Just before 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon, hikers in the Bear Mountain area of Sedona reported a possible plane crash and fire. Four fatalities have been reported.
Crews from the Sedona Fire District and United States Forest Service (USFS) arrived to assess and begin working the Fay Fire. Initial attempts to locate a downed plane were unsuccessful, even by flyover, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
Just after 6:00 p.m., fire crews on the ground located the downed single engine plane in Fay Canyon, just northeast of Bear Mountain. Access to the crash site is difficult due to the terrain and fire.
The fire is located approximately 4 miles northwest of Sedona in the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness area of Fay Canyon.
The fire’s progression to the north and west is slow and the most active parts of the fire remain in the south and east sections. Smoke is moving in a northwest direction and combining with smoke from the Willard Fire — a fire between Oak Creek Canyon and I-17 being managed by the Forest Service.
Smoke from both fires is visible from Sedona, Flagstaff, surrounding communities and people driving on I-17, State Routes 89, 89A and 179.
Size: Approximately 25 acres.
Containment: 0%
Location: Originated in Fay Canyon, approximately 4 miles northwest of Sedona.
Date Reported: Sunday, July 20 at 3:41 p.m.
Fuels: Pinyon-juniper, heavy brush and mixed conifer.
Resources Currently on Scene: Approximately 30 personnel including two helicopters, two engines, one fuels crew and Sedona Fire.
Resources Planned for Tomorrow: One hotshot crew and three helicopters.
Closures: Fay Canyon Trailhead is closed at this time.
Evacuations: None.
Structures Threatened: None.
Injuries Reported: None.