Category Archives: Fredonia

Kaibab National Forest Seasonal Fire Positions Announced

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NOTE: A reader noted the error in this post. This post was, indeed, posted by misteak from an email error in our LOCAL email service. It was our fault. Thank you for catching the one mistake we make every three or four months in our zeal to help people find employment or to release other important information. It is comforting to know, however, that we can find our emails when so many cannot.
Updated 3/23/15 11:09

forestFREDONIA — The Forest Service is seeking individuals to fill the following fire positions on the North Kaibab Ranger District: fire lookouts, forestry technician/engines, and materials handler.

Apply at https://www.usajobs.gov/, and search by duty station location (Jacob Lake, Ariz.) to apply for these positions. Applications deadlines are Jan. 12, 2015.

For information about Forest Service employment, please visit http://go.usa.gov/taPk. For more information about the positions outlined above, please contact Dave Gesser at (928) 643-8151.

Efforts Underway to Rescue 20 NAU Staff and Students near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

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FREDONIA – On Monday, February 23, 2015 at about 1:00 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a representative of Northern Arizona University. According to the caller two NAU vans carrying sixteen students, two university staff members, and two graduate students/assistants were stuck by snow-covered, impassable dirt roads in the area of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The group had been camping for several days in the area of Sowats Point located outside of the Grand National Park. They attempted to drive out of the area yesterday afternoon when the vans became stuck in snow. Students and staff were able to free the vehicle; however, it was apparent to them that the dirt roads covered with deep snow were impassable. The area from Fredonia to the North Rim is reporting between 18-24” of snowfall from the most recent storm.

Sheriff’s Office personnel had intermittent contact with members of the party via cell phones and satellite texting. All members of the group are in good health with ample provisions and camping equipment to sustain them overnight. Due to the time of day and the weather conditions, the decision was made to have the group drive as far east as possible and to shelter in place inside the vehicles overnight. The group is approximately 30 miles south of Fredonia and 20 miles west of SR 67.

The Sheriff’s Office developed two rescue plans and coordinated with Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue. This morning an AZ DPS helicopter and crew from Flagstaff flew to the area to determine if members of the party can be safely picked up and flown out. Current conditions of low cloud cover, heavy fog and light snow may hamper this rescue approach. Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel will stand by with a snow cat and a four wheel drive vehicle equipped with mattracks. In the event that an air rescue is not possible, SAR personnel will drive to the location and transport them to safety.

At 12:57 p.m. today, the Arizona DPS helicopter pilot has surveyed the area on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon where the 20 NAU students and faculty are stranded at Sowats Point. He determined he can safely transport the stranded people out of area by air. Currently three of the students have been airlifted to the parking lot at Jacobs Lake where they were met by NAU transport vehicles. The students and factuality members will be flown three at a time until all members of the party have been safely relocated.

Fire equipment vendors invited to information session

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FREDONIA – The USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region announces an information meeting for vendors interested in providing resources to support wildfires and other emergency incidents. The meeting is scheduled Jan. 7, 2015, from 1 to 4 p.m. MST via video teleconference at Forest Service offices throughout Arizona.

The meeting will discuss a variety of topics including the following:

  • How to become a government vendor
  • How to locate and respond to solicitations through the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system
  • How to read and understand contract requirements for specific equipment

The Southwestern Region is seeking competitive quotations for the following resources for fiscal year 2015:

  • Miscellaneous Heavy Equipment (Feller Bunchers, Masticators, Road Graders, Skidders)
  • Mobile Laundry Units
  • Potable & Gray Water Trucks and Trailer-Mounted Handwashing Stations

Interested vendors can obtain copies of the solicitations at https://www.fbo.gov. Type VIPR into the keyword search box and press Search to obtain a list of VIPR solicitations from all over the country. Look for the ones from the Southwestern Region, Region 3.

Vendors can attend the meeting at the following Kaibab National Forest office location:

North Kaibab Ranger District
430 South Main, Fredonia, AZ
(928) 643-7395

Other Forest Service office locations in Arizona that will be hosting the session are as follows:

  • Apache-Sitgreaves NFs—Supervisor’s Office, 30 S. Chiricahua Drive, Springerville, AZ
  • Coconino NF — Supervisor’s Office, 1824 S. Thompson Street, Flagstaff, AZ
  • Prescott Fire Center, 2400 Melville Road, Prescott, AZ
  • Tonto NF—Supervisor’s Office, 2324 East McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ
  • Tucson Fire Center, 2646 E. Commerce Center Place, Tucson, AZ

 

For information about VIPR, go to http://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/vipr.php or contact Anne Weiskircher, Region 3 Fire Contracting Officer at aweiskircher@fs.fed.us.

North Zone Fire Managers Plan More Pile Burns

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forestFREDONIA – With the predicted onset of snow this weekend on the Kaibab Plateau, North Zone Fire Managers plan to begin preparations for burning hand piles at multiple locations across the North Kaibab Ranger District.

It is estimated that 100-200 acres of hand piles may be burned if weather conditions are agreeable.

Forest visitors should be aware that the planned treatment areas include Stina Point and the Dry Park Lookout area.

Generally, the pile burn season is an annual winter objective for fire crews to take advantage of snow conditions to burn piles and remove these fuels from the forest floor.

Fire managers will continue to monitor forecasts prior to igniting piles and burns will only be initiated if conditions are within established parameters for safe, effective fuel reduction treatments.

Weather conditions must allow for safe burning and the elimination of any threat of fire spreading to surrounding vegetation; pile burning will continue throughout the winter as weather permits.

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

For additional information regarding the North Kaibab Ranger District pile burns, contact the North Zone Fuels Specialist, Dave Robinson, at (928) 643-8138.

Male Subject Found Deceased Near Jolly Sink, North Kaibab Forest

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coco-sheriff-300pxFREDONIA – On September 13, 2014 deputies of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Northern District received a report of a suspicious abandoned vehicle near the Jolly Sink area on the North Kaibab National Forest. A deputy from the Fredonia Substation responded and with the help of a local rancher located a deceased male subject at the bottom of a nearby cliff near the vehicle. The Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division responded to investigate the scene. The male subject was identified as a white male in his mid-fifties from out of state. Release of the identity of the male is pending notification of family members. The incident is currently under investigation by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office as well as the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

North Kaibab Ranger District Personal-Use Fuelwood Cutting Season Ends Nov. 30

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FREDONIA – The North Kaibab Ranger District would like to remind residents that the 2014 Personal Use Fuelwood Cutting Season ends on November 30, 2014. All unused fuelwood cutting permits will not be valid afterward.

Permits are issued for dead and down (dead standing and downed trees) fuelwood cutting for all species. Permits are $5 per cord, with a four-cord minimum and 10-cord maximum purchase, and are available for purchase from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the North Kaibab Ranger District Office located at 430 S. Main St., Fredonia, AZ. 86022.

The district will resume the sale of wood cutting permits for the 2015 season in May 2015, pending appropriate weather conditions. Additional information on fuelwood permits is available by contacting the North Kaibab Ranger District office at (928) 643-7395.

Christmas Tree Tags Available For Kaibab Plateau Nov. 20

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FREDONIA – Christmas tree-cutting tags for the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest will go on sale Nov. 20, and trees may cut as soon as a tag has been purchased.

Tags cost $15 with a limit of one tree per household, and can be purchased at the North Kaibab Ranger District office in Fredonia or by mail. Christmas tree tags will not be sold at the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center this year.

The North Kaibab Ranger District office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office will also be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following select weekend days: Nov. 29, Dec. 6, and Dec. 13. Cash, check or credit card will be accepted.

Mail requests for Christmas tree tags should include the customer’s name, $15 and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Please do not mail cash. Address mail requests to:  Christmas Tree Coordinator, North Kaibab Ranger District, P.O. Box 248 / 430 South Main Street, Fredonia, Arizona 86022. Expect at least 7 days to receive a permit by mail.

Customers will receive a map that shows what areas are authorized for cutting. Tree species available include: Blue and Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir, Subalpine and White fir, Pinyon and Ponderosa pine, and Utah and Rocky Mountain juniper.

Please be advised that the Arizona Department of Transportation typically closes the winter gate on Highway 67 at Jacob Lake in early December; however, the exact date has not been announced. For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at az511.gov, follow us on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 5-1-1. Visitors can access cutting areas via forest roads, and are urged to monitor weather conditions as most roads on the district are not paved.

For more information, please contact the North Kaibab Ranger District at (928) 643-7395.

Ignitions Begin Today on Oquer Rx

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640-OquerFREDONIA – As weather conditions continue to present ideal conditions for prescribed burning on the North Kaibab Ranger District, North Zone fire managers are preparing to implement a prescribed fire treatment on the Oquer project today.

The Oquer project is 3,541 acres in size and is located within the central portion of the district. The unit is bound by Forest Service Road (FSR) 761 on the north/northwest side, FSR 418F on the southwest side, FSR 418B on the south/southeast side and FSR 1025 to 1025B to 761Y on the northeast side, and is predominately comprised of ponderosa pine and mixed conifer with scattered clumps of aspen.

Objectives specific to this season’s prescribed treatments include improving a defensible space in the Wildland/Urban Interface within the North Kaibab Ranger District developed areas, expediting the development of northern goshawk habitat, increasing landscape resilience to wildfire, insects and disease, returning fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem, improving forest health and sustainability and enhancing public safety.

During these prescribed treatments, visitors may see fire personnel and fire vehicles in the vicinity when any prescribed fire is being implemented. Visitors should drive slowly, turn on headlights, and avoid stopping in areas where fire personnel are working.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and appropriate weather conditions. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorized for any given day, visit http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html.

Primary 2014 done deal. For the most part.

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Arizona-electsSTATEWIDE – Republicans have selected Doug Ducey to represent them in the governors race. John Huppenthal will no longer be the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It appears that Tom Horne has lost his race to Mark Bronovich. Tom Forese and Doug Little will probably be the the Republican candidates for Arizona Corporation Commission.

Michele Reagan will face former Attorney General Terry Goddard for the position of Secretary of State in the General Election.

In Coconino County elections voter turnout matched the predicted 25% with 25.72% of voters turning out to vote. As of 10:25 70 of 71 precints in the county reported.

Coconino County voted for Andy Tobin to represent them with 2,880 votes to 1986 votes for Gary Kiehne with 68 of 71 precincts reporting. Adam Kwasman received 1,308 of the 6,218 votes counted. Throughout the rest of the Congressional District 1, however, the numbers change drastically. As of this writing, the only race left is for Congressional District 1 where 14 votes separate Andy Tobin and Gary Kiehne. with 125 precints yet to report. This is basically the only race that has not been called.

Coconino selected Doug Ducey with Christine Jones coming in second by 2,262 to 1,555 votes respectively. Scott Smith came in fourth with Ken Bennett beating him out by 33 votes for third place. Doug Ducey, of course, has already been declared the Republican Candiadate for governor statewide.

The late Senator Chester Crandell will win the nomination for Senator for Legislative District 6. However Sylvia Allen will be the candidate for the seat. Currently she runs unopposed as there are no Democrats or official write-in candidates facing her. The only opposition she would have is if a write-in files.

There is no surprise that Brenda Barton and Bob Thorpe are the Republican nominees for State Representative for LD-6, but they will be opposed by Democrat Lanny Morrison.

In Flagstaff, Celia Barotz leads the Council race with 21.33% of the vote followed by Eva Putzova with 18.03% and Jim McCarthy in third with 15.10% of the vote. Scott Overton is followed by Charlie Odegaard 12.96% to 12.20% respectively.

Sandra J. Moriarity has won over Cliff Hamilton for the Mayor of Sedona with with 407 votes to 373 votes and both precints reporting. For council Angela Lefevre leads the race with 24.8% of the vote followed by John Thompson with 18.71%. Scott Jablow took third place with 16.60% of the vote. Rio Robson took 12.48% of the vote with the rest of the candidates receiving less than 10% each.

In Tusayan Bill Fitzgerald has taken 27.74% of the vote for council member. John Rueter has 24.52% of the vote, Craig Sanderson 20.65% and Rebecca Wirth 19.35%.

Since Proposition 402 passed in Williams, John Moore is declared re-elected for Mayor with the three councilmen; Donald Dent, Bernie Hiemenz and Lee Payne.

In the race for Justice of the Peace in Williams, incumbent Robert Krombeen won 615 votes to 360 votes for contender Jeff Brownlee. The Justice of the Peace race in Flagstaff appears to have gone to Howard Grodman with 53.89% of the vote agains Warren Sanford’s 45.79% of the vote.

In Sedona, Proposition 429 passed 499 votes to 237. Proposition 401 passed in Tusayan 36 to 24 votes. Proposition 400 in the Town of Fredonia passed 86 to 36.

Lightning caused wildfires burning in the Kaibab

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Managed fires were started yesterday to combat Sitgreaves and Duck fires. View from I-40

Managed fires were started yesterday to combat Sitgreaves and Duck fires. View from I-40

PARKS/TUSAYAN/FREDONIA – The Williams area is experiencing the first fires of the season. The Sitgreaves and Duck fires are located in the area of Parks and the McRae fire is located in the Tusayan Ranger District. The fires are lightning caused. The Quaking fire, reported today, is burning near Fredonia in the North Kaibab Ranger District. The forest service has identified areas in which the fires may spread and are conducting preventative managed burns.

Sitgreaves fire visible from Williams.

Sitgreaves fire visible from Williams.

In the Williams Ranger District, the Sitgreaves Fire is 350 acres located five-miles northwest of Parks. Aerial ignitions are being used to prevent the spread of the fire into areas identified by the forest service. The Duck fire located three-miles northwest of Parks has grown to 324 acres and is being monitored by fire crews. Some beneficial fires may be started to reduce standing densities to reduce the threat of high intensity wildfire. Smoke from both fires are visible from I-40.

“With recent deep moisture, we feel confident in a quick transition from extreme fire danger and the associated full suppression fire management strategies to managing natural fire to benefit our resources” says District Fire Management Officer, James Pettit.

The Tusayan Ranger District is fighting the 1500-acre McRae fire is located about five-miles southeast of Tusayan and smoke may be visible from State Route 64. While varying monsoonal precipitation and winds are likely to change fire behavior and growth over the next several days, general fire behavior is anticipated to be low intensity with 6-12 inch flame lengths. Crews are planning 500-acres of managed ignitions as needed within the planning area.

About eighty fire fighters are engaged in these three fires.

The 27-acre Quaking fire is located approximately 40 miles southeast of Fredonia in the North Kaibab Ranger District. There is no information as to the cause. Today crews are planning managed ignitions as needed along FSRs 271 and 206. No smoke impacts are anticipated at this time.