Daily Archives: April 26, 2019

Coconino County Courts host Law Day

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Courts are hosting Law Day at the Coconino County Courthouse at 200 N. San Francisco Street in Flagstaff. The proceedings will begin at 8:45 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2019.

This year’s Law Day theme is “Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society.” The theme provides an opportunity to explore the ways the First Amendment has shaped American law and society. Law Day activities in Flagstaff are coordinated by Coconino County Superior Court, the Coconino County Bar Association and local attorneys. The theme is selected by the American Bar Association each year.

Throughout the day, local middle and high school students will participate in Moot Courts. Students prepare, present and argue cases with the assistance of local attorneys in front of a Superior Court Judge. This opportunity shows students the complexities of the legal system.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation during the April 17 regular meeting declaring May 3, 2019 as Law Day in the County. This was in accordance with the nationally recognized day for commemoration.

The public is encouraged to attend and participate in all activities for this year’s Law Day.

Tow chains, underinflated tires can cause wildfires

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PHOENIX – Summer is right around the corner, and with it comes an increased risk of wildfires along state highways caused by motorists dragging chains, driving on underinflated tires and tossing cigarettes.

Fires along highways not only put people and property at risk but can cause long backups and even extended closures.

Last June, the 377 Fire in Navajo County started when dragging metal on a trailer sparked several fires along 24 miles of State Route 377 between Heber-Overgaard and Holbrook. Those fires grew into a 5,000-acre wildfire that closed the highway for four days and prompted evacuations.

“Simple tasks like properly inflating your tires and taking a moment to make sure nothing is dragging on your vehicle or trailer can significantly reduce the risk of creating sparks that can cause wildfires,” said Dallas Hammit, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s state engineer and deputy director for transportation. “One act of carelessness, like tossing a lit cigarette out the window, can potentially burn thousands of acres.”

According to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, dragging chains is one of the main causes of fires along highways.

“Roadside fires continue to be one of the biggest causes of Arizona’s wildfires every year, especially on heavily traveled highways like Interstates 10 and 17. A majority of these roadside fires are preventable, yet they continue to happen,” said Tiffany Davila, public affairs officer for the Department of Forestry and Fire Management. “Please do your part to help keep wildfire activity low this summer. Before traveling, ensure tow chains are secure and your vehicle is properly serviced. We all need to do our part.”

Here’s how you can help cut down on sparks that start wildfires:

  • Check and secure tow chains, and never substitute parts when towing.
    Make sure nothing is hanging beneath your vehicle and dragging on the pavement.
  • Check tire pressure before you travel. Exposed wheel rims can cause sparks.
  • Don’t park in tall grass, as the heat from parts under your vehicle can start a fire.

For more information on how to prevent fires, please visit wildlandfire.az.gov.

Kaibab National Forest to offer commercial fuelwood permits for the Williams Ranger District

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest will offer commercial fuelwood cutting permits for the 2019 season beginning May 31 for the Williams Ranger District. The 2019 commercial fuelwood cutting season will run from May 31 to December 31.

It is considered a commercial use when a permittee intends to sell the fuelwood that is collected. All commercial uses of forest products require a paid permit.

There will be a limited number of commercial units available. Assignment of these units to the permittees will be determined through an incorporated lottery system. Entry forms for the lottery will be mailed on May 10 to known prospective commercial fuelwood cutters. These forms can also be obtained on the Kaibab National Forest website at https://bit.ly/KNFCommercialUse.

The lottery forms for the 2019 season are due no later than May 24. Recipients of commercial units will then be notified on May 29. The permits will be good for 10 cords at a price of $5 per cord, for a $50 permit. These fuelwood cutting permits can then be purchased by the lottery winners at the Williams Ranger District office Mondays through Fridays, excluding federal holidays:

· Williams Ranger District, 742 S. Clover Road, Williams; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (928) 635-5600

The associated unit maps and additional information will be provided when the permit is purchased. All commercial fuelwood permits issued by the Kaibab National Forest will include a map and detailed cutting regulations as well as load tags, which must be physically attached to each ½ cord of fuelwood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The goal of this load tagging system is to ensure accountability for the amount of wood removed from the forest and to contribute to future planning efforts for commercial fuelwood cutting units to meet both public need and forest restoration objectives.

The removal of commercial fuelwood on the Kaibab National Forest is permitted only from the specific unit for which the permit is issued. Fuelwood cutters are reminded to take strict note of cutting unit boundaries and to avoid cutting outside of those boundaries.

Detailed commercial fuelwood cutting information and maps will be posted on the Kaibab National Forest website at https://bit.ly/KNFCommercialUse. Those interested in these permits should check the site for updates as the commercial fuelwood season approaches.

For additional information on the commercial fuelwood program, please contact Jason Brugh on the Williams Ranger District at jason.brugh@usda.gov or (928) 635-5641.

Kaibab National Forest to offer firewood permits starting May 1

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest will offer firewood cutting permits for the 2019 season beginning May 1 for all districts. Permit holders may cut wood starting that day and continuing throughout the firewood season, which ends Nov. 30 on the North Kaibab Ranger District and Dec. 31 on the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts.

Firewood cutting permits can be obtained at the following locations and during the specified hours Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays:

· Williams Ranger District, 742 S. Clover Road, Williams; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (928) 635-5600
· Tusayan Ranger District, 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Tusayan; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (928) 638-2443
· North Kaibab Ranger District, 430 S. Main St., Fredonia; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (928) 643-7395

In 2018, the Kaibab National Forest launched a pilot program that increased the amount of wood available to each person for purchase while reducing the cost per cord by crediting firewood cutting for the contribution it provides to forest restoration goals. Due to the program’s success, these benefits will continue through the 2019 season.

Each person, with proper identification, may obtain permits for up to 30 cords per season of combined paid-use and free-use firewood on the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts, and 20 cords of paid-use firewood on the North Kaibab Ranger District. Paid-use firewood permit holders may purchase up to two 10-cord permits at a rate of $2 per cord. Free-use firewood permit holders may obtain one 10-cord permit to collect wood in designated areas on the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts.

“We wanted to recognize the valuable ecosystem service that firewood cutters provide in improving forest health by removing dead and down as well as small-diameter trees,” said Heather Provencio, forest supervisor for the Kaibab National Forest. “When we work with firewood cutters as our partners in forest restoration, we can more quickly move toward improved forest conditions and the shared goal of land stewardship.”

All firewood permits issued by the Kaibab National Forest will include a map and detailed cutting regulations as well as load tags, which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The goal of this load tagging system is to ensure accountability for the amount of wood removed from the forest and to inform planning for future firewood cutting areas to meet public need and forest restoration objectives.

To continue fostering the partnership with firewood cutters this season, the Kaibab National Forest is taking additional steps to improve the program for customers. Permit holders will receive a detailed guide that highlights the ecological impacts that collecting firewood can have on forest resources and describes best practices that will ensure the sustainability of these resources across the landscape and over time.

“Our goal is to equip our firewood cutters with the information they need to help protect the forest’s valuable resources while also meeting their personal needs for home heating, cooking and other important purposes,” said Samantha Flores, supervisory forester for the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts. “By sharing best practices and working together, every permit holder can become a steward of the land and a partner in meeting our forest restoration objectives.”

In addition to providing customers with information about forest resources and their role in protecting them, the Kaibab National Forest will also be seeking public feedback and suggestions for program improvements throughout the year. Those obtaining permits are encouraged to offer their comments, concerns and ideas.

The removal of firewood is permitted only from National Forest lands on the specific district for which the permit is issued. Firewood cutters are reminded to take note of property boundaries and cut only on National Forest lands.

Detailed firewood cutting information and maps will be updated throughout the firewood season on the Kaibab National Forest website at http://bit.ly/KNFfuelwood.

Kaibab National Forest information is also available through the following sources:

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Flickr: http://bit.ly/KaibabNFPhotos