Sedona Fire District and U.S. Forest Service firefighters are responding to a wildfire, currently 55 acres, located approximately 2 miles directly east of the Village of Oak Creek atop Horse Mesa, 6 miles southeast of Sedona city limits.

Update, Friday, Aug. 15: High humidity and lower temperatures today aided fire personnel to use natural and humanmade barriers to slow growth of the Woods Fire. The 55-acre Woods Fire, located approximately 2 miles east of the Village of Oak Creek atop Horse Mesa, was first reported at 12:20 p.m. Aug. 13.

A local Type III team is assigned to the incident. Resources on site include two hotshot crews, two engines, two water tenders, a Type I helicopter and a Type II helicopter.

For public health and safety, a closure order was issued for the area around the fire. Closed trails include Jacks Canyon, Woods Canyon and Hot Loop.

Close communication is ongoing with USFS, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and the Sedona Fire District. Both have personnel on scene assisting with the incident.

Residents in the Village of Oak Creek east of State Route 179 (zones YCU-1400, 1403, 1397, 1391, 1388, 1394, 1385) remain in a “SET” status. Residents should have an emergency kit and essential items ready to go and be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. To locate your zone and learn more about the readiness levels, go to YavapaiReady.gov. Up-to-date status levels can be found at Yavapai County’s Woods Fire incident. County residents can sign up for the Emergency Notification System at ycsoaz.gov/ENS or call the non-emergency line at (928) 771-3260.

Original story on Wednesday, Aug. 13:

The Woods Fire was first reported at about 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, and its cause is under investigation. Smoke is expected to remain visible in the fire area during suppression activities. The public is asked to avoid the area of the fire to provide for firefighter and public safety.

At 3:30 p.m., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and Yavapai County Emergency Managment posted a “Ready, Set, Go” evacuation notice: “Attention residents of Village of Oak Creek East of 179 Including areas of Jacks Canyon Rd and Pine Valley (YCU-1400, 1403, 1397, 1391, 1388, 1394, 1385) this is a SET message from YCSO. The Woods Fire is threatening your area. You should prepared to evacuate on short notice. Prepare supplies including important papers, medications and personal items.”

The Woods Fire is putting up smoke that is noticeable to those in the surrounding communities as well as motorists along I-17.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office posted an update at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 13: “SET status remains through the night. YCSO will remain on scene and monitor through the night. No structures or homes are threatened and there are no road closures. Please avoid the area. U.S. Forest Service fire personal have informed YCSO that the fire progress has slowed and there is a retardant line in place.”

Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service and Sedona Fire District are working together to contain the Woods Fire. SFD crews have been requested to assist USFS with water tender shuttle operations to support heavy helicopter bucket work.

“Here’s how it works: helicopters can drop thousands of gallons of water onto the fire, but they need quick access to refill,” SFD stated. “Crews set up large portable water tanks — known as “pumpkins” because of their bright orange, round shape — close to the fire area. Our water tenders then run a constant shuttle, hauling water from hydrants or other sources to keep those pumpkins full. This steady supply ensures the helicopters can keep making rapid, effective drops without long turnaround times.”

“This is a coordinated effort, firefighters are working side-by-side to protect our community and surrounding natural resources,” SFD stated. SFD will continue to share updates as conditions change.

Ready, Set, Go

Ready, Set, Go is a nationwide program adopted by the 15 Arizona county sheriffs offices that educates residents about proactive measures to take before an emergency and actions to follow when communities are threatened.

The three steps encourage Arizonans to get READY by preparing now for what threatens their community, be SET by maintaining awareness of significant danger and to GO, evacuate immediately when the danger is current and life-threatening.All-Hazard Evacuation Steps

READY – Prepare Now

• Be aware of the hazards that can threaten your community.
• Take steps now to prepare for seasonal threats.
• Register with your county/tribal emergency notification system.
• Connect with your local emergency management office, sheriff’s office and public health department on social media.
• Make a family evacuation and communication plan that includes family phone numbers, out-of-town contacts and family meeting locations.
• Build an emergency go kit with enough food, water and necessary supplies for at least 72 hours. Include supplies to help keep you and your family healthy, such as face coverings, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Start with the five P’s; people and pet supplies, prescriptions, papers, personal needs and priceless items.
• Check with your neighbors, family, friends and elders through video chats or phone calls to ensure they are READY.
• Keep up to date on local news, weather watches, weather warnings and public health recommendations

SET – Be Alert

• Know there is significant danger in your area.
• Residents should consider voluntarily relocating to a shelter or with family/friends outside the affected area. Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating.
• Grab your emergency go kit.
• Keep in mind unique needs for your family or special equipment for pets and livestock.
• Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety and public health officials.
• This might be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Be SET to GO.

GO! – Evacuate

• Danger in your area is imminent and life threatening.
• Residents should evacuate immediately to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area. Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating.
• If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand emergency services may not be able to assist you further.
• Follow instructions from emergency personnel, stay on designated evacuation routes and avoid closed areas.
• 5 P’s of Evacuation
  People and Pets and other animals/livestock and supplies.
• Prescriptions with dosages, medicines, medical equipment, vision and hearing aids, batteries and power cords, face coverings, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.
• Papers including important documents (hard copies and/or electronic copies saved on external hard drives or thumb drives), insurance papers, contacts.
• Personal Needs including clothing, water, baby supplies, food, cash, credit cards, first aid kits, phones, and chargers. Items for people with access and/or functional needs, such as older adults and children.
• Priceless items including photos, irreplaceable mementos and other valuables.