Category Archives: Williams

Kaibab National Forest and Williams Fire Department respond to Prairie Dog Fire

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest and Williams Fire Department are responding to the 2-acre Prairie Dog Fire located just north of Interstate 40 about a mile east of the City of Williams and west of Highway 64.

Due to the potential for the wildfire to grow, the Williams Police Department is evacuating Kaibab Lake Campground and asking visitors to stay clear of the area while fire suppression efforts continue. No additional structures are threatened at this time.

Fire resources on scene include five engines, one dozer, two water tenders and several individual firefighting personnel. The Flagstaff Hotshot crew is en route and a helicopter has arrived.

The wildfire began on private property and has moved onto the Kaibab National Forest. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.

Rain in the future

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In case you forgot, rain looks something like this.

WILLIAMS — According to the long-range forecast, moisture may move into the area next Friday. Williams and Flagstaff have a 20-percent chance of rain starting Friday morning and continuing through Saturday night. The chance of rain increases to 30-percent Sunday morning.

Whether or not it will be enough to break the drought remains to be seen.

Stage II fire restrictions and Bill Williams Mountain closure remain in effect on Kaibab National Forest despite recent rain

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WILLIAMS — While the Kaibab National Forest received some rain over the weekend, forest managers would like to remind visitors that fire danger levels continue to be elevated and that Stage II fire restrictions as well as an area closure of the Bill Williams Mountain watershed will remain in place until much more significant and widespread precipitation is received.

Officials emphasize that the Kaibab National Forest is still at the height of its fire season and that northern Arizona continues to have the potential for large, severe wildfires. The Kaibab National Forest needs the public’s continued support in preventing unwanted, human-caused wildfires.

“We have had excellent compliance with the fire restrictions and area closure that are already in place on the Kaibab National Forest,” said Jerry Parker, Forest Service law enforcement officer. “Members of the public can continue to do their part in protecting our forests by remaining vigilant and abiding by all fire restrictions and area closures.”

The Forest Service uses fire restrictions and closures to help prevent unwanted, human-caused wildfires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions.

Forest officials remind visitors that having a campfire on the National Forest while under fire restrictions is a violation of law requiring a mandatory appearance in federal court and consequent fines and possible jail time. Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands during times of the year when fire danger is increased.

For detailed information about the Stage II fire restrictions and the area closure of the Bill Williams Mountain watershed currently in effect on the Kaibab National Forest, reference the following sources:

Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
Arizona Fire Restrictions: firerestrictions.us/az

Happy Flag Day and Honor America Days

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But let it be admitted, for argument’s sake, that mere wantonness and lust of domination would be sufficient to beget that disposition; still it may be safely affirmed, that the sense of the constituent body of the national representatives, or, in other words, the people of the several States, would control the indulgence of so extravagant an appetite. It will always be far more easy for the State governments to encroach upon the national authorities than for the national government to encroach upon the State authorities. The proof of this proposition turns upon the greater degree of influence which the State governments if they administer their affairs with uprightness and prudence, will generally possess over the people; a circumstance which at the same time teaches us that there is an inherent and intrinsic weakness in all federal constitutions; and that too much pains cannot be taken in their organization, to give them all the force which is compatible with the principles of liberty. — Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Paper No. 17

Happy Flag Day, Flag Week and Honor America Days? The Stars and Stripes line the streets of Williams, today, in honor of the event.

President Donald Trump issued the annual proclamation making June 14 flag day and this week Flag Week.

It happens to be President Trump’s birthday.

It also happens to be the beginning of Honor America Days. Honor America Days are a United States Federal Observance observed June 14 to July 4. According to 36 U.S.C. § 112, the 21 days from Flag Day through Independence Day is a period to honor the United States. On these days, U.S. Congress declares that there be public gatherings and activities during that period at which the people of the United States can celebrate and honor their country in an appropriate way.

If you have not heard about Honor America Days that is probably because the Department of Education forbids teaching Patriotic holidays. It does not show up on your calendar. It should, however.

There are a few who actually recognize the holidays. Rome, New York, for example, celebrates with a parade and a 5K Run.

Fort Stanwix honored one of their seasonal rangers who served in Afghanistan at their Honor America Days concert in 2007.

Of course kids can always think on their own. You can take time to read the Constitution of the United States of America. Take a look at the unalienable Bill of Rights. This link will take you to the Bill of Rights as originally written. There were twelve but only ten were approved. WARNING: Your eyes might be opened to how much of your liberty has been eroded. You can even read the Federalist Papers with particular emphasis on Federalist Paper No. 29.

You can read them on your iPad.

Setting out water and food attracts more than you think

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WILLIAMS – In the area around Williams people have water out for animals. Some put out water for their stock and pets and some for wildlife. This week, one local resident got a surprise.

The resident set water out for deer and elk. Wednesday of last week he came to his home about three miles south on Perkinsville road to discover drag marks across his driveway. A deer carcass was dragged into and laying in the grass alongside the driveway.He set up his trail camera. He caught this image of what killed the deer in the first place.

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The deer was apparently attracted to the water and the lion attacked from behind a large pine. When the resident came home, he apparently scared the lion away. The lion returned to finish his meal in the night. Fortunately this lion still retained a healthy fear of humans.

AZGF warns against setting food and water out for animals. Some people have enough acreage to put out water for wildlife a fairly safe distance from their home. Some with livestock have to leave water out for their animals. With the recent drought conditions, however, that also attracts predators.

If you do or must leave water out, take care when you step outside to take in the cool night air. Scan the area carefully. Remember that your cats and small dogs make meals for these predators. Feed your animals inside and do not leave food out for them in town.

Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon National Park to implement additional fire restrictions starting this Friday

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FREDONIA — The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service will implement additional fire restrictions, also known as Stage II fire restrictions, across the North Kaibab Ranger District, and the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon of Grand Canyon National Park beginning at 8 a.m. this Friday. Visitors should be mindful that these new fire restrictions will limit certain activities and will remain in effect until rescinded, which typically occurs after significant and widespread moisture arrives and fire danger levels subside.

As a reminder, the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts are already in Stage II fire restrictions and will also remain in effect until lifted.

Under the Stage II fire restrictions to be implemented Friday across the North Kaibab Ranger District, the following are prohibited:

  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, including fires in developed campgrounds and improved sites.
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
  • Discharging a firearm except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations.
  • Operating chainsaws or any internal combustion engine between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Welding or operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame.
  • Using an explosive (It is always illegal to use any explosives or fireworks on National Forest lands).

Under the Stage II fire restrictions to be implemented Friday across Grand Canyon National Park, the following are prohibited:

  • All wood burning and charcoal fires, campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbecues will be prohibited throughout the Park. The restriction encompasses the entire Park including all campgrounds and residential areas to include: Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Campground and Indian Garden Campground.
  • Park stores will not sell firewood during this time.
  • These restrictions include all backcountry permit holders and thru-hikers.

Exemptions to the Stage II fire restrictions on the North Kaibab Ranger District include the following:

  • Using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
  • Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the generator.
  • Operating motorized vehicles in compliance with the Kaibab National Forest’s Travel Management regulations. Parking off any road must be in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the vehicle.

Exemptions to the Stage II fire restrictions on Grand Canyon National Park include the following:

  • Pressurized liquid gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters with shut-off devices are allowed.
  • Boats within the Colorado River corridor are exempted from the Stage II restriction.

 

On the Kaibab Plateau, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service fire managers work together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program. Here North Zone Fire Managers use fire restrictions 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. These factors include but are not limited to the following:

  • Current and predicted weather patterns
  • Fuel moistures, a variety of science-based indices, and fire activity levels
  • Available firefighting resources
  • Additional restrictions may be applied anytime conditions warrant

On National Forest Lands, fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area covered by the restrictions receives significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded. However, Grand Canyon National Park operates under Stage I Fire Restrictions year round, except in certain circumstances where fire managers must increase to Stage II fire restrictions because the criteria listed above dictates a need to do so.

Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands when fire danger is increased. Fire managers would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the National Forest or National Park while under fire restrictions is a violation of law requiring a mandatory appearance in federal court, consequent fines, and possible jail time.

As a reminder, these fire restrictions apply to the entire Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park. Additionally, many city, state, and county agencies implement similar restrictions, so members of the public should check with the appropriate agency on any restrictions applying to privately-owned property or other lands not within the jurisdictional boundaries of any Federal Land Management Agency.

Know Before You Go! Members of the public can find additional information through the following:

Interstate 40 ramp closures in place between Parks and Williams in northern Arizona

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Drivers in northern Arizona are advised to plan for travel delays on Interstate 40 because of traffic realignment and ramp closures at Parks, Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads. Crews are repairing 17 miles of pavement on I-40 between Parks and Williams. The project also includes making bridge deck repairs at Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads.

Beginning Monday, June 4, I-40 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between mileposts 178 and 179, near the Parks exit, while crews begin to reconstruct the travel lanes. The Parks exit will remain open throughout this work.

Through July, the westbound I-40 on- and off-ramps at Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads will be closed and traffic is being detoured to the Parks and Williams exits. In mid-July, the westbound on- and off-ramps at Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads will reopen and the westbound on- and off-ramp and eastbound on-ramp at the Parks exit will be close with traffic detoured to Pittman Valley Road through early August. Drivers must follow signed detour routes.

Crews are completing work on westbound I-40 between Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley roads first, then moving to eastbound I-40 in the same area in early summer.  Construction will pause for the winter season and is scheduled to resume in spring 2019 for additional paving, bridge and intersection work. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2019.

What to expect

  • Crews are scheduled to work Mondays through Fridays from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Lane closures and restrictions will be required
  • Ramp closures at Parks, Garland Prairie Road and Pittman Valley Road will be required
  • Drivers are advised to plan for slow traffic, follow the reduced speed limits and allow extra travel time
  • One lane will remain open in each direction throughout construction

Dangerous bear activity on rise in Arizona

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Arizona Game and Fish Department file photo of a bear eating from a bird feeder.

PHOENIX — Arizona Game and Fish continually warn against feeding wild animals and Arizona residents continually ignore the warning. Human feeding led to a woman being attacked by Javelina in Sedona. Most recently, a bear had to be euthanized in Payson. Not all of the problem stems from people illegally feeding animals, but much of it does. Recent drought conditions only exacerbate the problem as bears seek food in trash receptacles.

Arizona Game and Fish Department wildlife managers have seen an increase of roaming bear activity statewide in their quest for easy sources of food and water. Officers found this cache of food and water when seeking a habituated bear near Pinetop on Sunday.-AZGF Photo

“This season’s extremely dry conditions are making it difficult for bears to find natural food and water sources, increasing the chances of bears coming into neighborhoods,” Wildlife Manager Jarrod McFarlin said. “Bears can become habituated to human-related food sources and quickly lose their fear of humans. People living in bear country should do their part to keep wildlife safe by removing attractants such as bird seed, pet food, hummingbird feeders, and trash from their yards, and by keeping all trash inside a secured area until collection day.”

Visitors and campers to the forests should know that feeding wild animals is dangerous no matter how tame they may seem. A deer or elk can be spooked easily and cause serious injury or death. Bears are not cuddly little teddy bears. Even the Kaibab squirrel can bite and leave a serious injury. Campers should not attempt to feed any animals. It is not only unwise but illegal.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds everyone—once again—to be Bear Aware, following separate incidents where habituated bears became a public safety threat and needed to be humanely euthanized under department policy.

“When a bear becomes habituated to people for food and water, it can become a real threat to public safety,” AZGFD Wildlife Manager Shawn Wagner said. “People feeding wildlife think they’re helping wildlife, but they’re putting everyone’s safety at risk — whether it’s a neighbor out walking their pet or a family out for a jog. When a bear doesn’t get the meal it’s become accustomed to, it can attack whoever is around.”

Under department’s human-wildlife conflict policy, wildlife officers consider the bear’s behavior, age, sex and whether it’s a threat to human safety when determining when to relocate or lethally remove a bear.

The department spends considerable time and resources each year to remove or relocate habituated bears to minimize the risk to people. However, relocating a bear doesn’t always solve the problem. Approximately half of all bears relocated will return to where they were captured, no matter how great the distance.

On Monday May 28, AZGFD wildlife managers removed a sub-adult male bear from the north Phoenix neighborhood of Anthem that had previously been relocated from Prescott. On Sunday May 27, officers in the White Mountains were forced to remove a habituated female bear feeding on large piles of food and water left by a local resident.

The same female bear had been captured in Pinetop in June, 2017 and was relocated to a pre-approved release site near the Mogollon Rim, approximately 55 miles away. In May, it returned to Pinetop with two cubs. A day after euthanizing the bear, neighbors told AZGFD about the bear’s two cubs, which were safely located, evaluated by a local veterinarian and transferred to Bearizona in Williams.

“We have a no-breeding program for bears at Bearizona, so we can help save bears and offer them a new home,” said Bearizona Owner Sean Casey. “Although the circumstances behind this rescue are unfortunate, we are ultimately grateful to be able to provide a safe and loving home for these two little cubs.”

“Habituation of wild animals is happening more now than ever. This is exactly why people shouldn’t feed wild animals,” said Wildlife Advocate Jack Hanna.

The young cubs will be quarantined and closely monitored by veterinarians and animal staff for 30 days before inheriting their own exhibit in the walk-through section of the park, Fort Bearizona. The public will be able to see the cubs in their new home beginning Friday, June 29.

While this had a somewhat happy ending, on May 31 a bear that was aggressively attempting to enter the home of Payson resident Joseph Stapp had to be euthanized. Stapp was asleep Tuesday evening, May 29, when he heard a loud crash on the porch of the home he is building. He went to the door to see what was going on and got an unpleasant surprise.

“I looked out the front door, and the bear and I were face to face,” said Stapp. “He was pushing on the door, and I was pushing back. I was not scared, but I couldn’t shoo him.”

Photo at left: The bear knocked a desk on its side on the porch and pulled out the drawers. Photo at right: Photo quality is poor due to the glare, but the bear is on the back porch tipping a washing machine. -AZGF Photo

It was the third day in a row the bear had visited, causing property damage on the front and back porches. A neighbor was able to scare it off temporarily on Tuesday night by throwing rocks, but the bear returned later that night and again on Wednesday. The homeowner reported to AZGFD that the bear had gotten into a garbage can containing dog food several times earlier in the week, so he secured the can inside his home.

When the bear returned, it attempted to enter his home, and Stapp called 911. Wildlife officers from AZGFD live-trapped the adult male bear at the residence, evaluated it, and according to policy euthanized it because of the bear’s aggressive behavior and lack of fear toward humans.

Do your part to keep bears from posing a threat and needing to be removed. AZGF suggests the following:

  • Keep all trash inside a secured area until collection day. If that’s not possible, keep food waste in a bag in the freezer and place those in the trash as close to collection time as possible.
  • If you’ll be out of town or are a weekend visitor, ask a neighbor to place your trash out on collection day.
  • Take bird feeders down at night.
  • Keep pet food inside or remove all uneaten food.

For a brochure on living with bears and other wildlife, visit any AZGFD office or visit www.azgfd.com/Wildlife/LivingWith.

City Council to hold special meeting to interview prospective City Manager after normal Thursday session

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WILLIAMS — The City Council will meet in normal session on Thursday May 24 at 7 p.m.

Among the items to be discussed, the public has the opportunity to comment on the pending City of Williams Water Master Plan. Then the Council to discuss and may approve Resolution No. 1365 adopting the finalized City of Williams Master Water Plan.

The Council may discuss and make a decision regarding Resolution No. 1366; this is a WIFA water project application.

They will listen to public input in regard to the re-zoning of parcel # 202-22-008D, 1333 W. Route 66, regarding the re-zoning from multifamily to central business district. They may, then they may discuss and have a first reading of Ordinance No. 963 regarding the rezoning.

The Council will hear the third and final reading of Ordinance No. 962 relating to permits required for one story detached accessory structures, and may adopt it.

The Council may discuss and take action on a revised lease extension with SBA Cell Towers.

Council will discuss and may take action with the proposal presented on May 10, 2018 for a new public safety data/communications system for our Police Department
to replace the existing county system.

Council will review and may approve an inter-governmental agreement with Coconino County Elections Department to conduct the 2018 Primary and General Elections.

Council may discuss and provide direction regarding the City’s
legal counsel contract.

The council will then have reservations will be made for each Council member for the August 21st-24th 2018 Annual Arizona League of Cities and Towns Conference on May 31.

On Frday at 10 a.m., the Council will meet in the city chambers and convene to executive session to interview a candidate for the
position of City Manager.

When they reconvene to regular session they may make an offer to the candidate.

NAU study: Post-wildfire flooding to cost hundreds of millions

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors heard a presentation from the Northern Arizona University (NAU) Alliance Bank Economic Policy Institute (EPI) on the economic impact of post wildfire flooding to the City of Williams resulting from a wildfire on Bill Williams Mountain.

The EPI study, commissioned by the Coconino County Flood Control District, estimates that the economic impact from a catastrophic wildfire and the post-wildfire flooding in the Bill Williams Mountain watershed (City of Williams and downstream) is between $379 million and $694 million. The estimated cost of forest restoration on Bill Williams Mountain is approximately $8 million.

The response to a fire would incur immediate expenses, including suppression, post-fire rehabilitation, evacuation and repair costs. Long-term impacts of a catastrophic fire include the loss of sales tax revenue, tourist revenue, business revenue, and repair costs to railroads, highways and facilities.

Last year, a study conducted by J.E. Fuller Hydrology and Geomorphology, at the direction of the County’s Flood Control District, recommended the development of a pre-disaster plan to identify ways to reduce the impacts of flooding. The City of Williams is working with the County to develop the plan and secure funding.

The Bill Williams Mountain Watershed is located south and uphill from The City of Williams’ cultural, tourist, retail, residential and governmental core. The watershed is heavily used for outdoor recreation including a ski area, residential housing and summer camps. It is also unnaturally dense with ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forests and characterized by steep slopes, making this area vulnerable to an intense catastrophic wildfire and post-wildfire flooding.

Due to increasing fire danger with warmer and dryer weather conditions in the immediate forecast, the Kaibab National Forest closed the Bill Williams Mountain watershed area last week until the area receives significant precipitation.