WILLIAMS – While the Prairie Dog fire was being fought, an injury accident occurred at about mile post 158 on westbound I-40 in the construction zone. A worker was run over by a piece of construction equipment injuring his leg. Lifeline ambulance requested assistance from Williams Fire Department shortly after the Prairie Dog fire was out. Williams Fire Department Rescue 1 responded and Guardian launched a helicopter. Condition of the injured person is unknown.
Monthly Archives: July 2018
Rescue of Climbing Accident Victim at Oak Creek Vista
FLAGSTAFF – On July 2, 2018 at approximately 1:15 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a climbing accident at Oak Creek Vista off of State Route 89A. Multiple agencies responded to assist in the rescue of the injured climber.
A 57-year-old male from Tucson, AZ had sustained a back injury when he fell approximately 20 feet at the end of his rappel. Due to the location of the patient and the nature of his injuries, Search and Rescue established a technical rope system to lower a rescuer and basket litter to the patient. Highlands Fire and Guardian Medical personnel had hiked to the patient’s location to provide initial treatment and help prepare the patient to be raised by the rope system. The Search and Rescue litter attendant and the patient were then raised via a mechanical advantage rope system to the top of the canyon and carried out to the waiting ambulance. The patient was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
Thank you to Highlands Fire District, Guardian Medical Transport, and Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit.
Kaibab National Forest and Williams Fire Department respond to Prairie Dog Fire
WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest and Williams Fire Department are responding to the 2-acre Prairie Dog Fire located just north of Interstate 40 about a mile east of the City of Williams and west of Highway 64.
Due to the potential for the wildfire to grow, the Williams Police Department is evacuating Kaibab Lake Campground and asking visitors to stay clear of the area while fire suppression efforts continue. No additional structures are threatened at this time.
Fire resources on scene include five engines, one dozer, two water tenders and several individual firefighting personnel. The Flagstaff Hotshot crew is en route and a helicopter has arrived.
The wildfire began on private property and has moved onto the Kaibab National Forest. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.
Rain in the future
In case you forgot, rain looks something like this.
Whether or not it will be enough to break the drought remains to be seen.
Independence Day closures
FLAGSTAFF –– All Coconino County offices will be closed Wednesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, records will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please dial 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.
Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Animal Management will have an officer available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. Contact the CCPHSD Animal Management office at 928-679-8756 and leave a message and an officer will respond. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Coconino County’s parks and natural areas will remain open during the holiday, but administrative offices at Fort Tuthill County Park will be closed and limited staff or services will be available. The Fort Tuthill Bike Park is open. The public is encouraged to visit one of the County’s parks for a morning run, afternoon hike or to view local wildlife.
The County remains in Stage Three Fire Restrictions below the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and the use of fireworks is prohibited throughout the County. For more information on restrictions go www.coconino.az.gov/ready.
2018 Coconino County Fair early bird ticket sales began today
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Parks & Recreation is hosting the 69th annual Coconino County Fair, on Labor Day Weekend, August 31 – September 3, at Fort Tuthill County Park. The Fair is a community event where people exhibit animals and handcrafts. There are also various entertainment acts, carnival rides and games.
Starting July 1, fairgoers can purchase early bird Coconino County Fair admission tickets and carnival wristbands for a discounted rate at coconinocountyfair.com. The promotion ends July 31. Discounted carnival wristbands are available until they are sold out.
Early bird admission tickets will be $5 each for adults and $3 each for youth (ages 6 – 12) and seniors (65 and older). Kids, 5 and under, are not charged admission at the Fair. Carnival wristbands, which allow people to ride unlimited carnival rides for one day, will be $25 each, while supplies last. There is a limit of ten wristbands that can be purchased at one time.
To enter exhibits such as artwork, photography, crafts, homegrown vegetables and flowers, clothing, quick breads, cookies, cherry pies, candies, preserved foods, quilts and more, go to coconinocountyfair.com. Entries are free except for livestock. Participants will compete for red, white or blue ribbons with special awards, including cash prizes.
The 2018 Fair Book is now online for people to view categories and enter their exhibit information. There are a limited number of printed Fair Books available at the Parks and Recreation Administration office or participating locations in Coconino County.
For more information on the County Fair go to coconinocountyfair.com or call the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department at 928-679-8000.
County Board appoints James Jayne County Manager
FLAGSTAFF -– The Coconino County Board of Supervisors selected James (Jimmy) Jayne as County Manager. Jayne has served as Interim County Manager since January 2018.
“Jimmy has shown tremendous leadership ability over the last six months as Interim County Manager,” said Chairman of the Board Matt Ryan. “His extensive experience and vast network of connections throughout the state will advance the County’s initiatives on behalf of our citizens. The Board trusts and believes that Jimmy is the right person to deliver the quality services our citizens have come to expect.”
District 1 Supervisor and Vice Chairman Art Babbott added, “We’re excited by the creativity and innovation that Jimmy will bring to Coconino County to better serve our citizens, build our organization and engender productive local, state, tribal and federal partnerships. We are enthusiastic about his leadership and ensuring the County grows as a forward thinking, supportive and high-performing organization.”
Jayne’s breadth of experience serving in state and county leadership roles positions him to support the County’s mission to build strong and resilient communities across the vastness of Coconino County.
“I’ve been really impressed with the work ethic and dedication to public service Jimmy has shown over his tenure with the County,” said District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler. “He’s traveled to every corner of the County and worked to establish relationships in all of our diverse communities. I look forward to working with him as we continue to meet our many challenges.”
Jayne joined the Coconino County team in August 2017 serving as the Director of Special Initiatives, responsible for Public Affairs and Community Relations, Public Works and various special projects.
“I am honored to be selected by the Board to serve the people of Coconino County,” said Jayne. “My life has been dedicated to building community – I pledge to bring energy, creativity and a strong commitment to collaborating with our communities. I am also privileged to work with one of finest service organizations in the country, a team that is strongly dedicated to serving the public.”
Prior to coming to Coconino County, Jayne served as the Navajo County Manager since 2003. He also served as Executive Secretary for the Arizona Corporation Commission, the Chief of Staff in the Arizona House of Representatives, worked at the Arizona Water Banking Authority and served as staff in the U.S. Congress. Jayne earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University and his Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University. Recently he was inducted into the Northern Arizona University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Hall of Fame for his outstanding public service career.
The Board will officially appoint Jayne as County manager during a special session on July 11.