A wildfire growing in Sycamore Canyon 20 miles northwest of Sedona was burning across 700 acres Monday, Aug. 17, adding 50 acres to the burn area since 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, the U.S. Forest Service reported. The blaze was 0 percent contained as of 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon.

Thick, acrid smoke from the Taylor Fire settled into Sedona overnight Sunday and during the early morning hours Monday, but rising temperatures and a stiff breeze cleared the air in Uptown and West Sedona by noon. The smoke was expected to descend on the city again Tuesday morning due to cooler overnight temperatures.

First sighted 6 a.m. Sunday, the fire made substantial gains Monday. Firefighters saw flames shoot 100 feet into the air in spots, USFS reported.

At least 110 firefighters, including hotshot crews from Prescott and Blue Ridge, were on site to battle the blaze, using three helicopters, two engines, one dozer and one water tender. Rugged terrain, however, kept crews from fighting the fire except by air.

“Control of the fire within the wilderness area will be difficult due to extreme and dangerous terrain,” a USFS spokeswoman stated. “Many opportunities for control of the fire will present themselves on top of Sycamore Canyon and out of the wilderness.”

Seven additional hotshot crews and 10 more regular crews have been ordered and will arrive Monday night, USFS reported.

No injuries were reported and no structures were threatened, but electricity carried by a large power line located inside the fire area was rerouted as a precaution to head off outages.

The cause of the fire is unknown. It is actively burning in Ponderosa pine, bug-kill trees, pinon, juniper and brush oak. During the past 24 hours, the fire lit up forest canopy for short periods in scattered locations, USFS reported.

Many forest service roads in the area are closed, or are in the process of being closed, including Forest Roads 535, 231, and 538. All trailheads leading into the southeastern portion of Sycamore Canyon have also been closed due to the fire danger.

“Area closures will impact hunting season in the fire area,” USFS stated.

Weather conditions did not favor firefighting efforts. Winds were 10 to 20 mph out of the southwest, with peak gusts of 30 mph. Relative humidity was 15 percent and temperatures fluctuated between 74 and 86 degrees during the day Monday.

[Editor’s Note: This story was updated as of 4:50 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17]