Monthly Archives: June 2016

Wildcat fire grows considerably

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FREDONIA — The lightning-caused Wildcat Fire discovered Monday became more active this afternoon and rapidly grew to an estimated 2,000-acres on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Yesterday it was at 72-acres and 50% contained.

The fire is located South of Highway 89A and southwest of the Forest Road 8910 and 211 junction within the vicinity of the South Canyon trailhead in Saddle Mountain Wilderness. The fire is currently burning in a northeast direction from the House Rock Buffalo Ranch.

The fire is currently burning in a wilderness area and there are no reports of danger to structures or evacuations.

ADEQ Announces Reduced Vehicle Emissions Test Fees for Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area Motorists

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PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced yesterday motorists whose vehicles are registered in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, including Maricopa County and portions of Pinal and Yavapai Counties, known as “Area A,” will save $3.00 per vehicle for emissions testing fees, effective July 1, 2016.

ADEQ estimates that these fee reductions, representing approximately 1.2 million tests, will save vehicle owners about $3.7 million annually. All “Area A” vehicle emissions inspection fees will be reduced by $3.00.

“ADEQ continuously looks for ways to improve its vehicle emissions testing program,” said ADEQ Air Quality Division Director Timothy Franquist. “The State legislature’s passage of House Bill 2702 will reduce fees and more equitably cover ADEQ program costs.”

Beginning in 2014, ADEQ voluntarily lowered vehicle emissions inspection fees by more than 25 percent for more than one million tests in the Phoenix metropolitan area, which resulted in a savings to vehicle owners of about $8.2 million.

ADEQ supports a stepwise approach to reducing vehicle emissions testing fees as a prudent approach to balancing fees with service costs. The approach ensures program resource needs are met and minimizes reversing fee reductions at a later date.

ADEQ also instituted a Gas Cap Distribution Program in Maricopa and Pima counties, which provides vehicle owners with a new gas cap, free of charge, if their gas cap fails emissions inspection. This eliminates the need for the owner to leave, buy a new gas cap and return to retest, and immediately eliminates the release of gasoline vapors into the environment. If the testing station doesn’t have the gas cap size needed, motorists are offered a $5 prepaid card to help cover the cost of a new cap. Since its inception in 2014, ADEQ and its contractor have provided more than 91,000 gas caps and prepaid cards to Arizona motorists.

ADEQ is committed to better, faster, cheaper services by providing more service for less cost to customers applying Lean principles of continuous improvement and elimination of waste.

Please visit the following online resources for more information about ADEQ and vehicle emissions inspection and testing:

ADEQ

http://www.azdeq.gov/

ADEQ Vehicle Emissions Inspection

http://www.azdeq.gov/programs/air-quality-programs/vehicle-emissions-inspection-vei

myAZcar.com

http://www.myazcar.com/

Film production on Loop 303 to continue through early Saturday

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PHOENIX — Loop 303 will remain closed west of Interstate 17 through 3 a.m. Saturday as production of a motion picture continues.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is allowing Paramount Pictures additional time to film “Transformers 5: The Last Knight” between I-17 and Lake Pleasant Parkway in the north Valley. Traffic through this area is detouring east- and westbound on State Route 74.

While Loop 303 is closed between I-17 and Lake Pleasant Parkway:

• I-17 drivers can use westbound SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway to reach westbound/southbound Loop 303.
• Eastbound Loop 303 drivers can exit at Lake Pleasant Parkway and travel north to eastbound SR 74 to connect with I-17.

The production has had 300 people at locations in Arizona for nearly three weeks, boosting the economy through meals, lodging, fuel purchases and more. It has hired local companies for a variety of services, including equipment rental, transportation and construction.

ADOT regularly issues permits at no cost to film within highway right of way. The agency’s requirements for film permits safeguard taxpayer dollars and the taxpayers’ investment in state highways. This includes making sure there is no cost to the state.

Arizona Highways goes wild: New wildlife guidebook now available

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800wildlifeguide-blog-gilawoodpckr_original PHOENIX — As Arizona’s summer travel season begins, residents and visitors will take to the outdoors and, with a little research and a keen eye, catch glimpses of the wildlife that calls this state home.

Arizona Highways Wildlife Guide, available now at ArizonaHighways.com, documents 125 native species in full-color photography with informative descriptions. The guide features Arizona’s most frequently viewed mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians and fish, all shown through photographs from Arizona Highways contributors. It’s a resource for any outdoor enthusiast who spends time hiking, fishing, camping and exploring Arizona’s natural beauty.

The wildlife guide is authored by Brooke Bessesen, an Arizona-based naturalist who travels worldwide to study animals in their habitats.

It will be available at Costco, Barnes & Noble, Changing Hands Bookstore and Amazon.com on June 30.

Published since 1925, Arizona Highways magazine has subscribers in all 50 states and more than 100 countries, and is regarded around the world as the leading authority on Arizona travel. In addition to the wildlife guidebook, Arizona Highways publishes guidebooks on hiking, camping, fishing and photography, along with a number of coffee table books. Arizona Highways magazine is a publication of the Arizona Department of Transportation.

For more information on Arizona Highways magazine, or to purchase a subscription or a book, visit ArizonaHighways.com.

Two road workers hit and killed this month on state highways

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worker-safety-sign_originalPHOENIX — In the past 10 days, two people working on state highways have been hit and killed by vehicles. These unnecessary and avoidable tragedies illustrate the need for drivers to pay attention in work zones and to give a safe margin of space to vehicles with flashing lights, such as tow trucks and emergency responders.

To remind drivers of the importance of paying attention to their surroundings, ADOT will display the following message this week on overhead signs statewide:

2 ROAD WORKERS
KILLED THIS MONTH
DRIVE ALERT

When traveling in work zones, drivers should expect the unexpected, as normal speed limits may be reduced and people may be working in the road. They also should slow down, keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and pay attention. Minimizing distractions could save a life.

Not only is it a safe practice to give space to emergency response vehicles, such as ambulances, fire trucks, tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles, it’s also the law. Arizona’s “Move Over” law requires motorists to move over one lane – or slow down if it is not safe to change lanes – when driving by any vehicle with flashing lights pulled to the side of the roadway.

Early Monday morning, a passenger car struck and killed an employee of a contractor working on an ADOT project as he removed barricades from Loop 101 Pima Freeway in Scottsdale. Earlier this month, a box truck hit and killed a tow company driver responding to a stalled vehicle on Interstate 10 near Benson.

Arizona Wins EPA’s Air Quality Flag Program Challenge

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PHOENIX — Arizona schools won the EPA’s Spring Air Quality Flag Program Challenge to protect people’s health. Schools state-wide are raising brightly colored flags to help students and members of the community be aware of daily air quality conditions. The colored flags correspond to the Air Quality Index to inform community members about air quality forecasts so they can take steps to protect their health.

The Spring Challenge aimed to increase the number of participating schools and organizations and raise awareness about the Air Quality Index colors and associated health messages.

“We applaud Arizona for enrolling 63 new schools in the Flag Program and winning the nationwide challenge,” said Alexis Strauss, EPA’s Acting Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “These flags give community members information to make smart choices about their outdoor activity levels.”

“As one of the first schools in Arizona to participate in the Air Quality Flag Program and now going on nearly a decade, our K-8 students have learned how air quality affects their daily activities and lives from the color of the flag and what they can do to protect themselves from poor air quality,” said Annette Heasman, Registered Nurse, P.L. Julian School, Phoenix, Arizona.

“Having served as the model for EPA’s nationwide Air Quality Flag Program, Arizona is proud to continue to be a leader in this effective voluntary public health program, which makes a difference in the lives of some our most vulnerable children and adults,” said ADEQ Air Quality Division Director Timothy Franquist.

Each day a flag is hoisted above schools, or other community sites, that participate. In the school setting, recess and physical education are sometimes held indoors on days with particularly poor air quality, especially for sensitive populations, like children with severe asthma. The program also contains an environmental education component with teacher lesson plans about air pollution, and the science behind air monitoring technology.

Our daily lives are affected by local air quality, which can change from day to day, season to season, and even vary depending on the time of day. The EPA’s Air Quality Index provides information about the health effects of common air pollutants, and how to avoid those effects. The flags alert people to that particular day’s air quality, so they know when to modify their outdoor activities.

“As participation in Arizona’s Flag Program continues to grow, we are hopeful that community awareness too will increase and positively impact both children’s and public health,” said ADEQ Children’s Health Program Lead Julie Finke. “Our success in Arizona is due to our community’s ongoing commitment and the tireless promotion work of our partners and local coordinators, whom we recognize and thank for their participation and efforts.”

Getting up-to-date air quality information is easy by subscribing at www.enviroflash.info or downloading the AirNow app. You can get the daily air quality forecast sent to your email, cell phone or Twitter. This is especially helpful for those who are sensitive to the effects of air pollution, such as children, adults who are active outdoors, people with heart and lung disease, and older adults.

For more information on the Air Quality Flag Program visit EPA’s AirNow website at www.airnow.gov/flag.

For more information about the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality program, please visit: http://www.azdeq.gov/node/603.

Happy Flag Day

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729px-1885_History_of_US_flags_medHappy Flag Day! This is the day that Americans across the country post the United States flag. Streets are lined with old Glory. Americans started celebrating Flag Week on Sunday.

I forgot. In this day of political correct common core, they probably don’t teach this in school. Title 36 of the United States Code (PDF) covers all Patriotic Observances. Flag Day is covered in Section 110 of the code. The observance commemorates the adoption of the first United States flag on June 14, 1777. National Flag Week is covered under Section 122, of Title 36, and is the week in which June 14 occurs.

There is more. There is Honor America Days. This is covered in Section 112 of Title 36. Honor America Days is the 21-days from Flag Day until July 4 in which,

Congress declares that there be public gatherings and activities during that period at which the people of the United States can celebrate and honor their country in an appropriate way.

I can only find one city that has events celebrating Honor America Days, though they conduct their celebration a couple of weeks after. Rome, New York (Facebook) has an Honor America Days parade on July 30. Although they do have a Patriotic 5/10K run during the 21-day period.

Another little know fact is that Independence was declared on July 2, not July 4. The declaration was issued to the public two-days after the vote taken by Congress to be read and declared publicly. John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3,

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

A visit to the Grand Canyon Deer Farm

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WILLIAMS — In March I got a chance to visit the Grand Canyon Deer Farm. It was the first visit I have made to the Deer Farm petting zoo that I made since coming to Williams. For nearly 50-years, the family owned business—owned by Pat and Randy George—has welcomed visitors to Williams and the Grand Canyon.

The petting zoo is an amazing collection of animals from around the world. Before entering you can purchase some food to feed the animals.
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When you enter you are greeted by the friendly cockatoo Mozart. Next is the cute Marmosets native to South America, but some have been spotted as far north as Mexico.
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Next you can meet with Pokeahanus and Qullian the African porcupines. They have two Bison , Mary Ann and Ginger, who came to the zoo in 2008. Gracie the Camel also arrived at the petting zoo at 3 months old. She loves to greet visitors. You can see Llamas, Zebu miniature cattle, Zonky—the half-Zebra, half-Donkey—pigs, goats and a variety of other animals.
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Of course the feature is the deer. You can see Cupid and Vixen; the only two reindeer in Arizona. They have a Mule Deer named Gillian who is a rescue. While they do not normally rescue animals, the Arizona Game and Fish department asked them to take care of this Stormy Rocky Mountain Elk.
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When you bring food into the main area, you will be greeted by the deer to get feed. Surrounded is more like it. The deer are European Fallow deer and Japanese Sika Deer. They like to find out what is in your food bucket and your pocket. Don’t worry, though. Friendly staff members are available to keep them under control.

Staff member, Amy Kravitz, said, “They are really good at picking pockets. I have retrieved several dollar bills from their mouths.” She also recommends long pants and close-toed shoes.
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The gift shop, run by Mary, is stocked with a variety of gifts and souvenirs that you will find no where else in Williams. The Grand Canyon Deer Farm is open seven-days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer months. During the winter they are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The Grand Canyon Deer Farm offers a new interaction program where you can go in with the Kodamundee, wallabees and other animals for a separate cost of $20. They also offer a Junior Zoo Keeper program which lasts about 3 hours for ages 8 to 15. General admission is $11.50 for adults, $10.00 for seniors, and $6.75 for kids 3 to 6. A family membership is $85.

If you are planning to visit Williams anytime during the year, this is one place you have to visit.

Sheriff Department Woods Watch training Wednesday June 15

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Department will be holding a Woods Watch Training on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 from 6-8 pm at the Law Enforcement Administrative Facility, 911 E. Sawmill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

Please remember that to continue as a Woods Watch Participant, we need you to attend / renew this training annually and complete an updated application / waiver form.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP at 928-226-5012 or sheriff@coconino.az.gov

Concerns about dry conditions, wind, and the impending Wildland Fire Season are on the minds of many community members in our cities and unincorporated areas of Coconino County. Community members can help keep our communities safe through a partnership with government and public safety agencies by volunteering for the Woods Watch Program.

To sign up, community members need to attend an approximately 2-hour training and complete a simple application process. The training and application need to be completed / renewed annually to ensure all information is current.

The Woods Watch Program is similar to Neighborhood Watch and is of vital importance in residential areas that interface with forested land. Volunteers are trained to assist local officials in watching for and properly reporting people accessing closed areas or people who are using fire carelessly or against fire restrictions, especially on forested lands. Community volunteers make a commitment to join local law enforcement officers to keep our communities and our forests beautiful, safe and free of wild land fires.

Each year over 100 volunteers have attended Woods Watch training and assist by being good witnesses to suspicious activity occurring on or near our forested lands and communities. This first class of this year will be held on June 15, 2016 at 6:00 pm in the Law Enforcement Administrative Facility Auditorium at 911 E. Sawmill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ. Please register by calling (928) 226-5012 to help us plan accordingly.

Surface treatment to begin on SR 64 south of Valle

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VALLE — Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) crews will be applying surface treatment on an 8-mile segment of State Route 64 just south of Valle (milepost 205 to 213) during daylight hours on Wednesday (June 15) through Friday (June 17). During construction the roadway will be reduced to one lane of traffic with a pilot car escort to allow for alternating travel through the work zone.

Delays to the Grand Canyon can be anticipated during construction. ADOT advises travelers to allow for extra time for travel in the area, and to watch for crews and equipment in the work zone.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned roadway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule.