Pocket Fire contained, and the closure map pulls back
Trails reopen, Saddlerock asks for two more years, and Circle K breaks ground on 89A.
The Pocket Fire is 100% contained. It burned more than 27,000 acres near Sedona over the course of a month. Officials significantly reduced the closure area on July 30, which reopens ground that had been off limits most of the summer. The Coconino National Forest still lists a temporary area and trail closure tied to the fire, so check before you lace up. Fire danger in the Red Rock Ranger District sits at moderate right now. Flagstaff and Mogollon Rim are both low. Monsoon season carries its own hazards, and the forest is asking visitors to plan around them.
A $25,000 start on fire recovery money
The Greater Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau is putting money behind the recovery. It announced a new charitable foundation at its Economic Outlook and Leadership Forum on Friday, July 24, at L'Auberge de Sedona. The fund launched with a $25,000 donation aimed at Pocket Fire relief. That is seed money, not a fix, but it gives businesses hurt by the fire somewhere to point. Weeks of closures kept people off trails and out of shops that depend on trail traffic. A relief fund that exists before the next fire beats one scrambled together after.
Crews are finally moving on the west-side Circle K
Construction has officially begun on the new Circle K store and gas station. It sits at 2820 W. SR 89A, on the northeast corner with Southwest Drive. The project took a slow road to get here. Circle K requested a two-year extension in March to obtain its building permit. The permit was issued May 14, before the original June 6 deadline. Now there is actual equipment on the lot. Expect some shuffling on that stretch while crews work, and expect one more place to fill up on the west end of town.
Sky Rock turns its bar into a participation sport
Sky Rock Sedona has introduced Chakra Flight, an interactive tasting built around four miniature drinks inspired by the body's seven chakras. Guests choose between the Spirituous Path, with cocktails, and the Mindful Path, with zero-proof drinks. Both use the same presentation and ritual. The cocktail flight includes options from a Cherry Mule to a Coconut Martini. The alcohol-free version runs from a Cherry Ginger Fizz to Coconut Cream Soda. Arizona Foothills Magazine published the details July 27. The tasting can work before dinner, with friends, or after a day on Sedona's trails.
Saddlerock Crossing wants two more years
Baney Corporation is asking for more time before it builds. Its Village at Saddlerock Crossing project sits at 1259 State Route 89A, at the intersection with Soldier Pass Road. The company plans to request a two-year extension from the Sedona Planning and Zoning Commission to get building permits and start construction. That request is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, Aug. 4. If you drive that stretch of 89A, this is the difference between construction cones soon and a corner that stays as is. Anyone with an opinion about it has a place to bring it this afternoon.
Celebrate Sedona lands on the 21st
Put Friday, Aug. 21, on the calendar. Celebrate Sedona runs at the Sedona Arts Center starting at 4 p.m. The event is built around local and regional arts, food and drink, and it is aimed at the community rather than the tour crowd. Late August is when town starts to feel like itself again, and this is a decent marker for that turn. The afternoon start means you can go straight from work and still be home early. Details are at celebratesedona.org.