Pocket Fire — Latest News & Live Update
Yavapai County, AZ
FireRisk.ai · Updated July 31, 2026
✅ Containment up 5% — firefighters have secured more of the perimeter, meaning less of the fire edge can spread freely.
The Pocket Fire in Yavapai County, Arizona, remained essentially static as of July 27, holding at 27,393 acres with 95 percent containment and no change since the previous report. The fire was discovered on June 20, marking more than a month of active suppression across the incident.
With containment at 95 percent, crews have brought the fire to the threshold of control, holding and extending defensive lines across nearly the full perimeter. A single personnel assignment is listed on the incident, reflecting the Type 4 incident command structure managing the response. The fire's spread through short grass fuel—typically 1 foot in height—helped determine the pace of suppression once resources were deployed.
The Pocket Fire stands in a stable, late-stage posture. At 95 percent containment with no acreage growth in the latest reporting cycle, suppression efforts are nearing closure; without significant weather changes or fuel anomalies, the trajectory suggests continued tightening of the perimeter. Follow local authorities and official orders for evacuation or closure information.
FireRisk.ai covers active wildfire incidents and home fire risk using official NIFC, National Weather Service, and NASA FIRMS data. Briefings are generated automatically from verified official feeds and reviewed for accuracy.
Update timeline
The Pocket Fire in Yavapai County, Arizona, remained essentially static as of July 27, holding at 27,393 acres with 95 percent containment and no change since the previous report. The fire was discovered on June 20, marking more than a month of active suppression across the incident.
The Pocket Fire in Yavapai County, Arizona, remained essentially static as of July 27, holding at 27,393 acres with 95 percent containment and no change since the previous report. The fire was discovered on June 20, marking more than a month of active suppression across the incident.
The Pocket Fire in Yavapai County, Arizona, remained essentially static as of July 27, holding at 27,393 acres with 95 percent containment and no change since the previous report. The fire was discovered on June 20, marking more than a month of active suppression across the incident.
The Pocket Fire in Yavapai County, Arizona, remained essentially static as of July 27, holding at 27,393 acres with 95 percent containment and no change since the previous report. The fire was discovered on June 20, marking more than a month of active suppression across the incident.
The Pocket Fire in Yavapai County, Arizona, remained essentially static as of July 27, holding at 27,393 acres with 95 percent containment and no change since the previous report. The fire was discovered on June 20, marking more than a month of active suppression across the incident.
The Pocket Fire in Yavapai County, Arizona, has held steady at 27,393 acres with no growth reported since the last update, as containment remains locked at 95 percent. Discovered on June 20 and burning through short grass fuel, the fire is now in its final phase of control, with crews maintaining the perimeter across nearly the entire burned area.
The Pocket Fire in Yavapai County, Arizona, remains nearly contained at 95 percent as of July 25, with no change in acreage or containment progress reported since the last update. The fire, discovered June 20, has burned 27,393 acres and continues to hold at that size under Type 4 incident command with six personnel assigned.
The Pocket Fire in Yavapai County, Arizona, remains nearly contained as crews maintain a 95 percent perimeter line on the 27,393-acre burn. The fire, discovered on June 20, has shown no growth since the last report, holding its size while suppression efforts continue to lock down the final five percent of active edge.
Latest news — Pocket Fire
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Pocket Fire — current status questions
Is the Pocket Fire contained?
As of July 27, 2026, the Pocket Fire is 95% contained in Yavapai County, AZ. Containment means that percentage of the fire's perimeter has been secured by crews — the fire can still burn inside those lines. The fire is nearing control, though full containment and mop-up operations continue. Follow your local fire authority for evacuation status.
How big is the Pocket Fire?
As of July 27, 2026, the Pocket Fire has burned 27,393 acres in Yavapai County, AZ. Wildfire acreage is the estimated total area inside the fire perimeter — it is updated as aerial and ground crews assess the boundary and changes frequently on active fires. One acre is roughly the size of a football field; 42.8 square miles.
When did the Pocket Fire start?
The Pocket Fire was first reported on June 20, 2026 (37 days ago) in Yavapai County, AZ. The cause is still under investigation. The fire's discovery date is reported by the incident agency to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).
What caused the Pocket Fire?
The cause of the Pocket Fire is currently under investigation. Fire investigators from the responsible agency examine evidence at the point of origin before releasing a determination. This process can take days to weeks after a fire is reported. Check official incident channels for updates.
How many firefighters are working on the Pocket Fire?
As of July 27, 2026, 1 total personnel are assigned to the Pocket Fire according to NIFC. This figure includes all positions on the incident — engine crews, hand crews, dozers, aircraft, logistics, and incident management team members. Large fires typically involve resources from multiple agencies and can draw crews from across the country when local resources are stretched.
How much has the Pocket Fire cost so far?
The estimated cost to suppress the Pocket Fire is $65.3 million as of July 27, 2026, according to NIFC. Wildfire suppression costs include personnel, equipment, aircraft, and logistical support. Large fires often cost millions of dollars per day at peak operations, and total costs continue to accumulate until the fire is fully contained and crews demobilize.
Who is managing the Pocket Fire response?
The Pocket Fire is being managed by Type 4 IC. Wildfire incident management teams (IMTs) are classified by complexity (Type 1 being the most complex). They coordinate all suppression resources — crews, aircraft, equipment — and produce the official daily situation reports posted to InciWeb.
Wildfire questions — Pocket Fire area
Answers apply to all active wildfires; specifics use Pocket Fire data where available.
What does the containment percentage mean for the Pocket Fire?
Containment percentage is the share of the fire's perimeter that crews have physically secured — typically by cutting a firebreak or reaching a natural barrier like a road or river. A fire at 40% contained means 40% of the edge has a line that crews are confident will hold; the remaining 60% is still open. The fire can continue burning inside those lines even at high containment. Full containment (100%) means the entire perimeter is secured, though the fire may still smolder inside for weeks during mop-up.
How is wildfire acreage measured?
Wildfire acreage is the estimated total area enclosed within the fire's perimeter, not just the actively burning area. Crews and aircraft sketch the perimeter using GPS tracks, aerial infrared flights (typically flown at night), and satellite imagery. Because mapping lags the actual fire edge by hours to days, reported acreage is always an estimate — especially on a fast-moving fire. One square mile equals 640 acres; compare the acreage figure to the map perimeter for a sense of scale.
Is the smoke from the Pocket Fire dangerous to breathe?
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and other compounds that are harmful to breathe — especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with heart or lung conditions. When AQI (Air Quality Index) is in the "Unhealthy" range (151+), everyone should reduce outdoor activity. At "Very Unhealthy" (201+), stay indoors with windows closed, run an air purifier if you have one, and wear an N95 or KN95 mask if you must go outside. Check the air quality tab on this fire's page or airnow.gov for live AQI readings near you.
How far does smoke from a wildfire travel?
Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds to thousands of miles depending on wind patterns and fire size. Smoke from large western U.S. fires has been recorded as far east as the Atlantic coast. At ground level, heavy smoke concentrations are typically within 50–150 miles of the fire, but air quality impacts can extend much further at altitude. Smoke dispersal depends heavily on upper-level wind direction, humidity, and whether the fire is producing a large smoke column. Check the live smoke map for current plume extent.
What is the difference between an evacuation order and an evacuation warning?
An evacuation order means leave immediately — conditions pose an immediate threat to life. You should not wait to gather belongings. An evacuation warning means be ready to leave at a moment's notice; conditions are threatening but not yet at the leave-now stage. Some jurisdictions use a three-tier system adding an "evacuation advisory" as the lowest level (monitor conditions). Zone designations (A, B, C or color-coded) indicate which areas are affected. Always follow the instructions of your local sheriff or fire authority — these designations can change within minutes as fire conditions shift.
How do I find out if my address is in an evacuation zone for the Pocket Fire?
The most reliable sources are your county sheriff's office, local Office of Emergency Services, or state emergency management agency — they issue and update zone boundaries. Many counties now have online zone-lookup tools where you can type your address, and Genasys Protect (protect.genasys.com) covers much of the West. FireRisk.ai sweeps official evacuation feeds every 5 minutes and paints active zones on this fire's map where coverage exists. The evacuation tab on this fire's status page links to official county sources. If you're in a high-risk area and can't confirm your status, treat any warning as an order and leave.
What should I take if I have to evacuate because of the Pocket Fire?
Prepare a go-bag in advance with: medications (a week's supply), important documents (ID, insurance cards, passports) or a USB with digital copies, phone charger and backup battery, cash, three days of clothes, water and non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and pet supplies if applicable. If you have time before leaving: take photos of your home and valuables for insurance purposes, close all windows and doors, move outdoor furniture inside, turn off gas, and leave exterior lights on so the home is visible in smoke. Don't wait until the last moment — roads become dangerously congested when orders are issued.
How do I sign up for free wildfire alerts near the Pocket Fire?
Use the alert signup on this page to receive free email notifications when fires are reported near an address you choose, when Red Flag Warnings are issued for your area, or when a fire you're tracking significantly changes. You can also sign up for your county's emergency alert system (typically Wireless Emergency Alerts plus a county-specific opt-in) and follow your local sheriff on social media. No single source covers everything — use at least two.
Where can I find official updates directly from the Pocket Fire incident team?
The incident management team publishes daily situation reports and operational updates to InciWeb (inciweb.wildfire.gov) — the official federal wildfire incident information system. Look up the fire by name to find its dedicated incident page with press releases, closure maps, and contact information. Many incident teams also post to a dedicated Facebook page. Your county Office of Emergency Services is the primary source for evacuation and road closure information specific to your community.
How often is the data on this page updated?
The headline figures (acres, containment, personnel) are pulled live from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) WFIGS feed each time this page loads. NIFC data is typically updated once or twice daily by incident agencies — usually in the morning after overnight aerial mapping. The written daily briefing is regenerated automatically every few hours. For the most time-sensitive information during an active incident, check InciWeb and your local county emergency management office, as official reports there often appear before NIFC data is refreshed.
Does homeowners insurance cover wildfire damage?
Standard homeowners insurance (HO-3 policies) typically covers damage from wildfire under the "fire" peril, including the dwelling, other structures, and personal property. However, many insurers have been dropping coverage or non-renewing policies in high-risk California ZIP codes and other wildfire-prone areas. If your insurer dropped you, California's FAIR Plan (and similar state programs in other states) provides basic fire coverage as a last resort. After a wildfire, document all damage with photos before any cleanup, file your claim promptly, and keep receipts for additional living expenses — those are typically covered too. Check the policy's wildfire-specific exclusions and your coverage limits carefully.
How long does it take to fully contain a wildfire?
It depends almost entirely on size, terrain, fuel type, and weather. A small grass fire in flat terrain can be contained in hours. A large fire in steep, rugged terrain with dense chaparral or timber can take weeks or months — the 2020 August Complex in California took over two months and 1 million acres. Dry, windy conditions can undo days of progress overnight. Containment typically accelerates once temperatures drop and humidity rises. After full containment, mop-up operations (extinguishing hot spots, monitoring the perimeter) continue for weeks to prevent re-ignition.
What causes wildfires to spread rapidly?
The "fire triangle" of fuel, heat, and oxygen governs spread, but three conditions drive explosive growth: low relative humidity (below 15% makes fuels extremely receptive), high winds (spread flames ahead of the fire and loft embers — called spotting — that start new ignitions far ahead of the main fire), and steep terrain (fire races uphill because the slope pre-heats fuel above it). A fourth factor is drought-stressed or dead vegetation, which ignites and burns far more intensely than healthy plants. When all four conditions align — a dry spell, strong offshore or downslope wind event, cured grass or chaparral, and a spark — fires can grow from dozens to tens of thousands of acres in a single afternoon.
Pocket Fire — incident details
- Discovered
- June 20, 2026
- Cause
- Undetermined
- Personnel assigned
- 1
- Estimated cost to date
- $65.3M
Source: National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) WFIGS feed.
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Related
Sources
All figures on this page are sourced directly from official U.S. government and agency feeds. No proprietary or estimated data is used without clear labeling.
- National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) — WFIGS ↗
Live fire size, containment, personnel, cost, cause, and incident boundaries
- InciWeb — Incident Information System ↗
Official incident management team updates, press releases, and evacuation notices
- National Weather Service (NWS) ↗
Red Flag Warnings, evacuation-level weather alerts, and fire-weather forecasts
- NASA FIRMS — Fire Information for Resource Management ↗
Satellite-detected active fire hotspots (VIIRS/MODIS)
- AirNow / EPA ↗
Air Quality Index (AQI) and smoke concentration near the incident
- Open-Meteo ↗
Fire-weather forecast (temperature, relative humidity, wind gusts) for the incident area
Headline figures are pulled live from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) WFIGS feed and National Weather Service feed; the written briefing is generated automatically and is for awareness only — reported values lag real-time ground conditions. This is not an emergency service or official incident communication. In a wildfire emergency, call 911 and follow your local authorities and evacuation orders. Briefing last generated Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:02:05 GMT.