FLAGSTAFF — Evacuations and road closures in the Tinder Fire area remain in effect. As this is still a very dynamic situation, there is no estimated timeline for when closures will be lifted.
Residents of the evacuated areas should call the County Call Center at 928-679-8393 for recovery and evacuation information.
Evacuation notices went out via the Coconino County Emergency Notification System, door-to-door contacts and vehicle loud speaker notification through Sunday, April 29. It’s estimated that 600 people evacuated from the estimated 1,000 homes in the area.
As of Sunday night, at least seven people checked into the Evacuation Reception Center at Twin Arrows Casino. Approximately 20 people refused to evacuate from their homes. The County Sheriff’s Office and public safety partners continue to provide security in evacuated areas. The Sheriff thanks residents for their cooperation and patience.
As County officials begin damage assessments of the area, information will be shared with residents as it becomes available.
FLAGSTAFF – The Northern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross has relocated the Tinder fire evacuee shelter to Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort, 22181 Resort Blvd., Flagstaff, AZ 86004, I-40 east of Flagstaff. The shelter in Winslow has been closed.
The Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort shelter is available to people needing assistance, shelter, food and information.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a deceased body that was located near Woody Mountain Road.
On April 24 at approximately 5 p.m., Deputies received a report of human remains located near Woody Mountain Road. The remains had been found by a sportsman driving in the area. The body could not be immediately identified due to exposure to the elements, but detectives believe the deceased person to be an adult male of light complexion. It is thought the body had been in the area for several months.
Detectives are currently investigating the death as a homicide. They believe the victim was killed at another location and the body transported to the Woody Mountain Road area to be discarded.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office along with the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office are attempting to identify the victim. We are seeking information from the public to help in this investigation.
If anyone has information, please contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.
PHOENIX (April 30, 2018) – The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is celebrating Air Quality Awareness Week April 30 to May 4, 2018. While there have been improvements in air quality over the last 40 years, Arizona still faces challenges. Weather and climate are big factors in our air quality, but each person can make a difference in reducing air pollution.
“The biggest contributors to air pollution decades ago – industry – are no longer the biggest contributors today. Our air pollution issues are now community-based, which means our solutions are community-based,” says Timothy Franquist, ADEQ Air Quality Division Director. “With 7 million people living, working and enjoying all that Arizona has to offer, small actions add up to big ones. Together, we can positively impact our environment, our economy and our community.”
Monday, April 30: Celebrate the successes. Since 1990, air quality has improved for Arizona even as the population and economy has grown. Plus, the American Lung Association found in their 2018 State of the Air report that some counties and the city of Phoenix were experiencing fewer days of unhealthy levels for certain pollutants compared to the last report.
Tuesday, May 1: World Asthma Day. Almost 100 Arizona residents die every year due to asthma. Hundreds of thousands more suffer from it. Driving less, curbing fireworks use during the holidays and using gas instead of wood fires are all actions that can reduce harmful pollutants.
Wednesday, May 2: Ozone. What type of air pollution can you not see or smell? Ozone. By simply driving less, taking mass transit, reducing idling in lines at drive-thru windows and waiting to fuel up until after dark, we can reduce the amount of ozone impacting our breathing.
Thursday, May 3: PM-10 — also known as dust. Some areas in Arizona are in nonattainment for PM-10, which means they are above a level set by the Clean Air Act and the EPA to control pollutants. This has economic impacts with increased regulation, as well as health impacts.
Friday, May 4: PM-2.5 — also known as smoke. These tiny particles get deep into the lungs and can cause bigger health impacts than PM-10. Smoke from fireworks during the 4th of July holiday may drive those with respiratory issues inside or even to the hospital.
What can you do? You can be a part of the solution! Working together, we can improve air quality across Arizona, allowing each of us to breathe easier. Please help us spread the word.
For information to localize this story to your area and audience, contact ADEQ PIO Erin Jordan at jordan.erin@azdeq.gov or 602-771-2215.
TIPS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY:
Ride transit, carpool or telework.
Eliminate all unnecessary driving and/or combine trips.
Avoid idling.
Refuel after dark.
Keep your tires inflated to proper levels and your car tuned.
Change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Avoid the use of gas-powered lawn equipment.
Avoid dirt roads.
Avoid the use of leaf blowers.
Use gas or electric instead of burning wood.
Limit the lighting of fireworks.
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FLAGSTAFF – As the Arizona Department of Transportation studies and develops long-term visions for two major Flagstaff corridors, the agency will hold public meetings on the first two Thursdays in May to solicit input.
The public meeting on the US 180 Corridor Master Plan will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Flagstaff High School Commons, 400 W. Elm Ave. ADOT will also host a public meeting for the Milton Road Corridor Master Plan from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at the same location.
Both meetings will begin with a brief presentation, followed by an open house during which the public can talk with ADOT representatives.
Each corridor master plan will set a 20-year vision for US 180 and Milton Road with suggested projects aimed at improving traffic flow and maintaining safety.
US 180, the primary route between Flagstaff and Arizona Snowbowl and other snow-play areas, has seen heavy traffic during winter weekends. The study area for US 180 runs from the intersection of Humphreys Street and Route 66 to the Crowley Pit at milepost 233.
Milton Road, also known as State Route 89A, is the primary roadway through the heart of Flagstaff. It sees traffic delays during weekday rush hours and experiences backups during winter weekends.
The study area for Milton Road runs from Forest Meadows Street near the southern entrance to Flagstaff to the point where Milton turns into Route 66 at Butler Avenue and goes to Beaver Street.
For more information on these important studies, visit azdot.gov.
