Brins Fire

The Brins Fire was human-caused. The apparent cause is an escaped campfire from a suspected transient camp in the area. The investigation is ongoing.

Extreme fire behavior was observed yesterday due to hot, dry weather & steep, rugged terrain. Flame lengths reached 50 to 70 feet. The fire burned on Brins Mesa & northeast across Wilson Mountain. In a couple of areas, the fire dropped off the east side of Wilson Mountain. Today, firefighters will be focusing on structure protection in the evacuated areas, anchoring the heel of the fire, and assessing areas near the head of the fire where line can be constructed. New estimated size of the Brins Fire: 1,138 acres (reduction in size is due to more accurate mapping in daylight).

Road Closures: U.S. Highway 89A is closed through Oak Creek Canyon. It will remain closed through this afternoon. The closure will be re-evaluated following today's operational period.

Trail Closures:
* Forest Road 152 off of Dry Creek Road (access road into Vultee Arch) is closed. (The county road known as Dry Creek Road is open.)
* All trails off of Forest Road 152 are closed. Those trails are: Brins Mesa, Devil's Bridge, Secret Canyon. Also, the road to VanDeren Cabin is closed.
* The North Urban Trails System is closed. That system includes Jordan Trailhead, Soldier Pass Trailhead, Sugarloaf Trailhead, Thunder Mountain Trailhead & all trails connecting from those trailheads.

Evacuations: The following communities have been evacuated:
* Oak Creek Canyon from Midgely Bridge to the fish hatchery in Sterling Canyon (this includes homes, businesses & Forest Service campgrounds)
* North end of Soldiers Pass Road (everything north of Casa Contenta)
* Upper part of Jordan Road (everything north of Navahopi)

An evacuation center has been set up by the American Red Cross at West Sedona School for residents from north Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon south of Indian Gardens. Evacuees from north of Indian Gardens should go to the N.A.U. Field House in Flagstaff. Animal control officials are working to accommodate pets taken to the evacuation centers.