Category Archives: Williams

Ramp closures on Interstate 40 in Williams set for next week

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WILLIAMS – Northern Arizona drivers on Interstate 40 west of Flagstaff should plan for travel delays due to construction work between Parks and Williams. Crews have scheduled ramp closures and lane closures while a new layer of asphalt pavement is placed on 17 miles of east- and westbound I-40 between Parks and Williams this summer. The project also includes a final layer of asphalt, known as friction course, to further improve the roadway surface, and installation of guardrail, striping and signage. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2019.

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for travel delays while these ramp closures are in place:

  • The westbound I-40 on-ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard (exit 163) will be closed Monday, June 3, through Tuesday, June 11. DETOUR: Westbound I-40 traffic accessing Williams will exit at Country Club Boulevard (Exit 161) and enter eastbound I-40 to exit at Grand Canyon Boulevard.
  • The westbound I-40 on-ramp at Parks (Exit 178) will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 5. DETOUR: Traffic from Parks accessing westbound I-40 will take eastbound I-40 to Bellemont (Exit 185) and re-enter westbound I-40 toward their destination.
  • The eastbound I-40 on-ramp at Parks (Exit 178) will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6. DETOUR: Traffic from Parks accessing eastbound I-40 will travel westbound I-40 to Pittman Valley Road (Exit 171) and re-enter eastbound I-40 toward their destination.
  • The westbound I-40 off-ramp at Parks (Exit 178) will also be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6. DETOUR: Westbound I-40 traffic accessing Parks will continue to Pittman Valley Road (Exit 171) and re-enter eastbound I-40 to Parks.
  • The westbound off-ramp at SR 64 (Exit 165) will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 7. DETOUR: Westbound I-40 traffic accessing SR 64 will continue to Grand Canyon Boulevard (Exit 163) and re-enter eastbound I-40 to SR 64.

Williams and Tusayan Ranger District offices to offer limited services May 30 – 31

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WILLIAMS – The Williams and Tusayan Ranger District offices of the Kaibab National Forest will offer limited public services on Thursday, May 30, and Friday, May 31, due to scheduled training for front desk staff members.

While both offices will remain open for general public information, services such as the issuance of permits, passes and maps will not be available on the two identified dates. Specific services and products that will not be available include firewood, cinder, and other forest product permits; interagency and other recreation passes and permits; map sales; and any transaction requiring the issuance of official permit documentation.

All normal services offered through the Williams and Tusayan Ranger District offices will resume on Monday, June 3. Forest managers recognize that the limited services on May 30 and 31 may cause inconvenience and appreciate the public’s patience as employees receive critical training.

Kaibab National Forest information is 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

Work on Interstate 40 in Williams rescheduled because of wintry weather

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WILLIAMS – Unseasonably cold weather has temporarily delayed work on Interstate 40 between Parks and Williams in northern Arizona. Crews had been scheduled to complete work at the Grand Canyon Boulevard westbound off-ramp prior to Memorial Day weekend. Because of inclement weather, the work is now scheduled to progress through next week.

The following I-40 ramp closures and detours have been rescheduled so crews can reconstruct the westbound on- and off- ramps at Grand Canyon Boulevard. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to plan for travel delays while these closures are in place:

  • Crews will keep the westbound I-40 off-ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard closed through Friday, May 31. DETOUR: Westbound I-40 traffic accessing Williams will exit at Country Club Boulevard (Exit 161) and enter eastbound I-40 to exit at Grand Canyon Boulevard.
  • Crews will close the westbound I-40 on-ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard from 6 a.m. Monday, June 3, through Monday, June 10, at 6 p.m. DETOUR: Southbound Grand Canyon Boulevard traffic that needs to access westbound I-40 should use eastbound I-40 to State Route 64 (Exit 165) and use the interchange to turn around.

The eastbound and westbound I-40 ramps at Grand Canyon Boulevard will NOT be closed at the same time.

No work is scheduled over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The project schedule still calls for a new layer of asphalt pavement on 17 miles of east- and westbound I-40 between Parks and Williams this summer. The project also includes a final layer of asphalt, known as friction course, to further improve the roadway surface, and installation of guardrail, striping and signage. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2019.

Run For The Wall continuing on to Washington

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A mile of motorcycles line route 66 as the riders of Run For The Wall prepare to continue their trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D. C.

WILLIAMS – The motorcycle riders of Run For The Wall travel from California to Washington D. C. to muster at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall on Memorial Day. Their ride is intended to bring attention to the fact that there are still Prisoners of War (POW) and others Missing in Action (MIA) from wars and conflicts that America has been involved in.

Veterans of Run For The Wall gather in the morning at Wild West Junction for breakfast, snacks and other gifts from the community of Williams.

There are three routes this group takes and the Central Route stops the first night in Williams each year. They are fed dinner by volunteers in the community who assist the American Legion Cordova Post #13. In the morning, volunteers from the community turn out to provide breakfast, snacks and gifts from the City of Williams.

Local high school volunteers and other members of the community turn out to bid a safe journey to the riders.

Each year more people turn out to see the motorcade down Route 66 and welcome the Veteran riders. Each year new, younger veterans take the place of aging Vietnam veterans who are passing or can no longer ride. They continue the tradition of Riding for those who can’t.

Mayor John Moore, who supports the efforts of these Veterans every year, greets the riders of Run For The Wall.


Run For The Wall was started by James Gregory and Carl Rice at the behest of Marion Shelton, wife of Colonel Charle Shelton the last “official” prisoner of war from Vietnam. From humble efforts, the first R4TW left San Diego in May of 1989. Out of the 115 motorcycles in the first effort, only 15 made it all the way to the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall. Now hundreds make the journey on the three routes.

Plan for I-40 ramp closures in Williams west of Flagstaff

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WILLIAMS — Northern Arizona drivers who use Interstate 40 are advised to plan for travel delays as crews return to complete paving, bridge and intersection work between Parks and Williams.

The following I-40 ramp closures and detours are scheduled while crews reconstruct the on- and off- ramps at Grand Canyon Boulevard:

  • Monday, May 13, from 6 a.m. to noon, crews will close the eastbound on-ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard to complete guardrail work. DETOUR: Grand Canyon Boulevard traffic accessing eastbound I-40 traffic will head westbound on I-40 to exit at Country Club Road (exit 161) and enter eastbound I-40.
  • Thursday, May 16, through Wednesday, May 22, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., crews will close the westbound I-40 off-ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard. DETOUR: Westbound I-40 traffic accessing Williams will exit at Country Club Boulevard (exit 161) and enter eastbound I-40 to exit at Grand Canyon Boulevard.
  • Tuesday, May 28, through Tuesday, June 4, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., crews will close the westbound I-40 on-ramp at Grand Canyon Boulevard. DETOUR: Southbound Grand Canyon Boulevard traffic will use westbound historic Route 66 and enter westbound I-40 at Country Club Boulevard (exit 161).

The eastbound and westbound I-40 ramps at Grand Canyon Boulevard will NOT be closed at the same time or over Memorial Day weekend.

In early summer, crews will put down new asphalt on 17 miles of I-40 in both directions between Parks and Williams. The project also includes a final layer of asphalt, known as friction course, to further improve the roadway surface, as well as installation of guardrail, striping and signage. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2019.

Motorists should allow extra travel time and plan for possible delays while work is underway.

For more information, please visit the project website.

Rain and cool weather moving in

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WILLIAMS – The overcast skies and cooler temperatures late in the day are from moisture moving into the area. It will continue to cool off and bring thundershowers through Sunday.

Monday it is expected to be mostly sunny with a high of 64-degrees and an overnight low of about 36.

On Tuesday the high will drop 10-degrees to 54 with a 70% chance of rain and some lightning activity likely. The chance of showers drops to 20% overnight with a low of 37-degrees.

On Wednesday, there is an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. with a high near 57. Wednesday night there is a 50% chance of thunderstorms before 11 p.m. dropping to 20% after that.

On Thursday there is a 60% chance of showers during the day dropping to 30% chance overnight. A high of 58 during the day dropping to 37 overnight.

The long-range forecast shows this pattern continuing through Sunday. Winds are expected to average about 15-mph during the period.

Fire guts home in Williams

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WILLIAMS – Three fire engines were called in to fight a fire at 418 5th Street in Williams that started about 5:45. Units from the Williams Police and Coconino County Sheriff’s Department responded for traffic control.The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. There are reports that the family members are okay, but they lost one of the family dogs. The house was totally gutted.



Wet day Monday, then back to 70s

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WILLIAMS – Rain is moving into the area tonight which might produce some beautiful sunsets. Unfortunately it brings with it some relatively high winds through Tuesday.

There is a 20% chance of showers tonight after 11 p.m. with winds of 7 to 15-mph gusting to 22-mph. On Monday, showers are likely with thunderstorms possible after 11 a.m. Winds are expected to increase to 13 to 18 mph with gusts as high as 33-mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

On Tuesday there is a 20% chance of showers with southwest winds of 9 to 17-mph with gusts as high as 29.

It should clear Tuesday night with temperatures rising back up to the 70s by Friday.

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