Category Archives: Flagstaff

The 74th Annual Coconino County Fair is Coming Soon

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FLAGSTAFF — The 74th Annual Coconino County Fair is Labor Day Weekend, September 1 – 4, at the Fort Tuthill County Park Fairgrounds. The County Fair supports the longstanding tradition of agricultural skills in the community. Every year, thousands of people from all over Arizona and beyond visit the County Fair to enjoy the talented exhibitors, diverse entertainment, food, rides, and fun.

The Coconino County Fair entertainment lineup is especially diverse this year, with Indigenous, Latin, and Asian artists, as well as local bands, dancers, country, bluegrass, cover bands, tribute acts, magic, comedy, and more. New artists this year include Dan Meyer -Sword Swallower, The Perceptives Hypnotist Show, and Rollo the Biggest Kid In the World, a comedy stilt act. Familiar fun, like Shawn Eric Magic Fun Show, A Girl and Her Balloons, Flagstaff Dancin’ Grannies, the Flagstaff Community Band, and The Dune Sea Garrison Star Wars Characters will be returning, as well as the Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival’s Mini-Renaissance faire.

Main Stage Headliners:

Thunder and Lightnin’, Friday 8:00 p.m.
Jerrod Niemann, Saturday 8:00 p.m.
Selena Forever Tribute, Sunday 8:00 p.m.
Hot Red Chili Peppers, Monday 2:00 p.m.

Visitors can also see the talented work of community members in the exhibit buildings. Longtime Fort Tuthill County Park partners will be open for visitors at the Fort Tuthill Military Museum, Flagstaff Model Railroad Club, and Flagstaff Gems and Minerals. The Northern Arizona Antique Tractor and Engine Association will also be displaying machines from agricultural history. Visitors can also enjoy new contests and competitions on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, pictures with Coco the Cow, carnival rides, food, and more.

For a full schedule of events, contests, and entertainment, as well as to purchase tickets and parking passes, visit www.CoconinoCountyFair.com. Save time and space by choosing to carpool, bike, or use the free Fair shuttle, for ease of access through the crowds. Visitors are encouraged to use the new recycling bins for bottles and cans, to help keep the Coconino County Fair clean and fun for everyone.

Board of Supervisors Adopts Final Tax Rate Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) unanimously approved and adopted the tax rate schedule for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 24) and Tax Year 2023 for all special taxing jurisdictions for which Coconino County has authority to collect taxes. Arizona Revised Statues mandate that an ordinance levying taxes for FY 24 be adopted no later than the third Monday in August 2023, and with this administrative action the Board has concluded the 2023-24 budget process.

Special taxing jurisdictions, often referred to as special districts, are created to fill a need and to enable the provision of services in an area that might otherwise be limited from receiving those services for various reasons, including size, location, financial limitations or unavailability of other government support. The formation of a special taxing district creates a funding stream to pay for the desired or necessary services by placing the responsibility on those who benefit from that service.

Within Coconino County, special tax districts include the Flood Control District, Coconino Community College, ten public school districts, 17 fire department districts, and special districts such as the Williams Hospital District and the Forest Lakes Domestic Water District. The County also acts as the taxing authority in the cities of Flagstaff and Williams.

“This tax rate adoption is the culmination of extensive work by our County Finance Director, the County Treasurer, Assessor, our Superintendent of Schools, and last but not least our County Attorney’s Office,” said Patrice Horstman, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 1. “It is a lot of work, but necessary in order to meet the important priorities of our communities.”

The FY 24 budget, which took effect on July 1 of this year, sustains the County’s approach to 10-year budget planning and continues the County’s low property tax rate, one of the lowest in the state, maintaining service levels to the community while also considering the impact to the taxpayer.

74th Coconino County Fair Early Bird Tickets available

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FLAGSTAFF —Early bird tickets are available for the 74th annual Coconino County Fair that runs from September 1-4. The early bird tickets and wristbands are available until July 31 online and at Bookmans.

The ticket costs are:

  • Adults – $8
  • Youth (6 – 12) – $3
  • Senior (65 and older) – $4
  • Early Bird Carnival Wrist Bands (all-day pass) – $30

You can purchase wrist bands at www.CoconinoCountyFair.com or cash only at Bookmans Flagstaff Entertainment Exchange, 1520 S Riordan Ranch Street.
*Processing fees may apply
**Some rides may require additional tokens; $2 processing fee online

Flat Fire caused by individual burning grass trimmings

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FLAGSTAFF — The Flat Fire located north of the San Francisco Peaks and 4.5 miles west of U.S. Highway 89 (GPS: 35°28’04.0″N 111°39’16.3″W), began Monday, July 10, was caused from an individual burning grass trimmings.

The fire is currently estimated to be 32% contained at 156 acres and started from a private citizen burning grass trimmings in a burn pit that got out of control due to wind conditions and spread quickly.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office arrested an individual and charged him with reckless burning and violation of the county fire ban. Stage 1 fire restrictions are still in effect.

Current resources assigned to the fire include one Hotshot crew, one hand crew, one engine, one dozer, and one water tender.

The fire is experiencing minimal behavior through grass and pinyon-juniper.

Crews spent the week constructing containment lines on the east and west flanks of the fire and securing those lines and monitoring fire behavior.

Fire restrictions to begin Thursday, June 29 in northern Arizona

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FLAGSTAFF – Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions will be in effect Thursday, June 29 at 8 a.m. across the entirety of the Coconino National Forest and the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

The City of Flagstaff and Coconino County plan on implementing fire restrictions this week as well.

Under Forest Service Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or a developed recreation site. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest and state lands.

Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized 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 three feet of the device.

Recreational shooting on the Coconino NF and Kaibab NF is allowed as long as it follows the target shooting regulations.

Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Decisions about fire restrictions are based on a combination of carefully measured factors. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought, and available firefighting resources.

Additional restrictions could be forthcoming if conditions warrant. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area receives significant, widespread precipitation.

Violations could result in mandatory appearance in a federal court, fines, or jail time.

The public is reminded to always be extra cautious when recreating on public lands, regardless of restrictions. Even when forest-wide restrictions aren’t in place, there are places on the Coconino National Forest that have fire restrictions year-round, such as the Flagstaff area, Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon and West Sedona areas, as well as Pumphouse Wash.

2020 Homicide Victim Identified

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FLAGSTAFF – In October of 2020 a deceased individual was discovered in a shallow grave north of Flagstaff, off Highway 180 near the Lava Caves. The body was unidentifiable due to advanced stages of decomposition. The ensuing by Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigators and the Coconino County
Medical Examiner’s Office determined the person was a victim of homicide.

During the on-going investigation, a DNA sample was sent to a private forensic genealogy lab in May of 2021. In January 2023 analysis of the DNA sample connected the victim to a specific family tree, one member of which could not be located or accounted for. This family member was identified as David Clark Wilkinson and was known to frequent the Phoenix and Prescott areas in 2019 and 2020.

David was known to have been in northern Arizona prior to the body being located, and a missing persons flyer was issued in an attempt to find him. Shortly after releasing the missing persons flyer, additional DNA analysis was conducted and confirmed David Clark Wilkinson was the homicide victim in this case.

The investigation is ongoing, and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in this investigation.

In 2020, Wilkinson was a 56-year-old white male, approximately 5’11” and weighing 165lbs. He had graying hair, a graying beard and wore glasses. During the summer of 2020 Wilkinson may have been traveling with one or two dogs and was likely operating a white 1997 Toyota Paseo similar to the one pictured below.

It is believed he was camping in the Prescott National Forest and the Coconino National Forest and may have approached other campers in those areas.

Anyone who has information about this investigation or had contact with David Clark Wilkinson in the spring or summer of 2020 is asked to contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

Wilbur Fire remains at 10,279 acres

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CLINTS WELL — The Coconino National Forest resumed command of the lightning-caused 10,279-acre Wilbur Fire Thursday morning, June 22, which originated 8.5 miles west of Clints Well on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.

The Wilbur Fire is being managed with multiple strategies to meet objectives including the release of nutrients back into the soil and the reduction of hazardous fuel accumulations.

Objectives also include protecting critical infrastructure, watersheds, wildlife habitat and culturally sensitive areas from future catastrophic wildfires. Managing low-intensity wildfires such as this reduces the threat of catastrophic fire by reducing the accumulation of dead wood, pinecones, and pine needles, that would otherwise contribute to hotter and bigger fire behavior. This is part of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy recently announced by the Chief of the Forest Service.

All strategic firing operations have been successfully completed, and firefighters are utilizing previously improved holding features and roads to confine the wildfire to a predetermined area. Crews continue to patrol and monitor fire activity and work toward full containment, with current containment at 78 percent.

Suppression repair projects are underway, including mending fences and removing snags (dead standing trees) from high-use dispersed recreation areas and along roads. Smoke is visible at times as interior pockets of unburned forest fuels consume.

Night operations conclude Sunday night and early Monday morning with firefighters and the Arizona Department of Transportation remaining to monitor the fire perimeter and smoke conditions along highways and provide for public safety.

The Coconino National Forest has issued an area closure to protect public health and ensure firefighter safety. The full closure order and map are available online.

In the interest of public and firefighter safety, drivers are asked to travel with caution as fire crews will be entering and exiting roadways during operations.

As temperatures cool overnight smoke may linger in drainages and valleys until daytime winds surface.

Regular fire updates can be found on the Wilbur Fire Inciweb page until it is fully contained.

Fire weather watch issued for Tuesday

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FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHERN ARIZONA
Fire Weather Watch issued June 25 at 1:12PM MST until June 27 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Fire Weather Watch due to strong winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA…Locations near Alpine, Camp Verde, Chino Valley, Congress, Cottonwood, Paulden, Payson, Strawberry, Pinetop-Lakeside, Prescott, Sedona, Seligman, Show Low and Whiteriver. This includes portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Coconino National Forest, Kaibab National Forest, Prescott National Forest and Tonto National Forest.

* WINDS…Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 7 percent.

* IMPACTS…The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them.
Click HERE to sign up for Coconino County Emergency Notifications and alerts.

Afternoon thunderstorms bring light precipitation over Wilbur Fire

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CLINTS WELL – Afternoon thunderstorms moved over the Wilbur Fire yesterday during ignitions, where outflow winds drifted smoke down West Clear Creek into the Verde Valley and along portions of state Route 260.

Although light precipitation was received crews were able to continue with tactical firing operations throughout the operational shift enhancing holding features along the fire perimeter. Naturally-caused wildfires like the Wilbur Fire provide fire managers with great opportunities to treat the area removing accumulations of hazardous fuels. Reducing hazardous fuels will help reduce the threat of high-severity, high-intensity wildfire to the public, adjacent private property, and communities for future generations.

Yesterday firefighters continued with tactical firing operations progressing south along constructed holding features, Forest Road 142B and tying into FR 142, keeping the fire out of West Clear Creek. Operations will be similar to previous shifts where fire resources plan to patrol, monitor, and secure any areas of concern from previous days ignitions, continue with line prep and improve roadways with the use of heavy equipment throughout the planned fire area.

Temperatures are forecasted to be 79-82 degrees. Winds are expected to be from the south at 10-15 mph allowing for excellent ventilation where smoke can disperse out of the surrounding area. Enough moisture will remain over the fire site for a slight chance of afternoon and evening showers though Tuesday. Winds will generally be light at night with southerly breezes during the day.

The Wilbur Fire is burning in an area with an extensive road system that firefighters are using for travel and as control features. For public and firefighter safety, forest visitors should travel with caution as fire crews will be on roadways during operations.

Impacts from smoke can be expected to be light through the weekend and visible from multiple locations including the Verde Valley and along Lake Mary Road and state Routes 260 and 87. Smoke may linger in drainages and valleys overnight as nighttime temperatures cool and will do so until daytime winds surface.

Contact information and daily updates regarding the Wilbur Fire will continue to be posted on Inciweb.

Congratulations Lt. John Jamison and Lt. Adam Simonsen

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FLAGSTAFF – Congratulations to John Jamison and Adam Simonsen how have been selected to fill the two vacant Operations Lieutenant positions at the Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Jamison will lead the Flagstaff Patrol District and Lieutenant Simonsen will lead the Administrative Sergeant, Search and Rescue, and PIO/community programs areas.

Lt. Jamison and Lt. Simonsen sworn in by Sheriff Driscoll.

Lieutenant Jamison has an extensive career in law enforcement. Lieutenant Jamison has been with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office since 2006. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, John worked for the Williams Police Department for 14 years where he held several assignments, to include Police Officer, Detective, and Sergeant.

Lieutenant Jamison has 31 years of law enforcement experience, consisting of 5 years as a deputy/officer, 3 years as a detective, and 23 years as a Sergeant. As a deputy with CCSO, he was assigned to the Northern Arizona GIITEM Gang Task Force for 2 years. He was the community deputy in Munds Park where he forged partnerships with residents and professionals. He was a key part in starting the Munds Park Neighborhood Watch, which is still one of the most active Neighborhood Watch groups today. John took an innovative approach to addressing community concerns, which made a significant difference in the safety of the community.

Lieutenant Simonsen has been with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office since December of 2020. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, he worked for the Kingman Police Department for 11 years where he held several assignments, to include Police Officer, Detective, and K9 Officer. Prior to working for the Kingman Police Department, Lt. Simonsen worked as a Detention Officer for the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office for approximately 3 years, where he was promoted to Detention Corporal.

Lieutenant Simonsen has significant experience in several different areas. His training and certifications throughout his career include Bicycle Patrol Training, Supervisor/Leadership Training, General Instructor Certification, Field Training Officer, Taser Instructor, Basic and Advanced Forensic Interviewing, Criminal Interdiction School, K9 Handler School (Narcotics and Patrol), and Pepper Ball Instructor Training. While at the Kingman Police Department, Adam earned the Distinguished Service Award, Department Commendation, Officer of the Year, Lettie Crocker Award (Community Chosen Award), and the Good Conduct Award. Lt. Simonsen is also an Eagle Scout.

We look forward to Lieutenant Jamison and Lieutenant Simonsen’s continued Service to Community in their new role as Lieutenants in the Operations Division at the Sheriff’s Office.