Daily Archives: June 11, 2017

Boundry fire burns over 4000 acres

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FLAGSTAFF – The lightning-caused Boundry Fire is currently 4,420-acres and continues to keep Highway 180 from Flagstaff closed. The fire is burning in the Kendrick Mountain 17-miles northwest of Flagstaff.

Fire suppression activities for today include ongoing improvement of containment lines in preparation for the strong winds forecasted over the next several days. Indirect suppression tactics and safety precautions continue to shape operational plans. Over 260 firefighters are fighting the blaze.

The wildfire is burning in heavy dead and down trees and forest debris left from the Pumpkin Fire of 2000 and ponderosa pine outside of the Pumpkin Fire scar.

The Pumpkin Trail, Kendrick Mountain Trail, Bull Basin Trail and the 4th Connector Trail are closed. US 180 remains closed in both directions northwest of Flagstaff between mileposts 236 and 248. ADOT continues to assess the closure of 180. You can get the latest information at the AZ 511 web site or dialing 511.

Smoke will be visible fromFlagstaff, Baderville, Parks, Williams, Interstate 40, and the Grand Canyon. Smoke is predicted to impact the communities of Cameron and Tuba City during the day, and Spring Valley, Pumpkin Center, Parks and Baderville during the evening hours. An air quality report is available on the Boundary Inciweb page under maps.

AZGFD seizes deer, bobcat and javelina, advises public to leave baby wildlife alone

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TUSCON – The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has seized a deer, bobcat and javelina since June 2 that were illegally taken captive while young by Tucson area residents and reared as pets.

The mule deer buck was taken to the AZGFD Wildlife Center in Phoenix for treatment, and then will go to Bearizona in Williams. The bobcat was placed at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, and the javelina moved to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale.

Taking captive and holding young wildlife is illegal take of wildlife, and illegal possession of restricted wildlife, in addition to being a public safety hazard. Circumstances warranted issuing only warnings in these cases.

“In the majority of cases, it is best to leave all baby wildlife alone. People’s desire to help seemingly abandoned animals can have unintended negative consequences,” said Regional Supervisor Raul Vega of Game and Fish in Tucson. “Although it seems humane to ’help’ or ’rescue’ baby animals perceived to be in need, wildlife reared in captivity by humans — without the benefit of learning from their parents — have a greatly reduced chance of survival if they are released back into the wild.”

In most instances, baby mammals should be left in place, untouched, unless obviously injured. Although they may appear orphaned, baby mammals are typically left alone by their mother for long periods of time while she forages for food and water.

Baby mammals that are immobile and at immediate risk of injury can be moved, if necessary, to a safe location nearby that provides appropriate cover. The mother will likely find the relocated baby by smell or hearing and continue to provide care, provided that people and pets stay away.

If a well-meaning person separates a baby mammal from its mother, it may result in euthanizing the animal unless a zoo or shelter can take it. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer further complicates the issue, as a possessed fawn is suspect because Game and Fish cannot verify that the animal is not from a state where the disease occurs.

CWD, similar to Mad Cow Disease, is a fatal neurological condition. There have been no cases in Arizona, but there have been in nearby states. For more information, the public can visit http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/urban_injured_sick.shtml for more tips and a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in Arizona.