Brins Fire Update

Highway 89A from Flagstaff south to the Halfway Picnic area was re-opened yesterday at 8:30 a.m. to residents & business owners only. Oak Creek Canyon & Highway 89A south of the Halfway Picnic Area to Uptown Sedona remain closed to all but fire traffic for safety reasons. Law enforcement personnel are stationed at the picnic area to enforce the road closure. The closure will be re-evaluated on a daily basis & re-opened when the dangers diminish. If an emergency situation should occur, the warning system would be activated & Coconino County Sheriff’s officers would contact individuals with further instructions.

The Red Cross Evacuation Center located at the Big Park Community School in the Village of Oak Creek closed yesterday evening at 7 p.m.

Yesterday, firelines were constructed to slow the spread of the fire in the cliffs on the west side. Heli-rappellers were used in Division A to access remote areas of the fire. A helispot is being to access part of the south side of the fire. Hotshot crews are doing direct attack where possible on the western flak of the fire to reduce the amount of fireline needed.

Fire will continue to back down to Oak Creek Canyon today. This area of the fire remains the major focus of fire suppression operations. Supported by engines & helicopters, firefighters conducted burnout operations on the southeast side of the fire, & worked to secure containment lines.

Crews also continue to re-inforce & enhance existing containment lines on the north & northwest areas of the fire.

Crews are strategically staged along Highway 89A monitoring the fire. Rolling debris on Highway 89A remains a concern. Wildland & structural protection engines remained strategically staged to protect residences & businesses, & aggressively attack any possible spot fires over Highway 89A. A front-end loader is being used to remove rocks & other debris from Highway 89A as needed. Containment is expected by June 28th.

Residents & visitors in the Sedona & Verde Valley areas may continue to see large quantities of smoke over the next few days resulting from additional burnout operations planned today. Emergency measures are in place to notify the public should there be any concerns for residents. The A.D.E.Q. continues to monitor air quality on a daily basis. Smoke-related inversions should lift around 9 am each day.

Wilderness values & Threatened & Endangered species habitat (Mexican spotted owl, narrow-headed garter snake, & Peregrine falcon) continue to be a concern during fire suppression efforts.

The point of origin for the wildland fire is closed to public access. An $11,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to the arrest & conviction of the person or persons responsible for the wildland fire. The number to call is 928-527-3600.

4,222 acres have burned. This acreage is based on an Infrared plane flight. Containment is estimated at 35%; full containment is predicted for June 28th. Approx., 5 miles of fireline remains to be built.

The next community meeting is at the Elk’s Lodge near the Sedona Airport will be tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.

The evacuation order for the following communities remains in effect:

1. Oak Creek Canyon from Midgely Bridge to the fish hatchery in Sterling Canyon (this includes homes, businesses & Forest Service campgrounds).
2. Residents are being escorted in & out by the Coconino Sheriff’s Office on a limited basis to retrieve any pets & livestock as well essential items such as personal medications.