Sedona AZ (July 26, 2014) – FINAL UPDATE – The Fay Fire caused by a single-engine aircraft crash northwest of Sedona is 100% contained. The Bear Mountain Trail is open. Fay Canyon Trail remains closed, and will be reassessed next week. Final size: 40 acres.
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Sedona AZ (July 24, 2014) – The Yavapai County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identifies of 4 individuals killed in the plane crash near Sedona this past Sunday, July 20, 2014.
- Jonathan McGeary , 22, from Flagstaff, Arizona – Indicated as the pilot
- Levi Wallace, 23, from Prescott, Arizona
- Johanna Naber, 18, from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan (Canada)
- Sabrina Giebelen, 19, from Krefeld, Germany
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Sedona AZ (July 21, 2014) – UPDATE – 5pm – The Fay Fire, reported just before 4 p.m. yesterday, is located approximately 4 miles northwest of Sedona in the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness area of Fay Canyon.
Firefighters were able to conduct a reconnaissance flight over the fire at about 4 p.m. today and report the size to be approximately the same, if not a couple of acres larger. The fire produced several spot fires on top of the rim of Fay Canyon, which were attended to by a heli-tanker, and a hotshot crew will remain on sight through the night to monitor the fire’s status.
- Size: Approximately 25-30 acres.
- Containment: 0%
- Location: Originated in Fay Canyon, approximately 4 miles northwest of Sedona.
- Date Reported: Sunday, July 20 at 3:41 p.m.
- Cause: Single engine aircraft crash. Four fatalities have been reported. The Forest Service does not have any details in regards to reasons why the aircraft went down or what type of aircraft it was. As of 10:30 AM, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office was working with DPS Ranger on the removal of crash victims. Due to the rough terrain, the victims were airlifted to a safe zone pending ground transportation to the Medical Examiner’s Office. The identities of the victims has not been released. NTSB officials are on scene to begin their investigation.
- Fuels: Pinyon-juniper, heavy brush and mixed conifer.
- Resources Currently on Scene: Approximately 30 personnel including one Hotshot crew, two helicopters, air attack and several cooperating agencies.
- Closures: Fay Canyon Trailhead and Bear Mountain Trailhead are both closed at this time.
- Evacuations: None.
- Structures Threatened: None.
- Injuries Reported: None.
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Sedona AZ (July 21, 2014) – UPDATE – 9am – The Fay Fire, reported just before 4 p.m. yesterday, is located approximately 4 miles northwest of Sedona in the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness area of Fay Canyon.
The fire is burning in a wilderness area that is comprised of many canyons, cliffs and buttes, which is challenging terrain since there are no roads or direct trails to the crash site. Firefighters and partner agency personnel are on foot and en route to the crash site this morning. The fire has a slow to moderate progression and will likely produce a lesser amount of smoke today compared to yesterday.
- 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.
- Cause: Single engine aircraft crash. Four fatalities have been reported. The Forest Service does not have any details in regards to reasons why the aircraft went down or what type of aircraft it was.
- Fuels: Pinyon-juniper, heavy brush and mixed conifer.
- Resources Currently on Scene: Approximately 30 personnel including one Hotshot crew, one helicopter, air attack and several cooperating agencies.
- Closures: Fay Canyon Trailhead and Bear Mountain Trailhead are both closed at this time.
- Evacuations: None.
- Structures Threatened: None.
- Injuries Reported: None.
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Sedona AZ (July 20, 2014) – UPDATE – 7pm – The Fay Fire, reported just before 4 p.m. today, 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 for resource purposes. 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.
- Cause: Single engine aircraft crash. Four fatalities have been reported. The Forest Service does not have any details in regards to reasons why the aircraft went down or what type of aircraft it was.
- 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.
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Sedona AZ (July 20, 2014) – PRELIMINARY INFORMATION – Just before 4 PM this afternoon, hikers in the Bear Mountain area of Sedona reported a possible plane crash and fire. Crews from the Sedona Fire District and United States Forest Service (USFS) arrived to assess and begin working the fire. Initial attempts to locate a downed plane were unsuccessful, even by flyover. Witnesses believe the fire resulted from the plane crash although they did not have a line of sight view.
Just after 6PM, fire crews on the ground located a downed single engine plane with 4 fatalities in Fay Canyon, N/E of Bear Mountain. Access to the crash site is currently difficult due to the terrain and fire.
The NTSB / FAA have been notified regarding the plane crash.
Forest Service crews continue working the fire. There have been no evacuations at this time.
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Sedona AZ (July 20, 2014) – Firefighters are responding to the Fay Fire reported today before 4 p.m., located approximately 4 miles northwest of Sedona in the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness area of Fay Canyon.
Multiple firefighting units are responding and have been ordered, including four Hotshot crews, three engines, two helicopters, an air attack unit and Sedona Fire.
The fire is currently moving to the north and smoke is following the same path as the Willard Fire, which is currently being managed for resource purposes, so smoke will be visible to people driving on I-17 and in surrounding areas such as Williams, Flagstaff and Sedona.
Cause of the Fay Fire is unknown at this time.