Monthly Archives: July 2017

Sheriff’s Office Responds to Downed Hiker near Hilltop at Havasupai

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HAVASUPAI – On Saturday, July 1 at approximately 1:13 p.m., Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a downed hiker on the Havasu Canyon Trail near Hilltop in Havasupai. A 32-year-old male from Utah was hiking out of the canyon with several others when he collapsed.

While Deputies from the Williams District and medics were responding, the victim was aided by other hikers who were able to put the victim on a horse and get him to the Hilltop area.

CPR was performed by bystanders until Tristate Care Flight arrived on scene. Tristate advised the subject was unable to be revived.

The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office responded and transported the deceased to Flagstaff. The cause and manner of death are under review by the Coconino County Medical Examiner.

Life jacket exchange events taking place Saturday, July 8

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PHOENIX — Have an old, worn out life jacket? Swap it for a new one. From 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 8, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is holding life jacket exchange events at four locations throughout the state:

Lake Pleasant — 10-lane boat ramp
Canyon Lake — main ramp
Lake Powell — Wahweap Marina
Lake Havasu City — Windsor Beach

During the exchanges, people with old, worn and less-effective life jackets can swap them for a new life jacket, while supplies last.

It’s important that boaters check to ensure that all of their life jackets are in good condition and that they are the right size and fit for passengers. On average in Arizona, life jackets should be replaced every five years.

“While state law requires that anyone 12 and under must wear a life jacket when out on the water, it’s a good idea for all boat and watercraft users to wear one,” said Josh Hoffman, Boating Safety Education coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Wear it. Don’t just store the life jacket on your boat to check the box.”

New life jackets are much more comfortable, lightweight and stylish than the bulky orange style most boaters know. There are innovative options, such as inflatable life jackets, allowing mobility and flexibility for activities like boating, fishing, paddling or hunting and are much cooler in the warmer weather.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that in 2016 there were 4,463 recreational boating accidents, involving 701 deaths nationwide. In cases where the cause of death was known, 80 percent of fatal boating accident victims drowned and of those, 83 percent were not wearing a life jacket. In Arizona, there were five deaths from boating accidents last year.

“Wearing a life jacket could very well save your life,” Hoffman said.

For more information on boating safety or to register for a hands-on or online safety course, visit www.azgfd.gov/boating and click “Boating Safety Education.”

Drive carefully on SR 69 with firefighting still underway

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PHOENIX – While State Route 69 has reopened between Interstate 17 and State Route 169 near Prescott, drivers need to use caution as crews in the area continue fighting the Goodwin Fire, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Those using SR 69 through the affected area should slow down and watch out for vehicles and equipment entering and exiting the highway. In addition, windblown smoke can reduce visibility.

Other options for reaching the Prescott area from the Valley include taking SR 169 west from Interstate 17 or taking SR 89 north from US 93 via US 60 through Wickenburg. Because both SR 169 and SR 89 are one lane in each direction most of the way, heavy traffic can lead to slowing on those routes.

SR 69 closed Tuesday between Cordes Junction and SR 169 as the Goodwin Fire burned near Mayer. It reopened to all traffic Friday morning.

Initial assessments by ADOT suggest that only minimal fire damage occurred along SR 69. Approximately 20 guardrail posts were damaged when fire crossed the highway near Mayer. ADOT will conduct a full assessment once firefighting operations wind down.

For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, follow us on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511.

Bradshaw Ranger District reports some success in Goodwin Fire

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PRESCOTT – The 25,714 acre Goodwin Fire centered 14 miles south of Prescott is 44% contained as of today. The fire started June 24 at about 4 P.M. and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Some evacuations have been lifted.

Fire crews constructed a large amount of fireline yesterday in a critical part of the fire on top of Big Bug Mesa. After reviewing the day’s accomplishment, Operations Section Chief, Todd Abel, said “We are setup for success”.

Bulldozers will continue to create contingency firelines north of the fire, today, in order to protect Dewey in the event the fire moves across existing firelines.

Crews will continue mopping up where the fire burned along the SR69 side of the fire. Firefighters will also start rehabilitating firelines and removing equipment in areas where the fire has been contained. Crews will be patrolling these areas of the fire and will remain in place to protect Breezy Pine Canyon and Pine Flat.

Slightly stronger winds from the southwest are expected today. The fire continues to move very slowly into sparse vegetation located in an old fire scar. The fire only grew by 472 acres yesterday.

As of 10 a.m. this morning, evacuation orders were lifted for Blue Hills and Upper Blue Hills where power has been restored. The evacuation of Dewey/Humboldt all areas west of SR 69 south to mile post 280 has also been lifted, but west Poland Junction remains under evacuation. The Blue Hills/Upper Blue Hills area has fire suppression sprinklers that were installed by firefighters in various portions of the community. Please keep these areas clear and allow fire officials access to do their work.

SR 69 – west side from Grapevine Road north to Milepost 280, Poland Junction- west side, Pine Flat, Breezy Pines, Walker, Potato Patch, Mount Union, Mountain Pine Acres still remains under mandatory evacuation.

Although some evacuations have been lifted and roads reopened, property owners are urged to remain vigilant and monitor fire news. There is still active fire behavior, particularly in the northern portion of the fire, and conditions can change easily if impacted by high wind events. For additional information regarding evacuations and pre-evacuations please call the Yavapai County Emergency Operation Center at (928) 442-5103, 7am – 7pm.