Category Archives: National Government

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

Mount Elden will have 27 acres of forest hand-thinned

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fseprd505663FLAGSTAFF — As part of the Flagstaff Water Protection Project, Coconino National Forest crews will begin hand-thinning 27 acres of forest around Mount Elden Wednesday (June 15) near the Rocky Ridge Trail for the next two months.

The thinning operations will be off of the Mount Elden Lookout Road (Forest Road 557), with the majority of the unit being north and west of the trail causing very little impact to users of Rocky Ridge Trail. The work crews will place signs on the trail on each end stating “tree work ahead” when necessary.

Forest Service personnel will be parking along Mount Elden Lookout road near the Rocky Ridge trail head, so forest goers should be cautious of the firefighters working in the area over the next two months.

Visit the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project for more information about the important work being done to protect Flagstaff area watersheds and communities.

Developed recreation sites on Coconino NF exempt from fire restrictions

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FLAGSTAFF — Certain developed recreation sites on the Coconino National Forest are exempt from fire restrictions, which began June 15, 2016 at 8 a.m. across the forest.

Under the restrictions, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are not allowed throughout the forest—unless in a developed recreation site.  However, fires are never advised anywhere during a Red Flag Warning such as was issued today by the National Weather Service.

The following list includes the only developed recreation sites on the Coconino National Forest exempt from fire restrictions. Note that campfires, and charcoal, coal and wood fires are prohibited at Forest Service rental cabins during Stage I and Stage II fire restrictions.

On the Flagstaff Ranger District (listed in alphabetical order):

  • Ashurst Lake Campground
  • Bonito Campground
  • Canyon Vista Campground
  • Dairy Springs Campground
  • Double Springs Campground
  • Forked Pine Campground
  • Flagstaff Nordic Center Lodge
  • Lake View Campground
  • Locket Meadow Campground
  • Narrows Picnic Area
  • O’leary Group Campground
  • Pine Grove Campground
  • Upper Lake Mary Boating Site

On the Red Rock Ranger District (which includes Oak Creek Canyon):

  • Banjo Bill Day-Use Site
  • Beaver Creek Day-Use Site
  • Bootlegger Day-Use Site
  • Cave Springs Campground
  • Chavez Group Site Campground
  • Clear Creek Campground
  • Crescent Moon Ranch Day-Use Site
  • Encinoso Day-Use Site
  • Grasshopper Point Day-Use Site
  • Halfway Day-Use Site
  • Lawrence Crossing Campground
  • Manzanita Campground
  • Pine Flats Campground

On the Mogollon Rim Ranger District:

  • Blue Ridge Campground
  • Clints Well Campground
  • Moqui Group Site Campground
  • Rock Crossing Campground

USFWS withdraws draft Recreational Boating Compatibility Determination for Havasu Wildlife Refuge, citing need for further deliberation

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usfwsLAKE HAVASU CITY — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has withdrawn its draft Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Recreational Boating Compatibility Determination (CD) for further consideration and deliberation.

According to a June 16 USFWS news release, the Service received and reviewed a substantial number of comments during the formal comment period seeking reconsideration of the draft CD. Sen. John McCain and Rep. Paul Gosar requested the draft be withdrawn.

“After reflecting on input we received at public meetings and the great numbers of letters and comments submitted, I have reached the conclusion that more communication is needed before any additional changes are introduced at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge,” said Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, USFWS southwest regional director, in the news release. “I have decided to withdraw the current draft CD at this time to allow for further discussions with the community and other stakeholders.”

“We’re appreciative that Director Tuggle changed course and that the USFWS recognized the need for a more robust public comment and community engagement process regarding this important issue,” said Kurt R. Davis, chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. “A much broader base of public input than originally was sought is vital in determining the best plan to protect the local economy, recreational opportunity and wildlife conservation.”

The USFWS news release stated that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will provide the framework for ongoing dialogue with the community and interested parties. A representative from the Service’s Southwest Regional Office will lead the coordination effort with city officials and other vested parties and develop possible collaborative measures that ensure natural resource conservation is managed consistently with compatible recreational uses. This coordination will provide the foundation for the Service to develop a revised draft CD to share with the public.

Bert fire in Valle increases in size

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VALLE — The Bert Fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest is showing a substantial increase in activity and is expected to grow considerably while warmer weather continues over northern Arizona. The lightning-caused Bert fire was discovered May 28 and it was decided to manage the fire to burn fuels and return the land to grass land.

The fire is approximately 3850-acres and burning ten-miles southeast of Valle on highway 180 near Ebert Mountain.

With the steady increase in temperatures and lower relative humidity over the area, fire officials are anticipating an increase in fire activity over the next few days. The current weather pattern is expected to be short term, however, with a chance of moisture predicted to return by the middle of next week. Fire behavior and smoke impacts will likely diminish as cooler weather arrives.

An increase in smoke production is expected and will be noticeable from interstate 40, Highways 180 and 64 and from several adjacent communities including Valle, Tusayan, Williams, Flagstaff, Parks, Spring Valley and Cameron. Smoke may impact these communities periodically depending on shifting wind direction and changing weather patterns. Predominant southwest winds are expected to transport smoke away from adjacent residential areas however some smoke may occasionally drift over the Coconino rim to the northeast.

Wildcat fire grows considerably

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FREDONIA — The lightning-caused Wildcat Fire discovered Monday became more active this afternoon and rapidly grew to an estimated 2,000-acres on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Yesterday it was at 72-acres and 50% contained.

The fire is located South of Highway 89A and southwest of the Forest Road 8910 and 211 junction within the vicinity of the South Canyon trailhead in Saddle Mountain Wilderness. The fire is currently burning in a northeast direction from the House Rock Buffalo Ranch.

The fire is currently burning in a wilderness area and there are no reports of danger to structures or evacuations.

Firefighters respond to Wildcat Fire in Saddle Mountain Wilderness

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FREDONIA — North Zone firefighters on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are currently responding to a new fire start called the Wildcat Fire, which was discovered earlier today. They intend to suppress the fire which is about 20-acres.

The fire is south of Highway 89A and southwest of the Forest Road 8910 and 211 junction within the vicinity of the South Canyon trailhead in Saddle Mountain Wilderness. Visitors can expect to see smoke as the wildfire is highly visible from Highway 89A.

The Wildcat Fire is primarily wind driven and currently moving north-northeast. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

Fire restrictions to begin Wednesday on four National Forests

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FLAGSTAFF/WILLIAMS/PRESCOTT — Campfire and smoking restrictions will begin 8 a.m. Wednesday (June 15) on the Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in order to protect public health and reduce preventable human-caused fires.

Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are allowed in developed campgrounds only, which are managed by concessionaires or have campground hosts. The restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in developed campgrounds. 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 clear of flammable materials. Fireworks are always prohibited on all National Forest lands. On the Prescott National Forest, Stage I restrictions will not allow shooting firearms due to the drier conditions. However, this activity will be allowed on the other National Forests.

The forests use fire restrictions to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of users during periods of 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, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Additional restrictions may be applied as conditions warrant. In-depth details and criteria for implementing fire restrictions can be found online at http://tinyurl.com/firerestrictionscriteria. Additionally, an explanation of the different stages of fire restrictions and what is typically prohibited during those stages can be found online at http://tinyurl.com/firestagesexplained.

Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the forests receive significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded.

Forest officials would also like to remind forest users that building and maintaining a campfire on the National Forest while under fire restrictions is a violation that carries a mandatory appearance in federal court. Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands during fire season.

Know Before You Go!  The public can obtain additional fire information via the following:

Bert fire continues to restore forest

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Kaibab Forest Service photo

Kaibab Forest Service photo

VALLE — The Bert Fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest continues to increase in size daily and is expected to follow this pattern until annual monsoon precipitation arrives. The lightning-caused fire started May 28, 2016.

The fire, located ten-miles southeast of Valle near Ebert Mountain, has grown to almost 3400 acres. Smoke will continue to be visible from Highways 180 and 64 and from the community of Valle. Volume will fluctuate from day to day depending on weather and fire activity. Predominant winds are pushing most of the smoke away from Valle, but some will continue to drift into Valle and Flagstaff.

The Bert Fire is moving through pinyon juniper woodlands and is reducing tree stand density meeting the desired objectives to restore historic grasslands.

Kaibab National Forest photo

Kaibab National Forest photo

Reservoir Fire remains at 138 acres

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Clints Well, Ariz. — The fire that has burned up to 138 acres has not grown in the past three days thanks to firefighter efforts and coordination between state and federal resources. The cause of the fire was determined to be an abandoned campfire. This is just one of the approximately 150 abandoned campfires left by campers in the Coconino National Forest in the past two weeks. Campers are required to have water and tools to extinguish fire cold-to-touch prior to leaving their campsites.

About 40 firefighters are currently assigned to the fire. Motorized access to the reservoir remains closed to the public through the weekend for public and fire crew safety, but is expected to reopen soon after. Rock Crossing Campground remains open. Current containment is 65 percent, with expected higher containment each day.

Crews conducted successful burnout operations Tuesday, limiting the fire to areas along the south shore of the reservoir. A boat will continue to be used to shuttle fire personnel and equipment across the reservoir and coordination between state and federal firefighting resources will continue for the duration of the fire.

Hunter Moore, the Governor’s natural resources policy advisor, and State Forester Jeff Whitney visited the fire area Tuesday and were briefed by the incident commander on the efforts and coordination of federal, state and cooperator resources assigned to the fire.

“I am grateful that our responders were so aggressive in protecting the C.C. Cragin watershed,” said Moore. “It’s a critical piece of infrastructure and we cannot afford irreparable damage to this resource. This serves to highlight the important work collaborating agencies and industry are doing to restore the forest.”