Slide Fire crews uncover historic cabin

Firefighters preparing to do burnout operations on the Slide Fire, north of Sedona, discovered the remains of a previously unidentified historic cabin. According to authorities, the cabin was discovered by Engine Boss Leo Holley and crewmembers from the Coronado National Forest.

Holley and his crew came upon the “historical small cabin, tucked away in a steep side canyon, and right away recognized the importance of this exciting find.”

Holley and his crew began to remove fuels and constructed a fire line and removed debris around the cabin to protect and preserve the cabin. They reinforced defense efforts with a layer of protective fabric that will help save it during burnout operations.

Coconino National Forest archaeologist Jeremy Haines salvaged an axe hewn log from the structure in order to send it to the Tree Ring laboratory at the University of Arizona to have it dated. Officials say that “this is just one more extraordinary effort firefighters have taken to preserve this piece of land we all hold dear.”