Category Archives: Coconino National Forest

Robert Martin Pena obituary

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We are saddened by the loss of our brother, Robert M. Pena, in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 10. Though he will be dearly missed, we are grateful that the Lord saw fit to end his lingering illness and take him home.

Bob was born in Williams to Ramon and Inez Pena. They lived in Ash Fork until 1961 when the family moved to Williams. Bob entered Williams High School as a Freshman and graduated in 1965.

Bob joined the army in May of 1966 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Bliss, Texas. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Artillery in Korea until October 1967. He served at the 47th General Hospital in Denver, Colorado until his honorable discharge on May 16, 1969.

After his discharge, he attended Yavapai Community College until he was accepted in the Forestry Program at Arizona State University. While working for the Coconino National Forest, he attended Northern Arizona University where he studied education. He continued his Forest Service career at the Tonto National Forest. He relocated to the Lincoln National Forest in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Bob began his forest service career as a Hot Shot and later traveled as a fire consultant.

After retiring from the Forest Service, he continued his passion by teaching forestry at the New Mexico State University-Alamogordo.

After his stroke, Bob returned to his family home in Williams where he passed away peacefully in his sleep. He will be missed for his animated personality, great stories and jokes. He was also an avid photographer.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ramon and Inez Pena and his sister Rachael McHenry. He is survived by daughter Amy Pena of Austin, Texas, Son Andrew Pena of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, his brother John and wife Phyllis Pena of West Palm Beach Florida, his sister Anna and brother-in-law Travis Dick of Williams, Arizona and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on November 23rd at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 900 W. Grant Street in Williams, Arizona. Rosary begins at 1:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 2 p.m. Military graveside services will take place at the Williams Cemetery at 3 p.m. Celebration of his life will follow at St. Joseph’s Hall.

Wildfire start in Sycamore Canyon Wilderness

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SEDONA – Coconino National Forest firefighters are responding to a 40-acre wildfire approximately 9 miles northwest of Sedona growing in Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.

The human-caused Sycamore Fire was reported at about 10:20 a.m. today near Taylor Cabin Trail and is producing smoke that will be noticeable to those in the immediate area, burning primarily in pinyon juniper in the wilderness area.

Firefighting resources include four helicopters, five crews, and three engines—totaling approximately 100 personnel.

No structures are immediately threatened at this time and the wildfire is moving in the northeast direction. More information will be provided about this wildfire as it becomes available.

County activates Emergency Operations Center in support of Tinder Fire

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) has activated an Emergency Operations Center in support of the Tinder Fire. The center opened at 8 a.m., April 28 and personnel are preparing and coordinating services in the event the fire spreads.

The Tinder Fire started at 11 a.m. on April 27 in East Clear Creek of the Blue Ridge area, southwest of Arizona State Highway 87. The U.S. National Weather Service expects winds from the southwest to increase to 30 mph throughout the day increasing fire danger.

The communities of Starlight Pines, Moqui Ranchettes, Clear Creek Pines, Tamarron Pines and Blue Ridge Estates are currently under a pre-evacuation notice. If an evacuation occurs, CCEM has coordinated with the American Red Cross and set-up a shelter at the Winslow Junior High School, 1100 N. Colorado Ave. The shelter is operational if residents want to self-evacuate.

As wind conditions increase, smoke from the fire may impact the communities. Air quality monitors from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality have been requested. In the event of smoke, Coconino County health officials are encouraging individuals to take precautions to protect themselves from health effects of wildfire smoke. People with pre-existing conditions should avoid exposure to the smoke as much as possible, and consult their physician if they have any questions.

The Emergency Operation Center (EOC) collects resources necessary to handle a specific emergency. This operation likely has representatives from fire departments, the Coconino County Sheriff’s office and medical personnel who might need to send members of their organizations to assist. There is, also, a finance manager tracking the cost of the operation. The Coconino Amateur Radio Club (CARC) Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) group is providing backup communications.

Forest Service hiring for temporary positions for 2018 field season

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From November 1-9, the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, will be accepting applications for temporary spring and summer jobs in Arizona and New Mexico.

More information on temporary employment in the Forest Service’s Southwestern Region can be found at Centralized Temporary Hiring Outreach, including a link to the 2018 Outreach Notice with job listings for the Southwestern Region.

Applications must be submitted on www.USAJOBS.gov. Interested applicants are encouraged to create a profile within USAJOBS prior to the open vacancy announcement period.

Positions in the Southwestern Region of the Forest Service are available in multiple fields, including wildland fire, engineering, visitor services, archaeology, recreation management, timber management, range management, wildlife program management, business management, and other fields in natural resource management.

Positions will be filled at various locations within any of the 11 national forests in Arizona and New Mexico and the three national grasslands in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and west Texas.

To learn more about national forests and national grasslands in the agency’s Southwestern Region, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/r3.

The Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer. The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Northern Arizona federal land managers invite public to community conversation event

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FLAGSTAFF — Federal land managers with the Forest Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management invite the public to attend a community conversation next week as part of an ongoing effort to connect with the public and hear first-hand what people value about their public lands.

In partnership with the Museum of Northern Arizona, this event will be held in Flagstaff in the Branigar Hall at the Museum of Northern Arizona from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Seating is limited to 60-70 people at this free community event, so please register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/NAZ-Fed-Land-Conversation or calling (928) 774-5213.

The following federal land managers will be in attendance and look forward to interacting with the public:

– Coconino National Forest Supervisor Laura Jo West,
– Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Heather Provencio,
– Flagstaff Area National Monuments Superintendent Kayci Cook Collins,
– Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Chris Lehnertz, and
– BLM Phoenix District Manager Leon Thomas.

The Land Managers will provide updates –

· What has happened since the first Community Conversation in May 2017?
· Land Managers and Project Specialists will provide information and take your comments on federal land management projects in Northern Arizona
· Participants Open Mic – What do you want your federal land managers to know? – Please plan on one minute per speaker to allow time for manager responses. Comment cards will be available for those not wishing to speak.

This is a chance for the public to meet face-to-face with the leaders of organizations that manage federal lands in northern Arizona. The public is invited to attend this special event and share their thoughts on what they value about public lands now and into the future.

Northern Arizona federal land managers invite public to community conversation event

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FLAGSTAFF – Federal land managers with the Forest Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management invite the public to attend a community conversation in May as part of an ongoing effort to connect with the public and hear first-hand what people value about their public lands.

In partnership with the Museum of Northern Arizona, this event will be held in Flagstaff in the Branigar Hall at the Museum of Northern Arizona from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 25. Seating is limited to 60-70 people at this free community event, so please RSVP by calling (928) 774-5213 or visit www.musnaz.org.

The following federal land managers will be in attendance and look forward to interacting with the public:

– Coconino National Forest Supervisor Laura Jo West,
– Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Heather Provencio,
– Flagstaff Area National Monuments Superintendent Kayci Cook Collins,
– Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Chris Lehnertz, and
– BLM Phoenix District Manager Leon Thomas.

Speakers will provide introductory remarks, move to “talking circles” to interact and have conversations with community members, and conclude by reporting out and providing closing remarks.

This is a chance for the public to meet face-to-face with the leaders of organizations that manage federal lands in northern Arizona. The public is invited to attend this special event and share their thoughts on what they value about public lands now and into the future.

Kaibab National Forest to host National Public Lands Day event Sept. 24

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WILLIAMS — Members of the public are invited to a National Public Lands Day event Sept. 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cataract Lake Day Use Area in Williams hosted by the Kaibab National Forest.

The event will include several outdoor clinics, environmental education opportunities, fishing, interpretive presentations, and service projects to clean up the lakeshore and picnic area.

“We are excited to offer an opportunity for the community of Williams to come together to enjoy Cataract Lake, participate in some fun events, and make the area even nicer in recognition of National Public Lands Day,” said Lisa Jones, recreation program manager for the Williams Ranger District. “We hope members of the public will bring their families and friends and make this a day to celebrate the outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities we have right here in our backyards.”

Community members planning to attend should meet on the Kaibab National Forest side of Cataract Lake at N. Cooper Ranch Road in Williams. Participants are advised to wear clothing and shoes appropriate for outdoor fun and adventure and to bring their own water and snacks.

For additional information on the event, contact Lisa Jones at lljones@fs.fed.us or (928) 635-5619 or Dutch Maatman at jmaatman@fs.fed.us or (928) 635-5661.

This year is the 23rd annual National Public Lands Day, which is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. The goals of National Public Lands Day are to connect people to public lands in their community, inspire environmental stewardship, and encourage use of public lands for education, recreation, and general health.

National Public Lands Day events will be taking place across the country at thousands of sites on public lands. To learn more or to find events, visit https://www.neefusa.org/public-lands-day.

“Please join us on Sept. 24 as your work will help ensure our public lands continue to be beautiful places for all to enjoy,” Jones said. “We invite you to take this day to enjoy the great outdoors and celebrate the lands that give us so much.”

County and Coconino NF seek advisory committee members

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FLAGSTAFF — The County and Coconino National Forest are seeking candidates to fill vacancies on the Coconino Resource Advisory Committee (RAC), which will review and recommend projects to the forest supervisor that benefit national forest land in Coconino County.

The committee will be comprised of 15 members who represent a particular set of interests, and members must commit to serving a full term of four years—meeting only a handful of times annually. Committee members are volunteers and do not receive pay.

Current vacancies on the Coconino RAC include seats which represent the following interests listed in the Secure Rural School Act and reauthorized by Congress:

· Organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester
· Developed outdoor recreation
· Off-highway vehicle users
· Energy and mineral development interests
· Commercial timber industry
· Federal grazing permittees or other land use permittees
· Nationally, regionally, or locally recognized environmental organizations
· Dispersed recreational activities
· Archaeological and historical interests
· Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro groups
· County or local-elected officials
· State-elected officials
· American Indian tribes
· School officials or teachers
· The public-at-large

National forests which fall within Coconino County that the committee would consider projects for include the Coconino, Kaibab, as well as parts of the Prescott and Apache-Sitgreaves national forests.

“We’re looking for people with energy and commitment to the long-term benefit of our national forests, who also are interested in working with a diverse array of interests represented on the committee,” said Laura Jo West, forest supervisor for the Coconino National Forest.

Under the Secure Rural Schools Act, federal payments to states and counties were reauthorized in April 2015 and will be allocated according to the amount of national forest land in the county and other factors. These funds can be used for projects that enhance forest ecosystems and restore and improve land health and water quality.

Any Arizona resident interested in serving on the committee must complete an application form that will be used for a required background check. Applications are available at Forest Service offices in the Coconino National Forest, and online at http://tinyurl.com/CoconinoRAC.

Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. September 2, 2016 and must be mailed or dropped off, with original signature, to Coconino National Forest, Attn: Brady Smith, Resource Advisory Committee, 1824 S. Thompson St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Scanned copies cannot be submitted.

For more information, call Brady Smith, the Coconino National Forest public affairs officer, at (928) 527-3490, or email him at bradysmith@fs.fed.us. For more information on RACs, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/srs/.

Point Wildfire is currently burning in Munds Mountain Wilderness

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sedona-point-fire-1SEDONA — The lightning-caused Point Wildfire is currently burning in Munds Mountain Wilderness on Munds mesa, which is located east of State Highway 179 and south of Sedona and Schnebly Hill road.

The fire is estimated at 190 acres and was ignited following several lighting storms that came through the area mid-week.

“Today we are focusing on stopping the northern progression of the wildfire,” said Nicole Branton, Red Rock District ranger. “This fire is in very difficult terrain that is dangerous to firefighting personnel, so we can expect to see smoke over the next several days as it continues to burn in areas that firefighters cannot access. Firefighter safety is our primary concern along with containing the fire on top of the mesa to prevent further spread into surrounding canyons.”

Smoke will also be visible from various parts of the Verde Valley and along Interstate 17 while firefighters work to contain the fire over the next few days.

Air attack helicopters and planes along with 55 firefighters are working to help slow progress across the mesa and to reduce its chance of moving into side canyons. Drones cannot be flown over or near the fire, as doing so will cease operations that are fighting the fire with water drops from the air.

For public and fire fighter safety, the public is asked to acknowledge the closure area of Munds Mountain Trail and Jack Canyon Trail.

Fee-Free Weekend: Independence Day, July 2-4, 2016

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FLAGSTAFF — The Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest will waive fees associated with many recreation sites and amenities July 2-4, 2016 in honor of Independence Day.

As part of this event, fees will be waived for all Red Rock Pass Fee Program sites including Palatki, Honanki, V Bar V cultural sites, and multiple trailheads.

Campgrounds and recreation sites managed by concessionaires are not included in this event. These sites include Grasshopper Point, Crescent Moon Ranch, and Call of the Canyon.

See full details and the complete list of 2016 Fee-Free Days on the Coconino National Forest.

Registration required: No
Sponsor url: 2016 fee-free days

Sponsor Contact: Red Rock Ranger District
Phone: 928-203-2900