Category Archives: Williams

Kaibab National Forest temporarily closes Bill Williams Mountain Watershed

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WILLIAMS – Due to increasing fire danger with warmer and dryer weather conditions in the immediate forecast, the Kaibab National Forest will issue a temporary closure for the Bill Williams Mountain watershed area beginning Friday and continuing until the area receives significant precipitation.

This action is necessary to safeguard public health and safety from exposure to the associated hazards of wildland fire, and to directly protect vital watershed resources contributing to the City of Williams water supply. This order only affects national forest areas, roads and trails located within the boundary of the watershed on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest and does not affect private property.

The closure boundary begins at the junction of Interstate 40 and Forest Road (FR) 108, commonly known as the Devil Dog exit, and travels south and east along FR108 to the junction of FR108 and County Road (CR) 73. The boundary then extends north along CR 73 to the junction of Old Route 66 in the city of Williams. From this junction, the boundary travels west to the junction of Old Route 66 and Interstate 40 at the Country Club exit. The boundary then travels west along Interstate 40 to the junction of FR 108 at the Devil Dog exit.

All lands, roads and trails within the perimeter of the closure area will be closed to the public until the area receives significant precipitation and fire danger decreases.The Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts are both currently under Stage II fire restrictions. These restrictions limit the kinds of activities typically allowed on the forest and will remain in effect until significant and widespread moisture arrives.

Due to different weather and fuel conditions, the North Kaibab Ranger District, which is located north of Grand Canyon National Park, has not yet implemented any fire restrictions.

Under the Stage II fire restrictions the following acts 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 kind of explosives on National Forest lands.)

As a reminder, fireworks and all pyrotechnic devices are always prohibited on National Forest lands.

Exemptions to the Stage II fire restrictions 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.

The Forest Service uses fire restrictions and area closures 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 and area closures normally occur 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, a variety of science-based indices, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Additional restrictions may be applied any time that conditions warrant. Fire restrictions and area closures typically remain in effect until the area covered receives significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded.

Forest officials would also like to 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.

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

Carol Glassburn Clean & Beautiful day successful

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Clean and Beautiful photo – Kerry-Lynn Moede

WILLIAMS – Williams loaded 16-1/2 tons of electronic waste and garbage at the Williams Waste Transfer Station after a morning of cleaning up the city. The event was the Carol Glassburn Clean & Beautiful day named after one of Williams’ prominent citizens who started the event years ago.

Kelly-Lynn Moede took the helm of the event this year. She and her volunteers did a good job of setting up the event. The American Legion Cordova Post #13 ran the barbecue pit, again, distributing cheeseburgers and hot dogs for the volunteers after the clean up. APS provided trash bags for the volunteers to use.

NAG Editor working with Yvette Villeneuve extract a Safeway basket that lay in Cataract Creek for years.

This year they added a You Found What? game for an extra prize along with the regular eggs with cash prizes.

Clean and Beautiful photo – Kerry-Lynn Moede

Clean and Beautiful photo – Kerry-Lynn Moede

Of course it was the individual and service group volunteers that loaded the sixteen-tons of garbage in the bins to be sent to the transfer station.

Kaibab National Forest to offer commercial fuelwood permits for Williams Ranger District

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest will offer commercial fuelwood cutting permits for the 2018 season beginning June 11 for the Williams Ranger District. The 2018 commercial fuelwood cutting season will run from June 11 to December 31.

It is considered a commercial use when a permittee intends to sell a product removed from the Kaibab National Forest. All commercial uses of forest products require a paid permit.

There will be a limited number of commercial units available on the Williams Ranger District for the 2018 season. Assignment of these units to individual permittees will be determined through a lottery system.

Entry forms for the lottery will be mailed to prospective commercial fuelwood cutters who have expressed prior interest in the opportunity by contacting Jason Brugh, forester on the Williams Ranger District. To sign up to receive these entry forms, contact Brugh at:

Jason Brugh, email jasonabrugh@fs.fed.us, phone (928) 635-5641

Prospective commercial fuelwood cutters may also visit the Williams Ranger District office at 742 S. Clover Road in Williams.

Once received by interested commercial cutters, the lottery forms must be filled out in their entirety and submitted to Brugh or the Williams Ranger District office no later than June 1. Submissions after this date will not be considered. Notifications of the recipients of the commercial units will occur on June 8. Both those successful in being drawn for a unit and those not will receive notification that day.

Commercial fuelwood cutting permits are sold in 10-cord increments at $5 per cord, for a minimum $50 transaction. Once the commercial lottery winners have been notified of being successfully drawn for a unit, they may purchase their permits at the Williams Ranger District office Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding federal holidays. Associated unit maps and additional information will be provided then.

For additional information on Williams Ranger District commercial fuelwood permits, please contact Brugh using the contact information provided.

Kaibab National Forest to implement additional fire restrictions

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest will implement additional fire restrictions, also known as Stage II fire restrictions, across the entire Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts beginning at 8 a.m. this Friday. These new restrictions limit the kinds of activities typically allowed on the forest and will remain in effect until significant and widespread moisture arrives.

Due to different weather and fuel conditions, the North Kaibab Ranger District, which is located north of Grand Canyon National Park, will not yet implement any fire restrictions.

Under the Stage II fire restrictions to be implemented Friday across the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts, 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 kind of explosives on National Forest lands.)

As a reminder, fireworks and all pyrotechnic devices are always prohibited on National Forest lands.

Exemptions to the Stage II fire restrictions 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.

The Forest Service uses 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.

Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include things such as current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, a variety of science-based indices, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Additional restrictions may be applied any time that conditions warrant. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area covered by the restrictions receives significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded.

Forest officials would also like to 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.

These fire restrictions apply only to the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest. However, 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 Kaibab National Forest jurisdictional boundaries.

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

Kaylee found alive and well

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WILLIAMS – On April 29th, 2018 at approximately 10:00 a.m., the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office located Kaylee Cook. She was located within 1.5 miles from the home she went missing from at 6:00 p.m. on the 28th.

On April 29th, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Kaylee walked out on to a road near the junction of Buckboard and Espee Road and was spotted by a Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Searching the road in his Patrol Vehicle and 2 residence Devin and Cameron Maebe. A CCSO Deputy and Search and Rescue Trackers responded to the area prior that morning after a tip came in from resident Brandon McDonald. who reported seeing a young Girl matching Kaylee’s description the night before at 7:30 pm.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all those involved in the search, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Coconino County Sheriff’s Patrol Deputies, Department Of Public Safety Officers, DPS Air Rescue and Civil Air Patrol.

In addition, a special thanks to the community and neighbors for all their efforts and assistance with the Search and rescue efforts.

Coconino County Sheriff Office Searches for Missing 4-year-old girl

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WILLIAMS –– On April 28th, 2018 at approximately 6:41pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for Kalyee Cook, a missing 4-year-old girl. Search efforts have continued throughout the night.

On April 28th, at 6:41 pm, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies from the Williams Substation responded to the report of a missing 4-year-old girl, from 7937 N. Perrin, a residence about 8 to 10 miles north of Williams off of Highway 64.

Family Members last saw the Child playing in front of the residence at 6:00 pm and believed she may have wandered off in an unknown direction.

Search efforts are ongoing, units involved include Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Junipine Fire Department and Family Members.

Williams Ranger District to Continue Ignitions on Sunflower Rx Fire Project

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WILLIAMS – Fire managers on the south zone of the Kaibab National Forest will resume implementation on the Sunflower prescribed fire project beginning Saturday of this week. With red flag conditions subsiding and a measure of moisture in the immediate forecast, favorable weather conditions have presented an opportunity to continue with treatments in this specific area.

The 15,195 acre Sunflower project is located approximately 7 miles southeast of Williams between County Road 73 and Whitehorse Lake. It began in the fall of 2017 and will likely be ongoing throughout the year as opportunities arise and conditions permit.

Fire plays a beneficial role in maintaining the ecological stability of many landscapes including the Kaibab National Forest. Managers use prescribed fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic wildfires that can pose significant threats to public health and safety.

Officials understand that smoke impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration more effectively using prescribed methods as opposed to an uncontrolled wildfire situation with long term effects.

During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas.

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

For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorizations, please visit www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html. Additional fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources: InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5160/ Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.

Kaibab National Forest to implement fire restrictions this Friday

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest will implement campfire and smoking restrictions, also known as Stage I fire restrictions, across the entire Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts beginning at 8 a.m. this Friday. Due to different weather and fuel conditions, the North Kaibab Ranger District, which is located north of Grand Canyon National Park, will not yet implement any fire restrictions.

Under the restrictions to be implemented Friday across the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within the specific developed recreation sites listed here:

  • Kaibab Lake Campground, Williams Ranger District
  • Dogtown Lake Campground, Williams Ranger District
  • White Horse Lake Campground, Williams Ranger District
  • Tex-X Campground, Tusayan Ranger District

Stage I restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in the listed developed recreation sites.

Using a device that is solely fueled by 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 3 feet of the device. Fireworks are always prohibited on all National Forest lands.

The Forest Service uses 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.

Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include things such as current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, a variety of science-based indices, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Additional restrictions may be applied any time that conditions warrant. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area covered by the restrictions receives significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded.

Forest officials would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the National Forest while under fire restrictions is a violation that carries a mandatory appearance in federal court. Violations are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

These fire restrictions apply only to the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest. However, many city, state, and county agencies implement similar restrictions, so members of the public should check with the appropriate agency on any restrictions before starting a campfire, charcoal grill or anything with an open flame.

Members of the public can find additional information on the Kaibab National Forest through the following sources:

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

Green Waste Disposal Site Opening Dates Announced

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest in cooperation with the Parks Area Connection and Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District are announcing dates the green waste disposal site will open to residents for dumping of woody debris materials from private property.

This alternative site is being offered to the local community as a result of the temporary closure of the Moonset Pit while undergoing construction to expand capacity for future operations.

The green waste disposal site located at the old dump site off forest road 900 north of Pittman Valley will be staffed and open between the hours of 08:00am and 2:00pm on the following dates. Users will only be allowed to access and discard herbaceous material on these dates while staff is present.

Saturday, May 12, Sunday, May 27.
Saturday, June 9, Saturday, June 23.
Saturday, July 14, Saturday, July 28.
Saturday, August 11, Saturday, August 25.
Saturday, September 8.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these services in order to make their private property more defensible against the threat of wildland fire. No garbage, household trash, building materials, lumber or other items will be allowed. Materials should not be bagged.

An alternative cinder collection site has also been offered to residents in the interim until the Moonset Pit re-opens in 2019. The W-Triangle Cinder Pit just north of Spring Valley will be available to residents for personal use cinder collection. Personal mineral material permits are available at the Williams Ranger District office at 742 S Clover road during regular business hours Monday through Friday. The pit will remain open to all users who possess a valid permit for collection with no time or date restrictions.

For more information on the about the Moonset Pit expansion project contact Deirdre McLaughlin at damclaughlin@fs.fed.us 928-635-5662. For additional information on creating defensible space, visit www.firewise.org or fireadapted.org/

Would you believe snow Thursday and Friday?

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WILLIAMS – After a RED FLAG warning in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. tonight, winds should die down Tuesday and Wednesday. Winds will be around 14-mph with gusts up to 21-mph. Temperature should be 52-degrees Tuesday and rise to 61 Wednesday.

On Thursday there will be a 30% chance of showers after 5 p.m. with a temperature of 57. Overnight a 30 % snow with some thunder is possible with a low of 31-degrees. On Friday, a chance of snow showers before noon, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between noon and 1pm, then a slight chance of rain showers after 1pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday night the precipitation should clear with a low around 33. The sun will come out over the weekend with temperatures in the 60s.