Daily Archives: July 28, 2016

Lightning-caused Coco Fire increases to 731

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TUSAYAN — The lightning-caused Coco Fire on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has grown to 731 acres in size achieving resource objectives by reducing hazardous fuel accumulations and restoring overall forest health.

Fire crews worked late the previous shift completing management ignitions along Forest Road 2719 in order to keep the fire within planning area boundaries and protect fire sensitive archaeological sites. Smoke from the management ignitions was transported west along Coconino Wash into the town of Tusayan resulting in moderate impacts in the early morning but will disperse throughout the day.

“We are very pleased with the fire progression and allowing fire to resume its role in the ecosystem. The natural mosaic of fire effects resulting from the fire growth enhances the heterogeneity and resilience of the forest” stated Incident Commander Dan Pearson.

The Arizona Trail remains open to hikers. As this lightning-caused fire continues to grow naturally, it is likely that smoke will remain visible from Highway 64, Grand Canyon National Park’s Desert View Drive, and other populated areas. The current forecast predicts light and variable winds over the Coco Fire for the next several days which may result in more variable smoke dispersion until moisture moves into Northern Arizona this weekend.

ADOT, Jared Veldheer partner to promote “Seat belts. For life.” campaign

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Consider that the safety gear worn by football players has the same purpose as a seat belt – help the wearer survive a violent collision.

So, it’s no surprise that the Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona Cardinals left tackle and Captain Jared Veldheer have partnered to promote the importance of wearing a seat belt with the Seat belts. For life. campaign. On Arizona roadways in 2015, there were 258 unrestrained occupant fatalities, which accounts for 29 percent of the people killed in traffic crashes that year. Lack of seat belt use is annually one of the leading factors in traffic deaths.

“I wouldn’t play football without wearing a helmet and shoulder pads, and I won’t drive my truck without wearing a seat belt,” Veldheer said. “Being safe is being smart.”

For the Seat belts. For life. campaign, two public service announcements were produced – “Strong Man” and “Safety Gear” – and each has a 30- and 15-second version. The PSAs can be viewed at azdot.gov, ADOT’s social media channels – Facebook, Twitter and YouTube – and will also appear on television during the fall, thanks to ADOT’s relationship with the Arizona Broadcasters Association.

ADOT is excited to partner with Veldheer and thanks him for volunteering his time for the Seat belts. For life. campaign. Working with the seven-year NFL pro on the subject of seat belts is a natural fit. His left tackle position protects the quarterback’s blind side the same way a seat belt provides security against the unknown for vehicle occupants. In the past five years on Arizona roadways, there have been 1,205 unrestrained occupant fatalities.

“Buckling a seat belt is the easiest thing to do when you get in a car,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Its sole purpose is to help you survive a crash. Let the seat belt do its job – buckle up.”

“More than one in 10 Arizonans don’t wear a seat belt,” added Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “Needless tragedies continue because people aren’t wearing a seat belt and parents need to make sure their children are properly restrained, too.”

Meetings kicking off I-11 corridor study draw big turnout

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PHOENIX — The numbers speak volumes about Arizona’s interest in the proposed Interstate 11: Six public meetings held recently attracted 540 community members who shared comments and questions. Hundreds more offered their perspectives online.
800-i-11-NAFTA
The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Interstate 11 study team visited Casa Grande, Buckeye, Nogales, Tucson, Marana and Wickenburg to involve the community in a process known as public scoping, part of an environmental study to select a corridor alternative between Nogales and Wickenburg.

That had ADOT representatives answering questions, receiving feedback, and encouraging attendees to mark suggestions and concerns on maps of the 280-mile-long corridor study area.

“We’re excited about the high level of interest and engagement that we’ve seen,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “The great turnout and the opportunity for the public to tell us what’s important to them are critical to this process.”

No specific routes for I-11 have been chosen or favored at this early stage in the process. ADOT’s goal is having a selected corridor alternative in place at the end of the environmental study. A no-build alternative will be considered as well.

The next formal public involvement opportunity will begin early next year, when the study team will present possible routes for I-11.

In addition to those who attended the June meetings, 125 people submitted comment forms or surveys and 522 people completed an online survey during a 45-day comment period.

The study team, which also held scoping meetings in Phoenix, Casa Grande and Tucson with representatives of 21 federal, state and local agencies, will now analyze the feedback.

Anyone interested in sharing their views about the study can do so at any time throughout the study process. Information and materials, including a map of the corridor study area, are available at i11study.com/Arizona.

Comments can be provided via mail, email and voicemail:

Email: I-11ADOTStudy@hdrinc.com
Toll-free bilingual telephone hotline: 1-844-544-8049
Mail:

Interstate 11 Tier 1 EIS Study Team
c/o ADOT Communications
1655 W. Jackson St., Mail Drop 126F
Phoenix, AZ 85007