Category Archives: National Government

Highway 180 reopens as 11,000-acre Slate Fire moves east

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FLAGSTAFF — Highway 180 has reopened following a week-long closure caused by the Slate Fire, which is located 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff and is now at 11,012 acres and at 16 percent containment.
While Highway 180 has reopened, motorists are asked to reduce their speeds and keep an eye out for crews still working in the area. Additional portions of the Coconino National Forest are closed to the public for safety reasons.
Adverse wind shifts Monday contributed to the spread of the fire, and crews spent the day using engines, hand crews, dozers, and helicopter water bucket drops to tend to spot fires on the south side of the fire.
Crews also took advantage of adverse winds by running a line of retardant on the west side of Missouri Bill Hill, followed by dozer and crew work Monday night in an effort to protect firefighter safety.
Crews plan to spend Tuesday continuing to secure Cedar Ranch with two engines while putting water on hot spots in the area. Additionally, resources will likely be relocated from the west side of Highway 180 to the southeast side of the fire. Work is still being done to survey archaeological sites in the area.
Several recreation sites in the area remain closed, including the Red Mountain and Slate Mountain trailheads, Kendrick Cabin and a portion of the Arizona Trail from Kelly Tank (mile 603.3) to Cedar Ranch (mile 616.2). A Forest Order was also issued over the weekend to close nearby parts of the Coconino National Forest.
About 190 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, including three Hotshot crews, two hand crews, nine engines, three water tenders, two dozers, two helicopters and miscellaneous overhead.
The fire was called in by a Coconino County Sheriff’s Officer at 3 a.m., and the cause is still under investigation.
SLATE FIRE OVERVIEW:
  • Current size: 11,012 acres
  • Containment: 16 percent
  • Reported: 3 a.m. June 7, 2021.
  • Cause: Under investigation.
  • Origin location: Roughly 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff. (35.492, -111.847)
  • Fuel types: Pine, pinyon, juniper, brush.
  • Current resources: Three Hotshot crews, two hand crews, nine engines, three water tenders, two dozers, two helicopters and misc. overhead. Total personnel: Approximately 190.
  • Predicted smoke impacts: Winds will continue to move in a northeast direction Monday and into Tuesday.
  • Current closures: A portion of the Arizona Trail from mile 603.3 to 616.2, Slate Mountain and Red Mountain trailheads and Kendrick Cabin. A Forest Order was issued Saturday closing parts of the forest located near the fire for safety reasons.
  • Recent and current operations: Crews are tending to spot fires, conducting bucket work with helicopters and securing lines. A line of retardant was dropped and crews continue to secure Cedar Ranch.

Central West Type 3 Incident Management Team assumes management of Cornville Fire

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SEDONA — The Central West Type 3 IMT assumed command of the Cornville Fire Monday evening, which has grown to 1,241 acres just east of the Cornville community and is currently zero percent contained.

The wildfire, reported on Sunday at about 12:30 p.m., was mistakenly reported that it originated from a structure on fire on private property. Investigators have found that the origin of the fire actually began on national forest land and rapidly grew throughout Sunday, encroaching upon private land.

The fire activity for Monday was minimal and burned away from homes and populated areas, while firefighters worked to secure lines around Cornville.“Firefighters have done good work the last couple of days on suppression efforts around the community,” said Incident Commander Trainee Charles Ebert. “We’re continuing to focus on suppression efforts around the communities and on the north flank of the fire. Forward progress of the fire has been slowed or stopped.”

Firefighters patrolled the fire lines overnight and will be focusing today on the northern and eastern flanks to keep the fire from progressing any further.

Extremely warm temperatures and windy conditions will persist throughout the next several days and will challenge firefighters as they work to increase containment of the fire and keep it from moving or growing any further.

There are currently no evacuations or structures threatened, but residents in the area are encouraged to remained prepared and be ready to evacuate if necessary.

V Bar V Heritage Site, Red Rock visitor center to reopen next week

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FLAGSTAFF — The V Bar V Heritage Site and the Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center will both reopen to the public beginning next week.
V Bar V Heritage Site:
The V Bar V Heritage Site, located at 6750 N. Forest Road 618 in Rimrock, will reopen on June 18.
Operating hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Monday.
COVID-19 restrictions include group size limitations and requested mask usage for unvaccinated individuals.
Either an America the Beautiful Interagency Pass or a Red Rock Pass (available on site) is required for access to the heritage site.
V Bar V is a rock art/ ceremonial site that features more than 1,000 petroglyphs and is largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley.
Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center:
The Red Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center, located at 8375 Highway 179 in Sedona, will reopen June 14.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday, and noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The Arizona Natural History Association Gift Shop will be open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Several COVID-19 restrictions will be in effect. Capacity inside the building will be limited to 20 visitors at a time, and social distancing is encouraged. Visitors who have not been vaccinated are asked to wear a mask, and visitors who wish to remain outside are welcome to call 928-203-2900 for assistance, or to visit the informational kiosk outside the building next to the parking lot.

Slate Fire at 6,248 acres, 17 percent containment

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FLAGSTAFF — The Slate Fire, located 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff along both the east and west sides of Highway 180, is now at 6,248 acres and 17 percent containment.

Windy and active wildfire conditions, along with burnout operations, are the main factors in the growth of the fire, which is still moving in a northeastern direction.

Crews plan to spend Friday conducting firing operations on the west side of Slate Mountain to bring the fire out to control lines. The firing operations are expected to last 24 to 48 hours, and will allow crews to hold control lines on the west side of Slate Mountain and then shift remaining resources to the east side of the fire. Crews also plan to utilize natural fuel breaks and allow the fire to burn thicker fuels.

Highway 180 remains closed between mileposts 235 and 248 due to smoke impact and crew work in the area. The Arizona Department of Transportation will install a new guardrail, and crews will need to remove potentially hazardous dead trees alongside the road before the stretch of 180 can be reopened. ADOT estimates the earliest the highway could open is Sunday, but that is still to be determined.

Crews continue to secure Cedar Ranch and several archaeological sites in the area. Recreation sites in the area remain closed, including the Red Mountain and Slate Mountain trailheads, Kendrick Cabin and a portion of the Arizona Trail from Kelly Tank (mile 603.3) to Cedar Ranch (mile 616.2).

About 140 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, including three Hotshot crews, two hand crews, seven engines, two water tenders, two dozers, one helicopter and miscellaneous overhead.

The fire was called in by a Coconino County Sheriff’s Officer at 3 a.m., and the cause is still under investigation. Motorists should avoid Highway 180 north of Kendrick Park, and visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park should use Highway 64 from Williams to access the entrance to the Park.

  • Current size: 6,248 acres
  • Containment: 17 percent
  • Reported: June 7, 2021 at 3 a.m.
  • Cause: Under investigation.
  • Origin location: Roughly 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff. (35.492, -111.847)
  • Fuel types: Pine, pinyon, juniper, brush.
  • Current resources: Three Hotshot crews, two hand crews, seven engines, two water tenders, two dozers, one helicopter, miscellaneous overhead personnel. Total personnel: Approximately 140.
  • Predicted smoke impacts: Southwest winds will push smoke across Highway 180 in the area, as well as impact Cedar Ranch and possibly areas of Kendrick Park and Wupatki National Monument.
  • Current closures: Highway 180 from MP 235-248. Portion of the Arizona Trail from mile 603.3 to 616.2.
  • Recent and current operations: Burnout operations west of Highway 180 and indirect tactics east of Highway 180, along with structure protection around Cedar Ranch.

Fire Restrictions Elevated to Stage 2 Across All National Forest and Coconino County

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions across the entire forest on June 11 at 8 a.m. due to increasing fire danger and the need to prevent human-caused wildfires during potentially dangerous fire conditions.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions also go into effect in the Coconino and Prescott Forests and Coconino County.

A temporary area closer order will also be implemented to protect the Bill Williams Mountain watershed just southwest of the City of Williams due to the area’s susceptibility to uncharacteristically severe wildfire and the post-wildfire flooding that would potentially result.

STAGE 2 PROHIBITIONS:

1. Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.

THE FOLLOWING ACTS ARE PROHIBITED FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M.:

3. Operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting during industrial operations or firewood gathering capable of igniting a fire.
4. Using an explosive.
5. Blasting, welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame.

EXEMPTIONS:

1. Persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.
2. Persons operating generators with an approved spark arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the generator.

CLOSURE AREA:

The restricted area in the Bill Williams Mountain Closure consists of all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundary beginning at the junction of County Road (CR) 73 and eastbound Old Route 66 in the City of Williams, then traveling south along CR 73 to its junction with Forest Road (FR)122, then following FR 122 west to its junction with FR 108, then following FR 108 north to its junction with I-40, then following I-40 east to the junction with Old Route 66 at the Country Club exit, then following Old Route 66 east, back to the point of beginning at its junction with CR 73, as depicted in Exhibit A of Order Number 03-07-21-13.

Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions.

These decisions normally occur when fire danger levels are very high and the potential for wildfire occurrences significantly increase. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include carefully measuring current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought, and available firefighting resources. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the forests receive significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded, and the public notified.

Additional restrictions may be applied as conditions warrant. More information about the different stages of fire restrictions can be found on line at: bit.ly/KNF-FireRestrictions

Know Before You Go! The public can obtain current state and federal fire restrictions information across Arizona at wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions, and at the Coconino County website at: www.coconino.az.gov/firerestrictions

Slate Fire grows to 100 acres, leads to closures along Hwy 180

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Coconino Forest photo

FLAGSTAFF — The Slate Fire which began early this morning is located approximately 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff on the west side of U.S. Highway 180 and has grown to roughly 100 acres throughout the day.

Portions of Highway 180 will be closed throughout the remainder of the day and into the evening as responders work to contain the fire and conduct burnout operations.

About 100 personnel — including three Hotshot crews, six engines, a helicopter, water tender, and dozer — are currently on scene.

Motorists should avoid Highway 180 north of Kendrick Park, and visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park should use Highway 64 from Williams in order to access the entrance to the Park.

Though no structures are threatened at this time, recreation sites in the area, including the Red Mountain and Slate Mountain trailheads and Kendrick Cabin, have been closed.

The fire was called in by a Coconino County Sheriff’s Officer at 3 a.m.

Coconino NF responding to 20-plus-acre Slate Fire

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest is responding to the 20-plus-acre Slate Fire located in the northern part of the Flagstaff Ranger District near Highway 180 and the border of the Kaibab National Forest.

Roughly 50 personnel — including four engines, two crews, a water tender and a dozer — have been dispatched to the fire.

Traffic along Highway 180 may be affected.

The fire was called in at about 4 a.m. and the cause is still under investigation.

Coconino NF seeks input on Mt. Elden/Dry Lake Hills project

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest is seeking public input on a proposed project to improve non-motorized trails in the Mt. Elden/ Dry Lake Hills area just outside the city of Flagstaff.

The Mt. Elden/Dry Lake Hills (MEDL) Recreation Planning Project includes proposed trail construction, relocation, re-routes, closures and improvements. It includes the construction and improvements of trailheads and will make improvements in the Mt. Elden Environmental Study Area. It also aims to identify appropriate trail systems for special-use permit events.

As the most popular and heavily used recreation area on the Flagstaff Ranger District, frequent use of the MEDL area has led to both deteriorating conditions on existing trails as well as a system of unauthorized trails.

In addition to developing a premier trail system, the MEDL project will also respond to ongoing negative impacts from unsustainable recreational uses, which affect natural resources such as wildlife, watershed and soil conditions, recreational experience, and vegetation.

The proposed plan has been modified based on comments received during last fall’s scoping period, in addition to numerous meetings with partners and stakeholders. The goal of the MEDL plan is to protect natural land and cultural resources while providing opportunities for forest visitors to enjoy public land.

The public comment period will run for 30 days, from June 1 to July 1.

An environmental analysis, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, has been prepared and can be found on the Coconino National Forest’s website.

The Coconino National Forest will hold several informational events throughout the 30-day comment period, as listed below. Advance registration is not required.

  • 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 5: Forest Service representatives will staff a kiosk located at “The Y” Schultz Creek Natural Area, at the intersection of Mount Elden Lookout and Schultz Pass roads
  • 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, June 20: Forest Service staff will be available at the Flagstaff Community Market farmers market, located at City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave.
  • 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 22: Forest Service staff will be available at the Ramadas at Buffalo Park, located at 2400 N. Gemini Road

In addition, timely, project-specific written comments can be submitted online. Comments must be received by June 30 to be considered for analysis.

Only those who submit comments — as defined by 36 CFR 218.2 — will be eligible to file an objection after a draft decision notice is issued, which is anticipated to happen during the summer of 2021.

For additional information, please contact Environmental Coordinator Christine Handler at 559-920-2188 or christine.handler@usda.gov, or Recreation Staff Pat McGervey at 928-526-0866 or patrick.mcgervey@usda.gov.

Coordinated law enforcement & volunteer efforts result in cleaner forests, protection of habitat, safer off-road use

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FLAGSTAFF — Memorial Day weekend was marked by efforts that resulted in a safer and cleaner Coconino National Forest, thanks to Arizona law enforcement officers, employees with state and federal agencies, along with volunteer organizations. Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), and the U.S Forest Service recently conducted several joint law enforcement efforts on the Coconino National Forest over Memorial Day weekend.

Prior to the holiday weekend, employees of these agencies and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, along with volunteers from National Forest Foundation, Oak Creek Watershed Council, and Friends of Northern Arizona Forests, spent several hours picking up trash at popular camping areas in the Coconino National Forest at the headwaters of Oak Creek Canyon. A 20-yard dumpster donated by Waste Management Group was filled with trash left in the forest by about 30 volunteers.

Law enforcement personnel then contacted campers as they were leaving their campsites to ensure camping areas were left as clean as when they arrived. Ten citations and 11 warnings were issued over the holiday weekend, while another 27 citations and four warnings were given last Labor Day weekend.

“This was the most thorough saturation patrol I have seen, demonstrating tremendous collaboration, planning and follow through between the Forest Service, Law Enforcement agencies and public interest groups,” said Forest Service Patrol Captain Andy Pederson. “A big thanks to Game and Fish for all the pre-work that made this event a success.”

Additionally, law enforcement agencies conducted an off-highway vehicle (OHV) patrol on the Coconino National Forest targeting unlawful off-road vehicle travel that was damaging sensitive wildlife habitat. CCSO made 144 contacts with OHVs which resulted in 25 citations, two of which were injury accidents. AZGFD made 168 contacts with OHVs, resulting in 17 citations, 11 of which were for unlawful travel off roads.

Another forest cleanup project will be conducted on June 30 in anticipation of the busy IDEPENDENCE weekend around the fourth of July. For more information about that event, see Pickin’ Up in the Pines online or send an email to sstortz@nationalforests.org.

Kaibab National Forest considers new fiber optic line to support rural communities

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ASH FORK/PAULDEN — The Kaibab National Forest (KNF) is considering authorization of a new fiber optic line between Paulden and Ash Fork, Arizona. Arcadian Infracom 1, LLC has proposed the installation of a high-capacity fiber optic line to create new connectivity for Tribal and rural communities to major metropolitan areas, providing these communities with access to sufficient bandwidth to enable data intensive applications which will benefit public education, healthcare, and economic development.

The southern terminus of the fiber optic line would be located near Paulden and follow the east side of the Arizona Department of Transportation right-of-way for Highway 89 to the vicinity of the Ash Fork. Approximately 50,579 feet (9.58 miles) of the project is proposed to run through the Kaibab National Forest in the Williams Ranger District. The remainder of the line would be on the Prescott National Forest, as well as small sections of state and private lands. The total disturbance on the Kaibab National Forest would be a temporary right-of-way of 17.4 acres (15’ wide x 9.58 miles) for construction, with a permanent right-of-way totaling 11.6 acres (10’ wide x 9.58 miles).

Additional information about the project, including a map, can be found at http://bit.ly/PauldenAshforkFiberOpticPA.

Acting District Ranger Andy Kelher invites public comment about the proposed fiber optic line, and is considering use of this categorical exclusion to authorize the project on the national forest: Additional construction or reconstruction of existing telephone or utility lines in a designated corridor (36 CFR 220.6(e)(2)). If interested, please submit your written comments by June 9, 2021, by email to comments-southwestern-kaibab@usda.gov, mail to 800 South 6th Street, Williams, AZ 86046, or fax to 928-635-8208. For questions, contact Andy Kelher at andrew.kelher@usda.gov or 928-635-8230.