Category Archives: National Government

Forest Service fosters stewardship through youth conservation education

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WILLIAMS – In late June, Kaibab National Forest employees spent time educating young campers at the Pine Combs 4-H Camp near Williams in order to help create future public land stewards. The 34 campers, ranging in age from 9 to 13, eagerly participated as specialists showcased natural and cultural resources from across the Kaibab National Forest.

“The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth through experiential learning programs and positive youth development,” said Misti Todd, youth development program coordinator for Pinal County 4-H. “Our slogan is ‘learn by doing’ and having the representatives from the Forest Service come and interact with our kids helps to not only broaden their horizons, but allows them to learn things while they are in the situation.”Over two days, the 4-H campers and counselors were treated to a series of interactive programs and activities presented by Kaibab National Forest specialists. On the first day, fire prevention specialists provided information on fire safety and protecting public lands through Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Kids also learned how to extinguish a fake campfire and participated in an exercise designed to highlight the importance of forest restoration treatments. Even Smokey Bear made an appearance, reminding campers, “Only you can prevent wildfires.”

The second day brought a rotation of activities, with four separate stations highlighting Kaibab National Forest resources. At one station, campers learned about forest restoration and tree measurement tools with a forester from the Williams Ranger District. Under the guidance of an archaeologist, kids were given the chance to replicate 3,000-year-old willow branch figurines using pipe cleaner. Soon, the campers were excitedly trotting their colorful, deer-like miniatures around the table, giggling as they playfully sparred with each other.

“It is crucial that we pass on messages of conservation to youth so that when they visit the forest, they do so with respect for public lands,” said Neil Weintraub, an archaeologist with the Kaibab National Forest. “For archaeology, this is critical. Artifacts and cultural sites are fragile and irreplaceable traces of history, so conserving them on the landscape is critical to be able to reconstruct the past.”

Additional programs included outdoor safety and orienteering. During the outdoor safety session, campers learned the importance of being prepared and packing the correct equipment. As part of the orienteering lesson, the kids were taught to use a map and compass. Forest Service specialists even brought along aerial maps of the camp, giving the kids a birds-eye view of everything from the outhouses to the dining hall.

“For many of the 4-H campers, this was one of their first experiences with a National Forest and meeting Forest Service employees. I think they got to see another side of Arizona and were interested in the skills presented by our employees,” said Mark Christiano, GIS coordinator for the Kaibab National Forest. “The best way to protect and conserve our public lands is though creating good stewards of the forest. This all starts with our youth, helping them to make that connection to the outdoors. We plant the seeds now to grow strong stewards of the future.”

For pictures of Kaibab National Forest’s involvement in the Pine Combs 4-H Camp, please visit the Flickr album at bit.ly/4HKidsCamp2018.

Kaibab National Forest to Manage Three New Lightning Caused Fires

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Officials on the Kaibab National Forest will begin managing three new lightning caused wildfires for the benefit of accomplishing land management objectives that include reducing hazardous fuel accumulations and restoring overall forest health.

The Pine Ridge fire at 5 acres and the JD fire at half an acre were discovered on July 8 and are located on the southern portion of the Williams Ranger District near Pine Flat. The 1 acre Blue fire also discovered on July 8 is located approximately 5 miles east of Red Butte on the Tusayan Ranger District. All of these fires will be monitored closely over the next several days with the intent of allowing fire to burn as it would naturally over the landscape as long as it can be safely managed while benefiting forest resources.Each of these fires will have a designated planning area that will identify management objective priorities within the individual locations.

Recent moisture from monsoon rains has created ideal conditions to allow for low to moderate fire intensity to occur in these areas that are in a predominant ponderosa pine fuel type. Weather forecasts are predicting more rain in the week ahead so growth potential is expected to be minimal over the next several days.

Smoke may be visible at times from the surrounding areas. Fire managers will monitor smoke closely and take precautions to minimize impacts to adjacent residential areas. Motorists are asked to be aware of fire personnel and vehicles and use caution when driving near the vicinity of these fires.

For additional information on these fires and for the Kaibab National Forest the following sources are available:

InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5916/ inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5917/ inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5918/
Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Twitter: twitter.com/kaibabnf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF/
Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311.

Fire restrictions to be lifted Wednesday on Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts

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WILLIAMS – Due to significant and widespread precipitation south of the Grand Canyon, the Kaibab National Forest will lift all fire restrictions across the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts at 8 a.m. Wednesday as well as the area closure of the Bill Williams Mountain watershed. Due to different weather conditions, however, Stage II fire restrictions will remain in effect for the entire North Kaibab Ranger District, which is located north of the Grand Canyon.

As of Wednesday morning, there will be no fire restrictions in effect on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts. The districts have received a substantial amount of rain over the last few days with more in the forecast. The area closure of the Bill Williams Mountain watershed will also be lifted, and visitors can once again camp, hike and drive in the popular recreation area.

“I want to express my appreciation to our local communities and visitors for their outstanding compliance with fire restrictions this year,” said Art Gonzales, fire staff officer for the Kaibab National Forest. “We had an incredibly low number of human-caused wildfire starts on the forest despite being in extreme fire danger and having one of the driest periods on record in many years. When members of the public abide by fire restrictions and closures, they greatly help us in protecting their public lands and adjacent communities from the threats posed by human-caused wildfires.”

The North Kaibab Ranger District has not yet received the amount of precipitation seen on the southern two districts of the Kaibab National Forest and will therefore remain in Stage II fire restrictions until rainfall amounts increase.

Under the Stage II fire restrictions that will remain in effect on the North Kaibab Ranger District, 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.)

Exemptions to the Stage II fire restrictions that will remain in effect on the North Kaibab Ranger District 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 applicable laws and 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.

Due to the lack of precipitation over last winter and the rapidly increasing fire danger, forest officials first implemented campfire and smoking restrictions, also known as Stage I fire restrictions, across the entire Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts on April 27. Those were quickly increased to Stage II fire restrictions on May 4, with the closure of the Bill Williams Mountain watershed implemented on May 11. The Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts have remained in Stage II fire restrictions with the Bill Williams Mountain area closure since that time.

The North Kaibab Ranger District first entered Stage I fire restrictions on May 18 and then increased to Stage II on June 8. Because of its location north of the Grand Canyon, the North Kaibab Ranger District frequently enters fire restrictions and then remains in them later than the rest of the Kaibab National Forest, as is the case this year.

Fire restrictions and area closures are implemented when necessary in order to protect human life, property and natural resources. The Forest Service uses fire restrictions and area closures in order to prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions.

For more information about the Kaibab National Forest and any fire restrictions in effect, reference the following sources:

Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
Arizona Fire Restrictions: firerestrictions.us/az

Lightning sparks wildfire on North Kaibab Ranger District

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FREDONIA — North Zone fire personnel are responding to a lightning-caused wildfire in the vicinity of Sowats Point located on the North Kaibab Ranger District of Kaibab National Forest. The fire began shortly after 2 p.m. and is estimated to be approximately 20 acres.

This lightning-caused wildfire is the first to occur since the North Kaibab Ranger District went into fire restrictions, and as monsoonal activity creeps closer, lightning strikes will become more common. Fire officials would like to remind visitors that the forest is still in Stage II fire restrictions, and will remain in effect until significant moisture arrives.

Forest officials would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the national forest while under fire restrictions is a violation of the law requiring a mandatory appearance in federal court and consequent fines and possibly jail time. Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands during fire season.

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

Firefighters halt spread of Prairie Dog Fire near Williams

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Kaibab Forest Service photo

WILLIAMS – Firefighters with the Kaibab National Forest, Williams Fire Department and other local agencies have halted the spread of the 5-acre Prairie Dog Fire, located immediately north of Interstate 40 about a mile east of the City of Williams and just west of Highway 64.

Due to the success of the suppression efforts in limiting the wildfire’s spread, the evacuation of Kaibab Lake Campground on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has been lifted. Campers may return to the campground immediately.

Fire resources remain on scene and will continue working through the evening toward containment of the Prairie Dog Fire.

The wildfire began on private property and moved onto the Kaibab National Forest. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.

For more information, reference the following sources:

Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

Kaibab National Forest and Williams Fire Department respond to Prairie Dog Fire

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest and Williams Fire Department are responding to the 2-acre Prairie Dog Fire located just north of Interstate 40 about a mile east of the City of Williams and west of Highway 64.

Due to the potential for the wildfire to grow, the Williams Police Department is evacuating Kaibab Lake Campground and asking visitors to stay clear of the area while fire suppression efforts continue. No additional structures are threatened at this time.

Fire resources on scene include five engines, one dozer, two water tenders and several individual firefighting personnel. The Flagstaff Hotshot crew is en route and a helicopter has arrived.

The wildfire began on private property and has moved onto the Kaibab National Forest. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.

Stage II fire restrictions and Bill Williams Mountain closure remain in effect on Kaibab National Forest despite recent rain

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WILLIAMS — While the Kaibab National Forest received some rain over the weekend, forest managers would like to remind visitors that fire danger levels continue to be elevated and that Stage II fire restrictions as well as an area closure of the Bill Williams Mountain watershed will remain in place until much more significant and widespread precipitation is received.

Officials emphasize that the Kaibab National Forest is still at the height of its fire season and that northern Arizona continues to have the potential for large, severe wildfires. The Kaibab National Forest needs the public’s continued support in preventing unwanted, human-caused wildfires.

“We have had excellent compliance with the fire restrictions and area closure that are already in place on the Kaibab National Forest,” said Jerry Parker, Forest Service law enforcement officer. “Members of the public can continue to do their part in protecting our forests by remaining vigilant and abiding by all fire restrictions and area closures.”

The Forest Service uses fire restrictions and closures to help prevent unwanted, human-caused wildfires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions.

Forest officials 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.

For detailed information about the Stage II fire restrictions and the area closure of the Bill Williams Mountain watershed currently in effect on the Kaibab National Forest, reference 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

Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon National Park to implement additional fire restrictions starting this Friday

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FREDONIA — The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service will implement additional fire restrictions, also known as Stage II fire restrictions, across the North Kaibab Ranger District, and the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon of Grand Canyon National Park beginning at 8 a.m. this Friday. Visitors should be mindful that these new fire restrictions will limit certain activities and will remain in effect until rescinded, which typically occurs after significant and widespread moisture arrives and fire danger levels subside.

As a reminder, the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts are already in Stage II fire restrictions and will also remain in effect until lifted.

Under the Stage II fire restrictions to be implemented Friday across the North Kaibab Ranger District, 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 explosives or fireworks on National Forest lands).

Under the Stage II fire restrictions to be implemented Friday across Grand Canyon National Park, the following are prohibited:

  • All wood burning and charcoal fires, campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbecues will be prohibited throughout the Park. The restriction encompasses the entire Park including all campgrounds and residential areas to include: Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Campground and Indian Garden Campground.
  • Park stores will not sell firewood during this time.
  • These restrictions include all backcountry permit holders and thru-hikers.

Exemptions to the Stage II fire restrictions on the North Kaibab Ranger District 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.

Exemptions to the Stage II fire restrictions on Grand Canyon National Park include the following:

  • Pressurized liquid gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters with shut-off devices are allowed.
  • Boats within the Colorado River corridor are exempted from the Stage II restriction.

 

On the Kaibab Plateau, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service fire managers work together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program. Here North Zone Fire Managers use 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. These factors include but are not limited to the following:

  • Current and predicted weather patterns
  • Fuel moistures, a variety of science-based indices, and fire activity levels
  • Available firefighting resources
  • Additional restrictions may be applied anytime conditions warrant

On National Forest Lands, fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area covered by the restrictions receives significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded. However, Grand Canyon National Park operates under Stage I Fire Restrictions year round, except in certain circumstances where fire managers must increase to Stage II fire restrictions because the criteria listed above dictates a need to do so.

Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands when fire danger is increased. Fire managers would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the National Forest or National Park while under fire restrictions is a violation of law requiring a mandatory appearance in federal court, consequent fines, and possible jail time.

As a reminder, these fire restrictions apply to the entire Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park. Additionally, 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 the jurisdictional boundaries of any Federal Land Management Agency.

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

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.

Kaibab National Forest to implement fire restrictions on North Kaibab Ranger District starting this Friday

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FREDONIA — The Kaibab National Forest will implement campfire and smoking restrictions, also known as Stage I fire restrictions, on the North Kaibab Ranger District beginning at 8 a.m. this Friday. As a reminder, Stage II fire restrictions are already in effect across the entire Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts and will continue until significant precipitation is received.

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

· Big Springs Rental Cabins
· Jacob Lake Campground
· Jacob Lake Group Campground & Picnic Site
· DeMotte Campground

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 North Kaibab Ranger District 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