Flagstaff and Williams received their predicted rainfall this afternoon. Rain, however, was heaviest along the I-40 corridor between Bellemont and Parks Road.
More rain is predicted tomorrow. The forecast there after is mostly sunny with some clouds through next weekend.
Bill Williams mountain from I-40.
FLAGSTAFF— Flagstaff today received a graphic demonstration climate change. While the Sun brightened up the San Francisco Peaks, it rained in Flagstaff proper.
A few lightning strikes were noticed, and this storm front appears to be moving towards Williams.
WILLIAMS — The Route 66 Street Market still growing despite the wet weather which threatens it. While we still have a rather high chance of rain, the rain seems to be holding off until the evening and night hours.
The Route 66 Street Market is located on the west end of town across the street from the Williams Memorial Park. The Market benefits the scholarship efforts of the Williams Kiwanis Club.
There remains a 40% chance of rain today dropping to 20% tonight. There is a 30% chance tomorrow during the day dropping to 10% Sunday night. The good news for drenched Williams is that the long range forecast through the week shows mostly clear and sunny through next Wild West Weekend.
The Wild West Weekend activities run June 19th and 20th and the Route 66 Swap Meet will be open and waiting for you.
WILLIAMS — Managers of both the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona were recently recognized for the leadership role they’ve played in managing wildland fire across the landscape and jurisdictional boundaries for the purpose of improving forest health conditions.
From the Kaibab National Forest, former Forest Supervisor Mike Williams, North Kaibab District Ranger Randall Walker, Tusayan District Ranger James Simino, and Williams District Ranger Danelle D. Harrison were honored with the “Excellence in Line Officer Commitment to Restoration of Fire Adapted Ecosystems” award by the Forest Service National Line Officers Team. The group award recognizes the efforts made by the leadership of the Kaibab National Forest in the restoration of forest ecosystems through the use of a variety of tools including wildfire, prescribed fire, and manual and mechanical fuel treatments.
“This group award represents well-deserved, national-level recognition of the significant work accomplished on a landscape scale by these line officers and by all the employees of the Kaibab National Forest,” said Art Gonzales, fire staff officer for the Kaibab. “These individuals have provided an unwavering level of support that has allowed the Kaibab National Forest and its employees to be national leaders in restoring fire-adapted ecosystems.”
In 2014, the Kaibab National Forest treated almost 29,000 acres with wildfire managed to achieve resource objectives, including the approximately 11,000-acre Sitgreaves Complex Fire that was active for two months in an area extremely visible by local communities and members of the visiting public. Of particular note, the Kaibab’s average cost per acre of wildfires managed to benefit forest resources was about $133 per acre, versus the average cost of $2,500 per acre for wildfire with a full suppression strategy. The forest also treated thousands of additional acres with prescribed fire and various vegetation treatments.
From Grand Canyon National Park, Superintendent Dave Uberuaga was the recipient of the “Superintendent Fire Management Achievement Award” from the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service. The award is given annually to an Intermountain Region park superintendent who actively supports and is fully engaged with their unit’s fire management program.
“Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most complex programs within the agency both in terms of park and fire management,” read the letter to Uberuaga announcing his selection for the award. “The park has recognized that wildland fire is an integral part of the landscape. … Without your leadership the 2014 fire season would not have been as successful as it was.”
During the 2014 season, the park managed both the Kanabownits and Galahad fires over an extended period of time and had identified large planning areas for the potential expansion of the fires. Also noted in the award citation were Grand Canyon National Park’s mechanical and prescribed fire applications used to manage vegetation, and the Slopes Prescribed Fire project on the North Rim that was highlighted for its role in enhancing the park’s ability to better manage large fires in mixed conifer fuels in the future.
“Dave is very deserving of this recognition,” said Jay Lusher, chief of fire and aviation for Grand Canyon National Park. “He takes a hands-on approach with our fire program by making the time to interact and engage with crews on the ground during fire operations. To me, this instills confidence and camaraderie and allows for shared vision and purpose as we implement projects.”
Not only do Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park share borders both north and south of the canyon, but the managers of each share a commitment to restoring fire-adapted ecosystems on a landscape scale and providing the leadership necessary to accomplish that important work.
The forest and park work together daily across jurisdictional boundaries on a variety of projects and even share a fire management organization on the north side. The North Zone Fire Management organization includes personnel from both the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
“Managing fire on a landscape scale and across administrative boundaries is key to building resiliency throughout the ecosystem,” said North Kaibab District Ranger Randall Walker, who was one of the recipients of the Forest Service award. “Together, we can maintain and build resilient landscapes; help protect the public, nearby communities and important infrastructure; and create a safe, effective and appropriate response to wildfire.”
WINSLOW — The Arizona Department of Transportation will begin a road improvement project on Monday, June 15 to resurface eight-teen miles of Interstate 40 through the city of Winslow (milepost 250-268).
The $9.3 million project will include removing and replacing the existing asphalt eastbound and westbound, removing and replacing the State Route 87 bridge deck, which crosses I-40, and installing new guardrail. The majority of the paving on the project is anticipated to be completed by late September. The bridge deck replacement will be completed late December. The final finishing layer of asphalt may need to be completed next spring 2016.
During paving operations the following interchanges on I-40 will be affected; Hipkoe Drive, North Park Drive, Transcon Lane and State Route 87. Workers will work on one interchange at a time. Motorists will need to travel to the next interchange, east or west of the one being worked on, to exit or enter the interstate. During construction of the SR 87 bridge deck, north bound traffic will remain open during the entire project while southbound traffic will be diverted to the Transcon interchange.
Work hours will be 2 a.m. to sunset Monday through Friday. There will be narrow traffic lanes, wide load restrictions and a reduced speed limit through the work zones. Drivers are asked to use caution, watch for detour signs and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.