Single Publication

SEDONA, Ariz., July 21, 2022 – The Committee Fire, located east of Sedona, is now 14 percent contained and 281 acres.

Outflow winds from thunderstorms in the area caused a slight uptick in activity Wednesday night on the northwest and eastern parts of the fire.

On Wednesday, crews established containment line on the northeast corner of the fire. Crews plan to spend Thursday working on the north, southeast and west perimeter of the fire.

There are certain areas of the Committee Fire’s perimeter that will remain unstaffed. Steep canyon edges and unstable bluffs mean firefighting crews cannot be safely inserted into certain areas of the fire’s perimeter. Aerial resources will continue to aid in firefighting efforts in the areas it is unsafe to send ground crews.

There is a 10 percent chance of rain both Thursday and Thursday night with light winds and gusts up to 15 miles per hour.

Current resources assigned to the Committee Fire include two Hotshot crews, three engines, one fuels crew, two Type 1 helicopters, one type 2 helicopter, one Type 3 helicopter, air attack, and miscellaneous overhead. Additional resources have been ordered.

Individuals are asked to refrain from flying drones anywhere around the fire's perimeter due to the large number of aerial resources working on the Committee Fire.

If drones are present, all forest aircraft must be grounded, which hinders firefighting efforts. Smoke will continue to be visible from the Sedona area.

No structures are threatened due to the Committee Fire at this time. 

An updated 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, July 15, and was likely caused by lightning.