Monthly Archives: April 2018

Coconino Sheriff’s Office Responds to Body Below Bridge Near Munds Park

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FLAGSTAFF — On April 27 at 12:29 a.m., Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a request from the Arizona Department of Public Safety to a bridge along Interstate 17 south of Munds Park where a body had been found deceased. The victim was located approximately 70 feet below the bridge.

A Department of Public Safety Officer conducted a check of a vehicle at that location believing it to be broken down. As he checked the area the Officer observed what he believed to be a body below the bridge.

The Pinewood Fire Department responded to the area and assisted CCSO Search and Rescue in the recovery of the body. The Victim is believed to be out of the Phoenix area. The Case is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Rattlesnake Fire closures impact turkey hunts south of Alpine

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PINETOP — On April 26, the U.S. Forest Service announced new closures due to the Rattlesnake Fire burning south of Alpine, which will affect access for turkey hunters heading to Game Management Unit (GMU) 27.

Forest Road 26 is open to vehicles, but the area south of the roadway is closed from FS Road 26 to FS Road 587. Additionally, trailhead closures are in place between FS Roads 26 and 54 east of Highway 191. The Black River south of Buffalo Crossing is also included in this closure.

See the map and closure order for more details (Facebook).

Areas in Unit 27 outside of the expanded Rattlesnake Fire closure area on the Alpine Ranger District that turkey hunters should consider during the closure include:

FS Road 281 all the way down into Blue River.
FS Road 403 just west of Alpine.
The middle mountain area along FS Roads 37 and 405.
The Indian Peak area along FS Roads 58 and 59, just south of Alpine.
FS Road 276 west of Alpine, down into the East Fork of Black River.
FS Road 567 east to Blue River.
FS Road 184 east off of Highway 191.

For updates on the Rattlesnake Fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/.

Kaibab National Forest to conduct prescribed burn near Tusayan tomorrow

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TUSAYAN – Fire crews with the Kaibab National Forest plan to implement a prescribed fire project near Tusayan starting tomorrow and continuing through Thursday in order to improve forest health and reduce the risk of unnaturally severe wildfire to the community.

The area to be treated is part of the Reed Prescribed Fire Project, which has blocks both southwest and east of the Town of Tusayan. This week, fire managers will focus on the 250-acre block southwest of Tusayan and south of Grand Canyon Airport. Ignitions will begin early tomorrow morning and are expected to be complete by Thursday evening.Because of the proximity of the area to be treated to the community and the possibility of smoke impacts, fire managers look for very specific weather, fuel and wind conditions under which to ignite within the Reed Prescribed Fire Project. Fire managers plan to take advantage of predicted conditions over the next couple of days, due to winds that are anticipated to move the majority of the smoke west and away from Tusayan, the airport, Grand Canyon National Park, and state Highway 64.

Fire managers recognize the negative effects that lingering smoke can have on communities after a prescribed fire and are constantly adjusting tactics to minimize impacts. Ignitions only occur on specific days when winds will transport smoke away from sensitive locations and busy roadways. Crews will also burn smaller acreage blocks and begin earlier in the day in order to minimize smoke production time and allow for good ventilation throughout the afternoon. This strategy will lessen the early morning smoke that can carry into town from evening downslope winds.

Despite these mitigation efforts, some smoke is still likely to be visible at different times from state Highway 64 and from the communities of Grand Canyon, Valle and Tusayan.

The Kaibab National Forest is part of a fire-adapted ecosystem. It is dependent on fire to play a natural role in maintaining vibrant forest health. Fire on the landscape is critical to overall ecosystem functioning and to reducing threats posed to communities by unnaturally severe wildfire and its sometimes devastating after effects, such as watershed degradation and flooding.

Fire managers work closely with local town officials, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, partners in the Grand Canyon National Park, as well as surrounding Native American tribes to monitor air quality whenever burns are implemented.

The public can view approved prescribed fires for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at http://smoke.azdeq.gov/. Prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest begin with the forest’s designator “KNF.”

Notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided regularly throughout the season. Additional information can be obtained through the following sources:

Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5160/
Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311
Facebook: facebook.com/kaibabnf
Twitter: twitter.com/kaibabnf (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

Williams Ranger District to Continue Ignitions on Sunflower Rx Fire Project

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WILLIAMS – Fire managers on the south zone of the Kaibab National Forest will resume implementation on the Sunflower prescribed fire project beginning Saturday of this week. With red flag conditions subsiding and a measure of moisture in the immediate forecast, favorable weather conditions have presented an opportunity to continue with treatments in this specific area.

The 15,195 acre Sunflower project is located approximately 7 miles southeast of Williams between County Road 73 and Whitehorse Lake. It began in the fall of 2017 and will likely be ongoing throughout the year as opportunities arise and conditions permit.

Fire plays a beneficial role in maintaining the ecological stability of many landscapes including the Kaibab National Forest. Managers use prescribed fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic wildfires that can pose significant threats to public health and safety.

Officials understand that smoke impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration more effectively using prescribed methods as opposed to an uncontrolled wildfire situation with long term effects.

During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorizations, please visit www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html. Additional fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources: InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5160/ Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.

Kaibab National Forest to implement fire restrictions this Friday

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest will implement campfire and smoking restrictions, also known as Stage I fire restrictions, across the entire Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts beginning at 8 a.m. this Friday. Due to different weather and fuel conditions, the North Kaibab Ranger District, which is located north of Grand Canyon National Park, will not yet implement any fire restrictions.

Under the restrictions to be implemented Friday across the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within the specific developed recreation sites listed here:

  • Kaibab Lake Campground, Williams Ranger District
  • Dogtown Lake Campground, Williams Ranger District
  • White Horse Lake Campground, Williams Ranger District
  • Tex-X Campground, Tusayan Ranger District

Stage I restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in the listed developed recreation sites.

Using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device. Fireworks are always prohibited on all National Forest lands.

The Forest Service uses fire restrictions to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Implementation of fire restrictions normally occurs based on a combination of factors that are carefully measured.

Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include things such as current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, a variety of science-based indices, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Additional restrictions may be applied any time that conditions warrant. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area covered by the restrictions receives significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded.

Forest officials would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the National Forest while under fire restrictions is a violation that carries a mandatory appearance in federal court. Violations are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

These fire restrictions apply only to the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest. However, many city, state, and county agencies implement similar restrictions, so members of the public should check with the appropriate agency on any restrictions before starting a campfire, charcoal grill or anything with an open flame.

Members of the public can find additional information on the Kaibab National Forest through the following sources:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

Evacuation Warning Lifted for Residents due to the Indian Meadows Fire

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VALLE – On April 23rd, 2018 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office issued Evacuation warnings for the Woodland Ranch Area near Valle Arizona due to a quick spreading wild fire.
As of 7:30 p.m., the Evacuation for the Indian Meadows Fire/Lateral Fire was be lifted by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. All Residents will be allowed back into their homes.

Current investigation indicates the fire was started by a resident of Woodland Ranch Road who was burning yard trimmings when the fire went out of control. Updated information shows the fire to have burned approximately 100 acres, one unoccupied residential structure, multiple vehicles and several out buildings. This is the second fire this month started by residents burning. The Copley fire in Winona was started by a resident burning. Even if you have a permit to burn, you are still must burn responsibly. If you are burning and fire becomes uncontrollable, call 911 immediately. Do not try to fight it yourself.

Fire and Law enforcement units will continue to work and investigate throughout the night and into the morning. Coconino County Emergency Management along with the American Red Cross have set up a shelter for those displaced from their homes in Williams Arizona at 636 S. 7th Street.

Possible Missing person out of Buckeye AZ located in Horseshoe bend

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PAGE – On April 22, 2018 at approximately 2:13 p.m., the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office out of the Page substation responded to Horseshoe Bend Parking lot in response to a possible missing person out of Buckeye, Arizona. Family members of the missing person located the missing persons vehicle in the parking lot and notified the Page Police Department.

Search efforts, with additional assistance from National Park Service Rangers, located what is believed to be the missing person deceased at the bottom of the Horseshoe Bend at about 3:22 p.m.

Department of Public Safety Helicopter and Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies made their way to the body from the top of the rim by helicopter, while National Parks Service Rangers made access from the River side. The body was transported by short haul to the top of the rim.

The case is still under investigation pending a positive Identification of the body by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

ADOT receives $7 million in federal relief for summer 2017 flood damage

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PHOENIX – The Federal Highway Administration is providing $7 million in emergency relief funds to help cover the Arizona Department of Transportation’s cost of repairing two state highways damaged by flooding last summer. Governor Doug Ducey issued an emergency declaration for both highways. The $7 million reimbursement allows ADOT to put money spent on these emergency repairs toward other highway projects.

A long stretch of State Route 88 northeast of Apache Junction experienced structural erosion following an intense monsoon storm last July. The highway remained open while ADOT made emergency repairs, and now much of that stretch is part of a previously planned safety-improvement project.

On Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona, runoff from areas scarred by the Frye Fire, which started in early June, damaged the upper reaches of State Route 366, also known as Swift Trail. Because of damage to the roadway and concerns about flash flooding from burned areas, the highest reaches of the highway remained closed until mid-September.

The Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program reimburses state and local jurisdictions for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges damaged by catastrophic events. The emergency funds cover the cost of initial repairs to both highways, emergency repairs to SR 88 and preliminary design work to address longer-term issues from flooding along SR 366. ADOT will seek an additional $4 million in emergency relief funds for permanent restoration on SR 366.

ADOT detectives nab man with Illinois felony warrant

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PHOENIX – A Glendale resident who allegedly used his brother’s identity to apply for an Arizona driver license was revealed to have a felony warrant out of Illinois and has been charged with forgery thanks to Arizona Department of Transportation detectives’ use of facial recognition training and technology.

In late February, Luis Castro, 32, applied for an Arizona driver license using the name, date of birth and Social Security number of his brother at the Glendale MVD office.

ADOT’s facial recognition system found that Castro’s photo did not match the previous photo under his brother’s profile. Detectives, who have FBI training in facial recognition, confirmed this was the case and opened an investigation.

ADOT’s investigation found that Castro’s photo matched a booking photo from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois. Digging further, detectives found that Castro had an extraditable felony warrant out of Cook County for aggravated assault, aggravated robbery and prohibited possessor of firearms.

Confirming that fraud had taken place, OIG canceled the permanent credential. When Castro called MVD looking for his driver license that hadn’t shown up in the mail, detectives made arrangements with him to meet at the West Phoenix MVD office on April 17 where Castro believed he was picking up the fraudulent credential.

ADOT detectives arrested Castro in the parking lot on counts of forgery and the felony warrant out of Illinois. He was booked at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Fourth Avenue Jail.

This case is one more example of how facial recognition technology used by ADOT’s Office of Inspector General protects Arizonans’ identities and helps prevent fraud involving state-issued driver licenses and identification cards.

County enacts Stage 1 fire restrictions below the Mogollon Rim

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors enacted the Wildfire Defense Ordinance Stage 1 fire restrictions, for Coconino County, below the Mogollon Rim, during the regular board meeting Tuesday night.

Restrictions go into effect Friday, April 20 and will remain until fire danger conditions subside and the Board of Supervisors act.

“Currently, we have very dry and dangerous conditions in Coconino County and the weather isn’t forecasted to change,” said Chairman Matt Ryan. “The Board unanimously voted to enact Stage 1 fire restrictions below the Mogollon Rim, in collaboration with our partners, to help lessen the threat of wildfire. We also hope during this time of heightened awareness, people sign-up for emergency notifications on coconino.az.gov/ready to stay informed when emergencies happen.”

The following restrictions apply on County public lands below the Mogollon Rim (Oak Creek Canyon, City of Sedona and other areas on attached map) as well as private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County below the Mogollon Rim. During Stage 1, the only combustion, open fire and campfire allowed are listed below:

1. By persons with a written permit from a proper governmental authority that specifically authorizes the prohibited act.
2. For personal use of cigarette or other tobacco smoking medium when inside an enclosed vehicle or building, or in a developed recreational site in an area that is free of combustible materials and vegetation.
3. For emergency repair of public utilities and railroads and other health and safety mitigation measures when operated by a public utility or railroad and implemented in accordance with an approved agency plan.
4. By any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting entity in the performance of an official duty.
5. By persons whose OPEN FIRE is the result of a device fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and turned off (for example a gas grill) when used in an area that is free of combustible materials and vegetation.
6. By persons operating internal combustion engines in the course of mechanical or industrial operations that would produce open flames and sparks but containing appropriate spark arresting devices; those welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame in an area that is free of combustible materials and vegetation; and those using explosives with written permission of an authorized governmental agency.
7. By persons operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.
8. By persons operating electric generators or pumps with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building in an area that is free of combustible materials and vegetation.
9. Persons engaged in industrial and ranching operations where specific operations and mitigation measures are identified in an operating plan.
10. For cooking of food or for providing warmth for human beings in an area designated by a governmental authority specifically for that purpose; for example – a CAMPFIRE or OPEN FIRE in an established campground with fire-hosting amenities [grill, fire ring].

Stage 1 fire restrictions do not affect recreational activities at County parks.

Citizens are reminded to use caution when smoking cigarettes outdoors and to completely extinguish them. The use of any machinery that may emit sparks, such as chainsaws and welding equipment should be used with caution during the high fire danger period. Be prepared and have fire extinguishing equipment readily available.

Residents and visitors are asked to use their best judgment when considering whether to engage in any activity that could spark a fire. Residents and visitors are reminded that they can be held legally responsible for causing any wildfire.

A link to the full Wildfire Defense Ordinance can be found at on the Coconino County homepage at www.coconino.az.gov/emergency.