FLAGSTAFF — A wildfire approximately 4 miles north of Flagstaff on the west side of the San Francisco Peaks was reported at 5:30 a.m. today and is producing a lot of smoke visible to surrounding residents.
The Twisted Fire is currently about 2 acres with minimal activity, and firefighting resources on scene include a Hotshot crew, several engines, a dozer, and water tender.
Category Archives: Coconino National Forest
Forest Service Takes Steps to Reduce Human Caused Wildfire during Global Pandemic
ALBUQUERQUE – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Southwestern Region is enacting a campfire ban to protect the health and safety of employees and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning April 22, igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire will be prohibited on all six national forests in Arizona until June 30, 2020, or until rescinded.
Forest Service officials are taking the necessary steps to ensure first responders are available to safely respond and manage incidents. This campfire restriction will prevent the drawdown of fire and medical resources to unwanted human-caused wildfires and reduce firefighter exposure to COVID-19 during the current pandemic.
“While we know that going outside provides forest and grassland visitors needed space, exercise and satisfaction, we are taking the risks presented by COVID-19 seriously,” said Acting Regional Forester Elaine Kohrman. “We are providing some recreation opportunities where we can while protecting and keeping employees, the public and our communities safe from the virus and unwanted human-caused wildfires.”
The following is prohibited under the April 22 campfire ban order:
Igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, including charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves.
Violating the campfire ban may result in an appearance in federal court, fines, and possible time in jail. Forest visitors will still be able to use pressurized liquid or gas devices (stoves, grills or lanterns) with shut-off valves, in an area at least three feet from any flammable materials. While these restrictions are in place, the majority of the six national forests in Arizona are still open, and dispersed camping – outside of developed campsites – and other recreation opportunities are available.
Visit the Interactive Visitor Map at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ivm for more information on available activities. For additional information on COVID-19, go to https://www.coronavirus.gov. Information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is available at: www.usda.gov/coronavirus. Information on public lands use in Arizona is available at https://tourism.az.gov/responsible-recreation-across-arizona/
Coconino NF closing developed recreation sites
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., March 24, 2020 — Coconino National Forest has closed its developed recreation and day-use sites indefinitely to protect public and employee health, as well as align with state and local measures already in place to lessen the impact of COVID-19.
The vast majority of the forest is still open to visitors who want to spend time outdoors participating in recreational opportunities that support social distancing, such as hiking and biking on trails, and dispersed camping.
However, the following developed recreation sites, facilities, and restrooms are closed. More sites may close in the future, depending on the situation, as circumstances can change rapidly in response to COVID-19:
Day-Use Sites
- Banjo Bill Picnic Site
- Bootlegger Picnic Site
- Clints Well Picnic Site
- Encinoso Picnic Site
- Fossil Creek Area
- Halfway Picnic Site
- Long Valley Day-Use Site
- Oak Creek Vista
Group Campgrounds
- Chavez Crossing Group Campground
- Clear Creek Group Campground
- Dairy Springs Group Campground
- Elks Group Group Campground
- Long Valley Work Center Group Campground
- Moqui Group Campground
- O’Leary Group Campground
Heritage Sites
- Honanki Heritage Site
- Palatki Heritage Site
- V Bar V Heritage Site
Rental Cabins
- Apache Maid Cabin
- Crescent Moon Cabin
- Fernow Cabin
- Kendrick Cabin
Single Family Unit Campgrounds
- Ashurst Lake Campground
- Bonito Campground
- Blue Ridge Campground
- Canyon Vista Campground
- Cave Springs Campground
- Clear Creek Campground
- Clints Well Campground
- Dairy Springs Campground
- Double Springs Campground
- Kehl Springs Campground
- Knoll Lake Campground
- Lakeview Campground
- Little Elden Springs Campground
- Lockett Meadow Campground
- Manzanita Campground
- Pine Flat Campground
- Pine Grove Campground
- Rock Crossing Campground
Visitor Centers
- Red Rock Ranger Station & Visitor Center
- Oak Creek Visitor Center
Notifications to those who have made any reservations will be made as soon as possible and refunds will be processed.
Visitors should mitigate resource impacts wherever they recreate by taking their trash with them when they depart and appropriately managing human waste by burying it at least 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet away from water, trails and recreation sites.
All Coconino National Forests offices are conducting business and providing services virtually. While being outside is believed to be safer than indoor spaces, visitors to national forests are urged to take the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended precautions.
Members of the public who have additional questions that cannot be answered through the Coconino National Forest website can contact one of our ranger stations:
- Forest Supervisor’s Office: 928-527-3600, then press “0.”
- Flagstaff Ranger Station: 928-527-8279.
- Mogollon Rim Ranger Station: 928-477-2255.
- Red Rock Ranger Station & Visitor’s Center: 928-203-2900, then press “0.”
Fees to increase in April for Mogollon Rim campgrounds
CLINTS WELL – Fees for certain developed campgrounds on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District will rise, beginning April 17, due to increased use and in order to continue site maintenance and improvements.
Fees have not increased in more than a decade. A public comment period regarding the proposal of these changes concluded in summer 2019. More than 300 comments were received and analyzed, and the majority of respondents were in favor of a fee increase in order to maintain the sites.
Some campground fees will increase over two phases, as the following image indicates:
Of the recreation fees collected, 95 percent remain on the forest to operate, maintain and improve the facilities and programs at the campgrounds.
For more details regarding what was originally proposed, please visit our fee proposal frequently asked questions web page.
Kaibab National Forest and Red Rock Ranger District announce March archaeology month events
WILLIAMS — This March, the Kaibab National Forest will continue its more than decade-long tradition of offering stimulating presentations and outdoor excursions in the Williams area as part of Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. In Sedona, ancient cultures and their technologies are celebrated during planned events throughout the month at the Red Rock Ranger District.
In Williams, Wednesday evenings throughout March, experts will present a series of lectures starting at 6 p.m. at the Sultana Theatre in Williams covering topics such as the history of sheep ranching in northern Arizona, Fred Harvey’s original farm-to-table legacy, and the role of the Forest Service in shaping Arizona and its lands.
On all four Saturdays in March, Kaibab National Forest archaeologists will lead fun and educational hikes to the Keyhole Sink petroglyph site near the Parks community starting at 2 p.m. The Keyhole Sink Trail offers a short, relatively flat hike to a scenic box canyon where prehistoric residents left their mark carved into the canyon’s gray volcanic walls.
Close-up image of some of the petroglyphs at Keyhole Sink. Photo by Dyan Bone. Kaibab National Forest.
“We are so fortunate to live in an area that is so rich with history and culture,” said Neil Weintraub, archaeologist for the south zone of the Kaibab National Forest. “There is no better time than archaeology month to learn about and explore the incredible diversity of special places that make the Kaibab National Forest and northern Arizona so unique.”
Archaeology month is intended to generate understanding of and support for the state’s archaeological heritage. Celebrations and events focus on promoting the preservation of archaeological resources and illustrating ways the public can help in protecting and appreciating them.
For detailed information about the Kaibab National Forest archaeology month offerings in the Williams area, download the PDF schedule.
In Sedona, attend one or all of the planned presentations to learn about how Native Americans have thrived in this area for hundreds of years.
March 6: Peter Pilles, Coconino National Forest archaeologist, will give a presentation on the Rock Art of the Verde Valley by describing the many cultural groups that have lived in the Verde Valley and the styles of rock art each created. This event begins at 11 a.m. at the Red Rock Visitor Center and will last about an hour.
March 13: Visitors can learn how natives used agave for food and fiber. A presentation by Wendy Hodgson and Andrew Salywon, entitled Pre-Columbian Agaves in the Southwest – Discovering Lost Crops among the Hohokam and the Verde Valley Cultures, will begin at 11 a.m. at the Red Rock Visitor Center and is slated to last an hour.
March 21: People who are interested to learn about the natives of the V Bar V Ranch area may see more than 1,000 petroglyphs at this site and understand how they used the solar calendar to plant their crops. Jake Newhouse will give a presentation on the Spring Equinox, beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the V Bar V Heritage Site. The presentation will last until 2 p.m.
March 28: Join a demonstration of Ancient Technology, witnessing a wide variety of ancient tools commonly used by Native Americans of the region. Bob Erb will give a presentation at the V Bar V Heritage Site beginning at 10 a.m. until about 2 p.m.
The Red Rock Ranger District visitor center located at 8375 state Route 179, in Sedona, AZ 86351.
Petroglyphs at the V Bar V Heritage Site in Sedona
For more information about the Coconino National Forest and its heritage sites, please visit www.coconinonationalforest.us. For more information about these events, please contact the Red Rock Visitor Center at (928) 203-2900.
A piece of history found
The Owens Bottle Company Trademark “O” in a square from around 1929.
WILLIAMS – As I walked through the forest today, I came across a bottle. I sometimes pick up trash to clean the forest, but this time I grabbed this one for some reason. A little Internet research revealed that the Owens Bottle Machine Company was founded in 1903. It was chanced to Owens Bottle Company in 1919.
One side of the bottle is marked in metric.
One side of the bottle is marked in English standard.
The “3xxxii” mark on the bottle.
One source claims that Owens started using the “O” inside a square around 1911, but the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office data shows that “Owens claimed first use was actually in the year 1919.”
The Owen Bottle Machine Company was the brain child of Michael J. Owens who worked for New England Glass Company. At the time, bottles were made by glass blowers. He invented a machine to create bottles and formed the Owens Bottle Machine Company in 1903. The company changed its name to Owens Bottle Company in 1919. The company is credited with the growth of the soda and beer industries.
It makes a good addition to the W.H. Hutchinson and Sons Bottlers Suppliers flask I got several years ago.
Although this is not exactly “ancient history,” this is what Archaeology is all about. Finding things and researching to find out how it fits in history. It is also a good lead-in to let you know that March is Archaeology Month in Arizona. The Coconino and Kaibab Forests have tours and lectures planned for all of next month.
A word of caution, however. If you find something really ancient, such as pottery or petroglyphs, do not disturb them. These type of objects are best reported to the forest service. These things are best researched in the area they are found.
The old bottle sets well with my W.H. Hutchinson and Sons Bottlers Suppliers flask I found years ago in some junk.
Mogollon Rim District reopening forest roads today
CLINTS WELL — Forest Service personnel are in the process of reopening all forest roads on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest today in effort to allow access to hunt units now that the recent snow storm has passed.
Forest roads on the Flagstaff Ranger District along U.S. Highway 180 corridor north of Forest Road 222 and south of FR 151 remain closed. Forest Road 420 (Schultz Pass Road) will be closed where it intersects with FR 552, all the way to the west side near the intersection of Mt. Elden Lookout Road. Forest Road 556 and FR 522 will also be closed.
Many roads on the Flagstaff Ranger District south of Flagstaff remain open, but the public should use caution if driving on those forest roads, as vehicles often get stuck and stranded.
Hunters and visitors are reminded that seasonal road closures on northern Arizona national forests typically occur when sustained inclement weather is forecast, so visitors should be aware and plan accordingly. These road closures prevent road damage, soil erosion and visitors from getting stuck.
Tentative plans for prescribed burns next week
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burns next week in areas that will lessen smoke impacts to surrounding communities.
These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.
Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.
The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order and may occur on days other than noted, depending on favorable weather conditions. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin at approximately 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.
Experimental Forest (Ft. Valley 1 & 4)
When: Tuesday (Nov. 12).
Where: Approximately 8 miles northwest of Flagstaff, near the Fort Valley Trailhead. GPS: 35.270153, -111.677685
Size: 302 acres total, in two burn blocks.
Duration: 1-day operation.
Method/Type of burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. The burn is an operation in partnership with the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Center, Northern Arizona University and the Ecological Research Institute to study the effects of consistent return intervals of low-intensity fire.
Smoke Impacts: With a westerly wind forecast, smoke should move northeast towards Schultz Pass. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, potentially impacting Doney Park, Baderville, Fort Valley, the U.S. Highway 180 corridor and Rio de Flag river drainage.
Closures/Restrictions: The Arizona National Scenic Trail will be rerouted during the burn operations for visitor’s safety.
Victorine
When: Tuesday-Thursday (Nov. 12-14).
Where: Approximately 6.5 miles southeast of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District office, west of Leonard Canyon. GPS: 34.540829, -111.104980
Size: 2,900 acres total. Daily acreage varies upon the conditions. Day 1 is planned for 600 acres.
Duration: This is a four-day burn operation.
Type of Burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. This burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, protect private property, benefit wildlife habitat and improve forest health.
Smoke Impacts: Daytime winds are forecast from the southwest. Smoke should lift and disperse toward the northeast of the project area during the day. Overnight smoke could settle in the local burn area, Blue Ridge communities, and will probably drain down East Clear Creek. Smoke may end up in the eastern side of the Verde Valley until daytime temperatures rise enough to lift the smoke into the transport winds.
Closures/Restrictions: None expected.
Additional Information: Each day the burn block will be ignited independently after the project’s burn prescription and smoke impacts are evaluated.
Maxwell Springs 1 & 2
When: Wednesday (Nov. 13).
Where: Five miles northwest of Flagstaff.
GPS: 35.250812, -111.824213 & 35.263236, -111.806195
Size: 833 acres total in two burn blocks.
Duration: One-day operation.
Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. These burns are located south of Wing Mountain and north of Bellemont.
Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, Interstate 40 and the west side of Flagstaff. This will likely impact Fort Valley, Snowbowl Ski Resort area and possibly U.S. Highway 180.
Closures/Restrictions: None expected.
Christmas tree permits on sale November 22
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will begin selling a limited number of over-the-counter Christmas tree permits to the public beginning Noember 22 (Friday) that will be good for cutting in designated areas of the Flagstaff and Mogollon Rim ranger districts until December 24.
A total of 1,200 permits will be available at $15 each, which can be paid for by cash, credit card, or personal check at the locations listed below. The permits will be issued one per household on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. Permits cannot be reserved. Last year permits sold fast, so the public is encouraged to purchase their permit as soon as possible beginning November 22.
This year, the Flagstaff Ranger Station will be selling 150 permits for Pinyon and Juniper trees within two designated Christmas tree cutting areas on the Flagstaff Ranger District, and 100 permits for Fir, Pinyon Pine, or Ponderosa Pine trees within the three designated areas of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. A map will be provided with each permit as well as the stipulations and limitations regarding the size of tree that can be cut. This office is not open on November 23 or 24 (Saturday and Sunday).
The Mogollon Rim Ranger Station will have 550 permits for sale for areas within the Mogollon Rim Ranger District, which includes Fir, Pinyon Pine, and Ponderosa Pine trees in three designated areas located approximately 1 to 2.5 hours south of Flagstaff. This office will be open November 22 and November 23 (Friday and Saturday) to sell permits, but will be closed November 24 (Sunday).
The Forest Supervisors Office will be selling permits this year. There will be 100 permits for the Pinyon and Juniper trees within two designated Christmas tree cutting areas in the Flagstaff Ranger District, and 200 permits for Fir, Pinyon Pine, or Ponderosa Pine trees within the three designated areas of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. This office is not open on November 23 or 24 (Saturday and Sunday).
The Red Rock Ranger District will sell a limited number of permits November 23 and 24 (Saturday and Sunday only), or until all permits are sold. There will be 50 permits for the Pinyon and Juniper trees within two designated Christmas tree cutting areas in the Flagstaff Ranger District, and 50 permits for Fir, Pinyon Pine, or Ponderosa Pine trees within the three designated areas of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Prescribe burn north of Mormon Lake this morning
FLAGSTAFF — Fire managers are planning to conduct a prescribed burn on the Flagstaff Ranger District just north of Mormon Lake starting this morning. The Upper Lake Mary 3 project is slated for 919 acres, to be completed in one day.
The area is approximately 15 miles southeast of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.014971, -111.463811
This is an initial-entry burn conducted by drip torch and helicopter. This burn’s specific objectives are to protect Pine Grove Campground and Lake Mary Road corridor from any southwesterly fire threats and to help lessen any potential wildland fires that may start near Pinegrove Campground. Since this is an initial-entry burn, smoke will be thicker and more noticeable than a maintenance burn due to the amount of forest fuels in the burn area.
Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the southwest, which may impact Lake Mary Road in the area, Interstate 17, Mormon Lake Village, and Munds Park. No area closures are expected.
For more information on how prescribed burns are planned and why they are used in this ecosystem, please see “Planning for and Implementing Prescribed Fire in Fire-Dependent Forests.”