We may see less smoke from the Platypus and Rhino Fires in the coming days. Coconino National Forest fire crews finished the majority of the burnout operations on both fires northwest of Sedona, which was originally expected to take all week. Officials say the burnout operations were a significant part of the suppression strategy. With this work completed, the public hopefully see smoke decrease as the week goes on. Officials say the fires, which combined on Friday, will continue to be active in several areas and some smoke will still be noticeable in Sedona and the Verde Valley and Flagstaff. Together the fires have charred over 5,500-acres; they’ve been burning since late July.
