National Forest’s official channels before heading to Sedona, particularly those with health conditions sensitive to smoke, which has been drifting toward Flagstaff and communities to the north and northeast.

“If you’re in town, you are safe,” Key said. “You can be in town and not have to worry about that Pocket Fire.”

He also encouraged people to consider booking trips in the near future, saying the hospitality community needs the boost.

“The people we support in town, this business community, hospitality is what they do, and they love to take care of people,” he said. “We do really genuinely look forward to everyone visiting Sedona.”

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