Category Archives: Counties

Coconino County Offices closed in honor of Memorial Day

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FLAGSTAFF — All Coconino County administrative offices will be closed May 28, 2018 in honor of Memorial Day.

While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed, Dispatch, Patrol and Detention will be open. Records will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 28. Please dial 9-1-1 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency Dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.

Coconino County’s parks and natural areas will remain open Monday, May 28, but administrative offices at Fort Tuthill County Park will be closed and limited staff or services will be available. The Harrenburg Wash trailhead that accesses Pumphouse County Natural Area will be closed.

All of Coconino County parks and natural areas remain under fire restrictions. Smoking outdoors is not allowed; smoking is allowed only in designated areas during events, or in enclosed vehicles. Campfires and charcoal fire/grills are not allowed; visitors may use liquid gas stoves only on improved surfaces. Coconino County parks and natural areas’ trails, ramadas, picnic areas, and watchable wildlife sites/viewing platforms are open. Fort Tuthill Campground, Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course and Pepsi Amphitheater remain open.

Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Animal Management will have an officer available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 28. Contact the CCPHSD Animal Management office at 928-679-8756 and leave a message and an officer will respond. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Coconino Stage Three Fire Restrictions are in effect below the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and Stage One above the North Rim.

County enacts Stage Three Fire Restrictions

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County will be entering Stage Three Fire Restrictions at 8 a.m. on May 23. The restrictions will be enacted for all of Coconino County up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Stage One restrictions will remain in effect above the North Rim.

This ordinance applies to unincorporated areas and residences in the County that are not under the jurisdiction of a fire district.

“The County is implementing common sense restrictions, in coordination with our regional partners, to mitigate the catastrophic damage of wildfire,” said Chairman of the Board Matt Ryan. “We live in a forested ecosystem and our forests provide jobs for our economy, trails for our adventures and comfort for our homes. We must be extremely firewise this dry and dangerous season.”

Stage Three Fire Restrictions prohibit any combustion, open fire, charcoal, propane, shooting of firearms and camp fires in unincorporated areas and residences in the County unless:

  • People have written permits or variances from their fire district (except on Red Flag Days).
  • Personal use of tobacco products is restricted to inside closed vehicles or buildings only.

While activities, that don’t involve mechanical operations, such as lawn care, home construction and community clean-ups, are not specifically prohibited, residents and visitors should use their best judgment when considering whether to engage in any activity that could spark a fire. Anyone engaging in these activities could be held legally responsible.

For the full Wildfire Defense Ordinance 2017-5 and to sign-up for emergency notifications, go to www.coconino.az.gov/ready.

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.

Coconino County provides notice of security incidents

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County recently detected suspicious activity within certain staff members’ email accounts.

The County engaged a leading computer forensics investigation company to determine the nature and scope of these activities. Although the investigation is ongoing, the County did identify certain individuals whose personal and protected health information may have been compromised. There is no evidence that anyone’s information is being misused and the County is providing individuals with notice of these data security events as well as access to credit and identity protection services. A hotline has been established (855-789-0940) where people with questions can call. Additional information is also available at http://www.coconino.az.gov/1985/Data-Security-Public-Notices.

Coconino County takes the security and privacy of personal information very seriously. The County has ensured the security of its email accounts and continues to monitor its systems to ensure the privacy and security of personal information in our care.

Fox tests positive for rabies

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) confirmed today that a fox tested positive for rabies. The fox was found in a wooded area north of Interstate 40, west of Milton Road and south of University Ave. in west Flagstaff.

The fox was captured and tested after residents walking in the area reported the animal attacked their dog and bit them when they intervened. The individuals are receiving post exposure rabies prophylaxis treatment.

CCPHSD is reminding individuals to use caution to protect against rabies exposure when hiking, camping or in situation where wildlife may be present. Health officials recommend the following precautions to protect against rabies:

Avoid wildlife, especially those exhibiting unusual wildlife behaviors which can include; showing no fear of humans, aggressive behavior, staggering and/or acting sickly, and nocturnal mammals active during daytime.
Keep all pets current on vaccinations and obey leash laws.
Always keep pets away from wild animals.
Never pick up, touch, or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, even if they do not appear sick or aggressive.
Report any wild animal exhibiting erratic or aggressive behavior.
Seek immediate medical attention if bitten by or have contact with a wild animal.
Pet owners should seek medical care from their veterinarian if their pet is bitten by wildlife.

To report unusual wildlife sightings or behavior call the Coconino County Public Health Services District Animal Management Program at 928-679-8756. To report a wildlife emergency call 911.

For more information on rabies visit www.azhealth.gov/rabies.

Veterans Stand Down set for May 18

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County, in conjunction with area veteran’s advocacy groups, will host the 6th Annual Lance Davison Memorial High Country Stand Down. The event connects homeless and at-risk veterans with support services from state and local agencies.

This year’s event will be from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday, May 18, at the Flagstaff Armory, 320 N Thorpe Rd. Flagstaff, AZ. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

Veterans will have access to hot meals, hygiene kits, clothing, surplus, legal assistance, employment services, dental, vision and medical assistance, haircuts, Veterans’ Court and Notary services, information on disability and survivor benefits, and more. Surplus is not for resale and is for individual use only.

“It is an honor, as a member of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, to work with so many dedicated organizations helping connect veterans to the services they need,” said District 4 County Supervisor Jim Parks, whose office is helping to coordinate the event. “As a veteran, I hope everyone joins me in sharing this information with fellow veterans across northern Arizona including their families, their neighbors and in local communities.”

Services and logistical support are offered by Coconino County, Flagstaff Courts, Coconino County Superior Court, Williams Courts, Coconino County Public Health Services District, Arizona StandDown Alliance, Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Arizona Department of Economic Security, Veterans Administration, the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation and many others. This year, food will be provided by Sodexo and Mormon Lake Lodge, and beverages provided by Nackard Pepsi.

The public is also invited to attend the Armed Forces Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, in downtown Flagstaff.

The High Country Stand Down was started by the local veterans’ community and retired Coconino County Supervisor Mandy Metzger over six years ago.

Friends of Coconino County Parks awarded Community Impact Grant

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FLAGSTAFF – The Friends of Coconino County Parks, a non-profit group in support of Coconino County Parks and Recreation, was awarded a $10,000 Community Impact Grant from New York Life to provide nature- and literacy-based afterschool programs to area youth.

The Friends of Coconino County Parks received funding to provide a nine-week, nature- and literacy-based program with educators and approximately 15 youth, ages 8-10, from Kinsey Inquiry and Discovery School and the K-21st Afterschool Program, with support from volunteers from The Literacy Center (formerly Literacy Volunteers of Coconino County).

The program began in March and runs through May 25. Youth will experience activities that focus on a nature scavenger hunt, nature-based journaling, archery, a ropes adventure course, a guided hike at local open space reserve and gardening. Volunteers from The Literacy Center will read books to the students after outdoor activities to promote enjoyment and achievement in reading. The program encourages students to be physically active and nurtures the need for children to play outdoors, with an educational component delivered through reading.

The Community Impact Grant program awards grants of up to $25,000 to local nonprofit organizations which are championed by New York Life agents and employees to serve the needs of their local communities. Since the program’s inception in 2008, 491 grants totaling more than $6.8 million have been awarded to nonprofits across the country.

The Friends of Coconino County Parks, Inc. (FCCP) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Arizona with the mission of supporting Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department’s efforts in the areas of land conservation, park development, volunteerism, and recreational activities. More information can be found at: http://coconino.az.gov/695/Friends-of-Coconino-County-Parks.

Partners host community forum on private wells in northern Arizona

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino Plateau Watershed Partnership (CPWP), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Coconino County and County Supervisor Art Babbott are hosting a community forum, “Private Wells: Water Regulations, Perched Aquifers and Septic Impacts,” on May 16. The meeting will inform private well owners across Coconino County on how to better understand the relationship between private wells and septic systems in the region and how to protect their wells from contamination.

There will be presenters from the State of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Water Resources, Northern Arizona University, USGS and others to discuss the responsibilities of the State and County regarding people’s water supplies.

Specific questions may be submitted ahead of time using the “Contact Us” link on the Coconino Plateau Watershed Advisory Committee website www.cpwac.org. The link is located on the lower right of the Home Page. Questions should be submitted prior to Thursday, May 10 so they can be distributed to the presenters.

Attendees will also receive a copy of the Arizona Well Owner’s Guide.

WHO: Free and open to members of the public
WHAT: Community Forum on Private Wells in Northern Arizona: Regulations, Perched Aquifers and Septic Impacts
WHEN: 6 – 8:30 p.m. May 16.
WHERE: United States Geological Survey Bldg. #3
2255 N. Gemini Dr., Flagstaff, Ariz., 86001

Tinder Fire evacuation update

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FLAGSTAFF — Evacuations and road closures in the Tinder Fire area remain in effect. As this is still a very dynamic situation, there is no estimated timeline for when closures will be lifted.

Residents of the evacuated areas should call the County Call Center at 928-679-8393 for recovery and evacuation information.

Evacuation notices went out via the Coconino County Emergency Notification System, door-to-door contacts and vehicle loud speaker notification through Sunday, April 29. It’s estimated that 600 people evacuated from the estimated 1,000 homes in the area.

As of Sunday night, at least seven people checked into the Evacuation Reception Center at Twin Arrows Casino. Approximately 20 people refused to evacuate from their homes. The County Sheriff’s Office and public safety partners continue to provide security in evacuated areas. The Sheriff thanks residents for their cooperation and patience.

As County officials begin damage assessments of the area, information will be shared with residents as it becomes available.

County declares State of Emergency

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FLAGSTAFF –– The Coconino County Board of Supervisors has declared a State of Emergency due to the imminent danger to homes and structures. The County is anticipating needing additional resources.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office evacuated communities in the Blue Ridge Area at noon, today, April 29, due to the wildfire. Numerous homes and structures are at high risk.

If the Governor signs the Declaration, then the State of Arizona will offer further disaster assistance through operational efforts and financial support to the County.

The County thanks current efforts by the State of Arizona, Arizona Department of Military and Emergency Affairs, Navajo County, Gila County, Maricopa Arizona Department of Public Safety, the American Red Cross and United Way of Northern Arizona.

The Tinder Fire started at 11 a.m. on April 27. It is currently being managed by a U.S. Forest Service Type 1 Incident Management Team.

Evacuated residents of the Blue Ridge area can call the County Call Center at 928. 679.8393 for evacuation information