There is a fire in Sedona, Arizona which began on Friday, July 15, 2022.  It is called the Committee Fire. Most likely caused by lightning, the fire is located east of Sedona on Munds Mountain. The fire is on top of the rim making it visible from Sedona and giving us some exciting views of flames and smoke.  Because of the remote location, the fire isn’t threatening homes at this time.  Smoke is visible and is filling the valley.

The Committee Fire is away from most of Sedona’s most popular hikes, like Cathedral Rock Trail, Bell Rock Trail and Fay Canyon Trail, but the Forest Service has closed an area south of Schnebly Hill Road.  They have also closed two trails, Jack’s Canyon Trail #55 and the Hot Loop Trail #40.  These trails can be accessed from the Sedona Red Rock Ranger Station.

We’ve attached the most recent press release from the Coconino National Forest and the Red Rock and Flagstaff Ranger Districts and a PDF of the closed area.  https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1044067.pdf

Erratic winds cause growth in Sedona-area Committee Fire

Release Date: Jul 17, 2022

SEDONA, Ariz., July 17, 2022 – Erratic shifting winds due to thunderstorms have led to an increase in smoke and size on the Committee Fire, located east of Sedona on Munds Mountain.

The fire was measured at 106 acres at 2 p.m. However, a wind shift that started around 4 p.m. led to additional fire spread to the north and west on the mesa. Due to safety concerns, neither ground nor aerial resources are able to conduct an updated acreage measurement.

The fire is moving at a moderate rate of spread through heavy brush, and containment is at 0 percent.

Sunday operations included ground and aerial work. Helicopters shuttled firefighters to the top of the mesa to conduct ground operations throughout the day in addition to performing bucket drops along the steep edges of Jacks Canyon.

Crews were safely removed from the fire area and aerial resources were grounded prior to the wind event.

Resources assigned to the Committee Fire include two Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 1 Type 3 helicopter, 1 Unmanned Aircraft System module, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 fuels crew, 1 engine. Additional resources are on order.

Smoke will continue to be visible from the Sedona area. No structures are threatened at this time.

A closure order has been issued for various roads and trails in the fire area. Closures may update at any time.

The fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. Friday and was likely caused by lightning.