Residents of Oak Creek, situated east of Arizona State Route 179, are advised to be in “set” status and prepared for possible evacuation.
In Sedona, Arizona, officials from the Coconino National Forest recommend that those in the area east of Oak Creek move away due to the emergence of new wildfires.
The fire is currently estimated to cover about 55 acres, with smoke visible to nearby communities and drivers on the interstate.
Firefighters announced that by Friday morning, the fire had been fully contained.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Oak Creek residents, located to the east of Route 179, are not facing an immediate threat to structures.
As of August 14, officials stated the fire was “fully boxed” thanks to aerial fire retardant efforts.
This fire was first detected around noon on Wednesday, approximately six miles southeast of Sedona.
Two elite firefighting crews are actively engaged in suppressing the flames.
The investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, and forest officials have deployed helicopters and air tankers to assist in containment efforts.
Residents in Oak Creek, particularly those in areas like Jacks Canyon Road and Pine Valley, received a message from YCSO urging caution due to nearby wildfires, indicating they should be ready to evacuate quickly.
“The Valley” is a local term referring to the Phoenix metropolitan area, recognized as the largest urban area in the southwest.
This region includes significant cities apart from Phoenix, such as:
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Glendale
- Surprise
- Peoria
- Gilbert
- El Mirage
- Avondale
- Litchfield Park
- Goodyear
- Buckeye
Whether a city is classified as “East Valley” or “West Valley” generally depends on its connection to Phoenix.
The 2020 US Census reported that the metropolitan area’s population stands at 4,845,832, making it the 11th largest in the nation, just behind Boston and Atlanta.
Maricopa County’s Size
According to the same census, Maricopa County ranks as the fourth largest county in the United States by population, with 4,485,414 residents.
This county accounts for approximately 63% of Arizona’s population while covering 9,224 square miles, which is larger than seven US states.
Maricopa County also features one of the largest park systems in the nation, boasting around 120,000 acres of open space parks, trails, a nature center, and campsites.
Phoenix serves as the county seat and is the state capital, recognized as the fifth most populous city in the US.
The county derives its name from the Maricopa, or Pipashu, Native American tribe.
