Category Archives: Prescott

Fire Restrictions Elevated to Stage 2 Across All National Forest and Coconino County

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions across the entire forest on June 11 at 8 a.m. due to increasing fire danger and the need to prevent human-caused wildfires during potentially dangerous fire conditions.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions also go into effect in the Coconino and Prescott Forests and Coconino County.

A temporary area closer order will also be implemented to protect the Bill Williams Mountain watershed just southwest of the City of Williams due to the area’s susceptibility to uncharacteristically severe wildfire and the post-wildfire flooding that would potentially result.

STAGE 2 PROHIBITIONS:

1. Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.

THE FOLLOWING ACTS ARE PROHIBITED FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M.:

3. Operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting during industrial operations or firewood gathering capable of igniting a fire.
4. Using an explosive.
5. Blasting, welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame.

EXEMPTIONS:

1. Persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.
2. Persons operating generators with an approved spark arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the generator.

CLOSURE AREA:

The restricted area in the Bill Williams Mountain Closure consists of all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundary beginning at the junction of County Road (CR) 73 and eastbound Old Route 66 in the City of Williams, then traveling south along CR 73 to its junction with Forest Road (FR)122, then following FR 122 west to its junction with FR 108, then following FR 108 north to its junction with I-40, then following I-40 east to the junction with Old Route 66 at the Country Club exit, then following Old Route 66 east, back to the point of beginning at its junction with CR 73, as depicted in Exhibit A of Order Number 03-07-21-13.

Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions.

These decisions normally occur when fire danger levels are very high and the potential for wildfire occurrences significantly increase. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include carefully measuring current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought, and available firefighting resources. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the forests receive significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded, and the public notified.

Additional restrictions may be applied as conditions warrant. More information about the different stages of fire restrictions can be found on line at: bit.ly/KNF-FireRestrictions

Know Before You Go! The public can obtain current state and federal fire restrictions information across Arizona at wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions, and at the Coconino County website at: www.coconino.az.gov/firerestrictions

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions begin Friday at 8 a.m. on national forests

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FLAGSTAFF/WILLIAMS/PRESCOTT — On Friday May 14, 2021 at 8 a.m. the entire Kaibab, Coconino and Prescott National Forest will enter Stage 1 campfire and smoking restrictions in an effort to protect public health by reducing the number of preventable human-caused wildfires.

Under 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.

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. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest lands.

Fire restrictions are implemented 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, fire activity levels, enduring drought, and available firefighting resources.

Additional restrictions may be applied as conditions warrant. More information about the different stages of fire restrictions can be found on line at: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/fire/?cid=stelprd3802396

Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the forests receive significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded, and the public notified.

Forest officials would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the national forest while under fire restrictions is a violation that can carry a mandatory appearance in federal court. Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands during fire season.

Know Before You Go! The public can obtain current state and federal fire restrictions information across Arizona on the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention and Information website, and at the Coconino County website at: www.coconino.az.gov/firerestrictions

Horse Fire in Bradshaw Mountains near Crown King started Thursday.

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PRESCOTT — The Horse Fire, 7-miles NW of Crown King and 18 miles south of Prescott in the Prescott National Forest grew 3,500 acres over this evening. The fire started Thursday and the cause is under investigation.

Airtankers and helicopters were essential in slowing the spread of the fire as firefighters gained access. The fire is in a remote section of the forest with steep, rugged terrain. The strategy for the Horse fire is full suppression as crews continue to use aircraft to slow the rate of spread and scout for holding features to use as containment lines.

Goodwin, Senator Highway at Palace Station, and County Road 59 from Cleator have been closed.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Code Red ‘Go’ for the communities of Crown King, Minnehaha, Horsethief Cabins and any private inholdings in and around the fire area. There are evacuations currently in effect. For information on the Code Red alerts issued you can visit the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for updates or call (928) 771-3321 or to sign up for Code Red notifications visit Yavapai County Code Red Notification.

Plan for overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A in Prescott Valley and Prescott May 31-June 4

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers in the Prescott area to plan for overnight lane restrictions on State Route 89A between Fain Road (milepost 325) and State Route 89 (milepost 317) while crews complete fog seal work, which protects and extends the life of the pavement.

Motorists should allow extra travel time, be prepared to slow down and use caution around construction personnel and equipment while the following restrictions are in place:

North- and southbound SR 89A will be narrowed to one lane in each direction overnight from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 31 through Thursday, June 4.

With state highways essential to delivering goods and services, ADOT, its employees and its contractor partners are dedicated to delivering transportation improvement projects during the current public health situation. To learn more, please visit azdot.gov/covid-19-resource-center.

Last chance: Space still available for “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” workshop

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PRESCOTT — There are still a few spots available for the “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” (BOW) workshop on September 6-8 at Friendly Pines Camp near Prescott.

The program introduces women to outdoors skills in an enjoyable, non-threatening environment with expert instructors. Classes include horsemanship, rappelling, wilderness medicine, birding, hiking, archery, fly and warmwater fishing, paddling a kayak, and shotgun/rifle/pistol shooting, among more than 30 others.

Evenings and mornings are filled with fun and entertainment, including bird walks, yoga, fly tying, night fishing and presentations. Participants stay in rustic cabins, but there are showers and bathrooms in each cabin, and a central dining hall for meals.

Class materials, food and lodging are all included in the $275 registration fee (horsemanship and ropes challenge are $50 extra each).

The program is sponsored by the Arizona Wildlife Federation in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

For more information and to register, visit https://azwildlife.org/bow or contact Kim at (480) 201-7456 or Linda at (623) 979-4612.

ADOT to reschedule State Route 89 closure in Prescott

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PRESCOTT – The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers who use State Route 89 in Prescott that overnight road closures scheduled to begin Thursday, January 3, have been postponed because of weather conditions. ADOT will announce the updated work schedule when it becomes available.

Work was scheduled to occur in conjunction with the ongoing project to widen and improve SR 89 between Deep Well Ranch Road and SR 89A. Learn more about the project at azdot.gov/SR89DeepWellRanch.

Lane and ramp restrictions set at State Route 89 and State Route 89A in Prescott beginning December 11

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for the following restrictions while electrical-conduit installation work continues on State Route 89 and 89A in Prescott:

  • The southbound SR 89A on-ramp at SR 89 will be reduced to one lane of alternating travel from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, and Wednesday, December 12. Drivers should consider using Deep Well Ranch Road to Willow Creek Road as an alternate route.
  • Law enforcement will be assisting with traffic control.
  • A 12-foot vehicle-width restriction will be in place.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel equipment.

Learn more and sign up to receive project alerts by email on the project webpage azdot.gov/SR89DeepWellRanch

Arizona Department of Transportation and local agencies plan to improve State Route 89A corridor

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PRESCOTT – The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and partnering agencies including the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization and Yavapai County are conducting a transportation planning study along State Route 89A from State Route 89 to east of Robert Road. The purpose of the study is to identify potential transportation improvements for the next 20 years as housing and commercial developments are anticipated to increase traffic volumes in the area.

ADOT will host a public meeting regarding the study on Tuesday, December 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Town of Prescott Valley Public Library located at 7401 E. Civic Circle, Prescott Valley, Arizona, 86314. A brief presentation will start at 6:15 p.m. followed by an open-house setting that will allow participants to speak directly with ADOT representatives. The public is encouraged to attend and provide comments.

Learn more about the study at:www.azdot.gov/SR89RobertRoadStudy . If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to comment, you can do so before Dec. 31 in the following ways:

By telephone: 855.712.8530
By email:Projects@azdot.gov
In writing: State Route 89A Study, 206 S. 17th Avenue, MD310B, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. Persons who require a reasonable accommodation based on language or disability should contact Michele Beggs at 928.681.6054 or MBeggs@azdot.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to ensure the State has an opportunity to address the accommodation.

AZGFD offers reward for information about two cases of mule deer poached near Prescott

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PRESCOTT – — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is seeking information about two poaching cases that both involve mule deer bucks near Prescott.

In the first instance, a 3×4 mule deer buck was found at a cattle water tank off Old Black Canyon Highway near the Stoneridge Community in Prescott Valley.

The second case involves a small buck that was wrapped in a trash bag and found alongside Iron King Road in Dewey.

AZGFD officials say both animals were killed the week of Oct. 16. The department offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest, and up to $1,000 may be awarded for each of these poaching cases.

“We want to know if anyone in the area saw or heard anything that may be related to the poaching of either of these bucks,” said Dennis Fogle, an AZGFD wildlife manager. “Poachers are not hunters — they steal one of Arizona’s most precious natural resources.”

The department’s Operation Game Thief program encourages anyone with information about these cases or the illegal take of wildlife in Arizona to call its 24/7 hotline at (800) 352-0700 or visit www.azgfd.gov/ogt. Callers can remain anonymous upon request. Money for rewards comes from donations, court fines and civil restitution by violators who commit wildlife crimes.

Anyone with information about the poaching of either of these animals should refer to case #17-4100 for the mule deer that was shot in the neck and case #17-004107 for the small buck found in the trash bag.

Bradshaw Ranger District reports some success in Goodwin Fire

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PRESCOTT – The 25,714 acre Goodwin Fire centered 14 miles south of Prescott is 44% contained as of today. The fire started June 24 at about 4 P.M. and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Some evacuations have been lifted.

Fire crews constructed a large amount of fireline yesterday in a critical part of the fire on top of Big Bug Mesa. After reviewing the day’s accomplishment, Operations Section Chief, Todd Abel, said “We are setup for success”.

Bulldozers will continue to create contingency firelines north of the fire, today, in order to protect Dewey in the event the fire moves across existing firelines.

Crews will continue mopping up where the fire burned along the SR69 side of the fire. Firefighters will also start rehabilitating firelines and removing equipment in areas where the fire has been contained. Crews will be patrolling these areas of the fire and will remain in place to protect Breezy Pine Canyon and Pine Flat.

Slightly stronger winds from the southwest are expected today. The fire continues to move very slowly into sparse vegetation located in an old fire scar. The fire only grew by 472 acres yesterday.

As of 10 a.m. this morning, evacuation orders were lifted for Blue Hills and Upper Blue Hills where power has been restored. The evacuation of Dewey/Humboldt all areas west of SR 69 south to mile post 280 has also been lifted, but west Poland Junction remains under evacuation. The Blue Hills/Upper Blue Hills area has fire suppression sprinklers that were installed by firefighters in various portions of the community. Please keep these areas clear and allow fire officials access to do their work.

SR 69 – west side from Grapevine Road north to Milepost 280, Poland Junction- west side, Pine Flat, Breezy Pines, Walker, Potato Patch, Mount Union, Mountain Pine Acres still remains under mandatory evacuation.

Although some evacuations have been lifted and roads reopened, property owners are urged to remain vigilant and monitor fire news. There is still active fire behavior, particularly in the northern portion of the fire, and conditions can change easily if impacted by high wind events. For additional information regarding evacuations and pre-evacuations please call the Yavapai County Emergency Operation Center at (928) 442-5103, 7am – 7pm.