Category Archives: Arizona

Afternoon thunderstorms bring light precipitation over Wilbur Fire

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CLINTS WELL – Afternoon thunderstorms moved over the Wilbur Fire yesterday during ignitions, where outflow winds drifted smoke down West Clear Creek into the Verde Valley and along portions of state Route 260.

Although light precipitation was received crews were able to continue with tactical firing operations throughout the operational shift enhancing holding features along the fire perimeter. Naturally-caused wildfires like the Wilbur Fire provide fire managers with great opportunities to treat the area removing accumulations of hazardous fuels. Reducing hazardous fuels will help reduce the threat of high-severity, high-intensity wildfire to the public, adjacent private property, and communities for future generations.

Yesterday firefighters continued with tactical firing operations progressing south along constructed holding features, Forest Road 142B and tying into FR 142, keeping the fire out of West Clear Creek. Operations will be similar to previous shifts where fire resources plan to patrol, monitor, and secure any areas of concern from previous days ignitions, continue with line prep and improve roadways with the use of heavy equipment throughout the planned fire area.

Temperatures are forecasted to be 79-82 degrees. Winds are expected to be from the south at 10-15 mph allowing for excellent ventilation where smoke can disperse out of the surrounding area. Enough moisture will remain over the fire site for a slight chance of afternoon and evening showers though Tuesday. Winds will generally be light at night with southerly breezes during the day.

The Wilbur Fire is burning in an area with an extensive road system that firefighters are using for travel and as control features. For public and firefighter safety, forest visitors should travel with caution as fire crews will be on roadways during operations.

Impacts from smoke can be expected to be light through the weekend and visible from multiple locations including the Verde Valley and along Lake Mary Road and state Routes 260 and 87. Smoke may linger in drainages and valleys overnight as nighttime temperatures cool and will do so until daytime winds surface.

Contact information and daily updates regarding the Wilbur Fire will continue to be posted on Inciweb.

Prescribed fire continuing on Kendrick and Blue Stem Rx projects this week on Kaibab National Forest

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Backing Fire on Moritz Ridge / Kendrick Prescribed Fire Project – Kaibab National Forest photo

WILLIAMS — Moist weather in northern Arizona continues to endure providing excellent opportunities to keep moving forward with prescribed burns well into the early months of this year. Approximately 16000 acres have been broadcast burned thus far on the Kaibab National Forest, and crews will remain proactive as long as conditions allow.

Treatments may continue on the currently active Kendrick prescribed fire project in the week ahead as well as the next unit on the Blue Stem Rx project located 18 miles southeast of Tusayan.
Fire Managers recognize that as summer rapidly approaches, these windows of opportunity will eventually close as temperatures rise and fuels dry out. Ignitions only occur when environmental conditions at each location align with the parameters outlined in each project specific burn plan.

Area residents and visitors may see and hear a helicopter in the vicinity, as aerial ignitions will occur on portions of these burns. Citizens are strongly urged to refrain from using any type of aerial-drone systems near any active project area that could potentially interfere with aircraft operations.

Crews successfully completed burning 1509 acres on the Three Sisters Rx project on Wednesday last week and forest officials would like to thank the entire community of Williams for their support while this critical piece of ground was treated.

All prescribed fires are subject to approval by an agency administrator, and by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program. To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
The Kaibab National Forest remains committed to providing the public with ongoing updates with as much advance notice as possible. Sign up to receive Kaibab NF news releases in your email.

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Prescribed fires help reduce hazardous fuels that have accumulated due to drought, climate change, insects and disease, and decades of fire suppression. Fire also recycles nutrients back to the soil, promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants, and improves habitat for threatened and endangered species. These efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.
Additional information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the Fire Information Hotline at 928-635-8311.

Congratulations Lt. John Jamison and Lt. Adam Simonsen

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FLAGSTAFF – Congratulations to John Jamison and Adam Simonsen how have been selected to fill the two vacant Operations Lieutenant positions at the Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Jamison will lead the Flagstaff Patrol District and Lieutenant Simonsen will lead the Administrative Sergeant, Search and Rescue, and PIO/community programs areas.

Lt. Jamison and Lt. Simonsen sworn in by Sheriff Driscoll.

Lieutenant Jamison has an extensive career in law enforcement. Lieutenant Jamison has been with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office since 2006. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, John worked for the Williams Police Department for 14 years where he held several assignments, to include Police Officer, Detective, and Sergeant.

Lieutenant Jamison has 31 years of law enforcement experience, consisting of 5 years as a deputy/officer, 3 years as a detective, and 23 years as a Sergeant. As a deputy with CCSO, he was assigned to the Northern Arizona GIITEM Gang Task Force for 2 years. He was the community deputy in Munds Park where he forged partnerships with residents and professionals. He was a key part in starting the Munds Park Neighborhood Watch, which is still one of the most active Neighborhood Watch groups today. John took an innovative approach to addressing community concerns, which made a significant difference in the safety of the community.

Lieutenant Simonsen has been with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office since December of 2020. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office, he worked for the Kingman Police Department for 11 years where he held several assignments, to include Police Officer, Detective, and K9 Officer. Prior to working for the Kingman Police Department, Lt. Simonsen worked as a Detention Officer for the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office for approximately 3 years, where he was promoted to Detention Corporal.

Lieutenant Simonsen has significant experience in several different areas. His training and certifications throughout his career include Bicycle Patrol Training, Supervisor/Leadership Training, General Instructor Certification, Field Training Officer, Taser Instructor, Basic and Advanced Forensic Interviewing, Criminal Interdiction School, K9 Handler School (Narcotics and Patrol), and Pepper Ball Instructor Training. While at the Kingman Police Department, Adam earned the Distinguished Service Award, Department Commendation, Officer of the Year, Lettie Crocker Award (Community Chosen Award), and the Good Conduct Award. Lt. Simonsen is also an Eagle Scout.

We look forward to Lieutenant Jamison and Lieutenant Simonsen’s continued Service to Community in their new role as Lieutenants in the Operations Division at the Sheriff’s Office.

Interstate 17 to close in both directions nightly from Bumble Bee Road to Sunset Point for controlled rock blasting June 5-8

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The Arizona Department of Transportation reminds motorists to plan for overnight full closures and lane restrictions on Interstate 17 during the upcoming week. The work is starting Monday, June 5, and ending the morning of Saturday, June 10, as the I-17 Improvement Project between Anthem Way and Sunset Point continues.

Motorists should allow extra travel time, drive with caution, and reduce their speed around construction personnel and equipment while the following closures and restrictions are in place:

Controlled Rock Blasting Schedule – Expect delays of at least one hour and backups of about two miles.
17

I-17 will be closed in both directions between Bumble Bee Road and Sunset Point (mileposts 248-253) from 10 to 11 p.m. the nights of Monday, June 5, Tuesday, June 6, Wednesday, June 7, and Thursday, June 8, for controlled rock blasting. The on-ramp to southbound I-17 from Sunset Point, and the on-ramp to northbound I-17 from Bumble Bee Road will be closed at the same time.
Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (left lane closed) between Sunset Point and Bumble Bee Road (mileposts 252-250) nightly from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, June 5 to the morning of Friday, June 9, for controlled rock blasting operations.

Other Lane Restrictions Next Week

Northbound

Northbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (left lane closed) near New River Road (mileposts 232-234) nightly from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, June 5 to the morning of Friday, June 9, for earthwork.

Southbound

Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (right lane closed) near Bumble Bee Road (mileposts 248-246) nightly from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, June 5 to the morning of Saturday, June 10, for earthwork.
Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (alternating left- and right-lane closures) between Black Canyon City/Rock Springs and Table Mesa Road (mileposts 242-236) nightly from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, June 5, to the morning of Saturday, June 10, for temporary striping, temporary concrete barrier, bridge demolition at Moores Gulch, and earthwork.
Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (alternating left- and right-lane closures) between Table Mesa Road and New River Road (mileposts 236-232) nightly from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, June 5, to the morning of Friday, June 9, for electrical work and the installation of temporary concrete barrier.
Southbound I-17 will be narrowed to one lane (right lane closed) between New River Road and Anthem Way (mileposts 231-229) nightly from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning the evening of Monday, June 5, to the morning of Friday, June 9, for electrical work.

Expect daytime I-40 ramp closures in Flagstaff June 5-9

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The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising Flagstaff area drivers to plan for I-40 westbound ramp closures at Walnut Canyon Road and Country Club Drive beginning Monday, June 5, through Friday, June 9.

Drivers should allow for extra travel time while the following I-40 ramp closures are in place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Westbound I-40 on- and off-ramps at Walnut Canyon Road will be closed Monday, June 5.
  • Westbound I-40 on- and off-ramps at Country Club Drive will be closed Tuesday, June 6.
  • Westbound I-40 on- and off ramps at Butler Avenue will be closed Wednesday, June 7.
  • Westbound I-40 connecting ramp to northbound I-17 (SR 89A) will be closed Thursday, June 8.

Message boards and roadside signs will be in place to help drivers enter or exit I-40 at the next available traffic interchange.

The restrictions are needed as work continues on the I-40: I-17 to Walnut Canyon Road project. For more information, visit the project web page.

Memorial Day Holiday Closures in Coconino County

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County’s Administrative Offices and Superior Court will be closed in observance of the Memorial Day holiday on Monday May 29, 2023, and will reopen for business on Tuesday.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Records Division will be available between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Animal Services office will have an officer available between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Contact them at 928-679-9756 to leave a message for a return call. Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Parks and Recreation offices will be closed, but all County parks and natural areas will be open for recreation.

Visitors to the area, especially our National Forests, are asked to always be smart with fire. Even though there are currently no fire restrictions in effect, exercise caution with campfires. Keep them as small as practical. Avoid fires during high winds. And never leave them unattended. Stir a campfire with dirt and water until it’s dead out and douse all charcoal barbecues. If there’s still smoke, there’s still heat.

Notice of Public Hearing Regarding Board Proposal to Incur Long-Term Debt

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FLAGSTAFF — In June, The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) will be considering a long-term debt proposal in Coconino County.

The long-term debt will be used to finance the costs of road, transportation, and public safety projects in and for the County, acquisition of equipment, land and buildings, and construction, maintenance and improvements to County facilities, properties, and infrastructure.

The total estimated financing cost will be $89.9 million consisting of an estimated principal amount of $80 million and total estimated interest of $9.9 million.

The public hearing is scheduled to take place during the Board of Supervisors regular meeting on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 3:00 p.m., Arizona time. The Supervisors will hear this item as part of a public hearing during the regularly scheduled meeting via webinar technology using Zoom Teleconference.

The Board will receive oral comments at the hearing and will receive written comments at any time before 8:00 a.m., Arizona time, on the day which the resolution of intention with respect to the Agreement will be considered, which will be no earlier than June 21, 2023.

The Board’s mailing address is:
Coconino County Board of Supervisors
c/o Lindsay Daley, Clerk of the Board
219 E. Cherry Ave.
Flagstaff, Ariz. 86001

Written comments may also be submitted to the Clerk of the Board at boardcomments@coconino.az.gov. Residents must include their full name for their written comments to be considered.

The full text of the Public Notice follows below:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSAL OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF COCONINO COUNTY, ARIZONA, TO INCUR A LONG-TERM
OBLIGATION NOT SECURED BY THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF SUCH COUNTY

 

For purposes of Section 11-391, Arizona Revised Statutes, the Board of Supervisors (the “Board”) of Coconino County, Arizona (the “County”), will hold a public hearing on June 6, 2023, at 3:00 p.m., Arizona time, via webinar technology using Zoom (Zoom information below), regarding a purchase agreement (the “Agreement”) to be secured by a pledge of the revenues from excise taxes that the County now or hereafter levies, except for any taxes hereafter levied for an inconsistent purpose; excise taxes and transaction privilege (sales) taxes imposed and collected by the State of Arizona (the “State”), or any agency thereof, and returned, allocated or apportioned to the County, except the County’s share of any such taxes which by State law, rule or regulation must be expended for other purposes; vehicle license taxes distributed or deposited to the County’s general fund; and amounts remitted to the County by the U.S. Department of Interior (or any successor entity) pursuant to the federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, to finance the costs of road, transportation and public safety projects in and for the County, acquisition of equipment, land and buildings, and construction, maintenance and improvements to County facilities, properties and infrastructure.  (More detail about the foregoing will be provided in analysis provided to the Board at the hereinafter described hearing.)  The Agreement is estimated to be in the principal amount of $80,000,000 and, with total estimated interest of $9,941,153, to have a total estimated financing cost of $89,941,153.

The Board will receive oral comments at the hearing and will receive written comments at any time before 8:00 a.m., Arizona time, on the day on which the resolution of intention with respect to the Agreement will be considered, which will be no earlier than June 21, 2023.  The Board’s mailing address is Coconino County Board of Supervisors, c/o Lindsay Daley, Clerk of the Board, 219 E. Cherry Ave., Flagstaff, Arizona 86001.  Written comments may also be submitted to the Clerk of the Board at boardcomments@coconino.az.gov.  Please include your full name with the written comment.

To join the Zoom meeting, please use the following url: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83163671115

Or Telephone: Dial 888 788 0099 (Toll Free), Webinar ID: 831 6367 1115.

Additional information regarding meetings of the Board can be found at the following url: https://www.coconino.az.gov/AgendaCenter.

Dated: May 21, 2023
Lindsay Daley
Clerk, Board of Supervisors

Editor Recommendation: If you use the ZOOM method, use a computer without a camera, disconnect plug-in cameras, disable or cover any built-in cameras. Disconnect microphones unless you plan to speak. Make sure your anti-virus is up-to-date.

Lightning-caused Sedona-area Miller Fire at 35 acres

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SEDONA — The Miller Fire, located in the Secret Mountain Wilderness of the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District (GPS coordinates: 34°57’21.2″N 111°50’05.6″W), is now at roughly 35 acres.

A closure order has been issued for the area surrounding the fire, including Secret Mountain Loop Trails.

The Miller Fire is moving at a low rate of spread through brush, timber and rocky terrain southwest toward the south side of Secret Canyon and Maroon Mountain.

Current resources include one Hotshot crew, one hand crew, two engines, three helicopters and air attack.

Resources successfully established a control line on the eastern side of the fire in Secret Canyon Tuesday and spent Wednesday holding those lines while working to keep the fire south of Secret Canyon Creek.

Crews plan to continue working to directly suppress the fire at all accessible points and will evaluate inaccessible portions of the fire in order to respond when and if firefighting efforts can safely be carried out.

Rough and rocky terrain and steep cliff faces create challenges for on-the-ground fire suppression efforts. Predicted Friday wind gusts of up to 30 miles per hour may impede aerial operations.

The fire was first reported on May 20, but due to weather conditions, aerial resources were not able to confirm the fire until Monday, May 22.

There are no structures threatened by the fire.

Smoke impacts may be felt to the north and northeast of the fire. Light smoke is expected to settle into the Sedona area overnight.

Fossil Creek Road closure extended until late June

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SEDONA — The closure of Fossil Creek Road, also known as Forest Road (FR) 708, has been extended until June 26 to complete roadwork necessary for safe public access.

Fossil Creek Road has been closed since late February for a resurfacing project.

FR 708 will reopen 8 a.m. June 26, at which point, access to Fossil Creek (permitted), FR 502 and the Childs Dispersed Camping Area will be allowed.

Permits are required to visit Fossil Creek. Permits for June 26-30 and July will be available on recreation.gov beginning June 1.

Following July, the standard process for reserving Fossil Creek permits will resume.

While construction on FR 708 has improved road conditions, motorists should still exercise caution. Watch for oncoming traffic and maintain safe speeds, especially around curves and areas with steep drop-offs.

Coconino National Forest motorists are reminded to always check the status of roads online at coconinonationalforest.us prior to any excursion. Roads may close at any time due to weather, hazards or other unforeseen events.

Recreate safely and responsibly this Memorial Day weekend

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WILLIAMS — Kaibab National Forest managers anticipate a busy Memorial Day weekend and offer forest users the following reminders to help make the visit as safe and enjoyable as possible.

· Monitor the weather with the National Weather Service Flagstaff, find forest information and conditions on the Kaibab NF website or by contacting your local ranger station, and always be prepared for sudden changes.
· When recreating near rivers, creeks, streams, or in canyons, be aware of high ground and escape routes in case of flash flooding.
· Always look up, look down, look all around for potential hazards such as falling branches, trees, or rocks.
· Bring extra water, food, and clothing layers. Let someone know where you’ll be, and when you plan to return.
· Remember that you’re not the only person using the forest; be respectful of other forest users – drivers, pedestrians, equestrians, and bicyclists.
· Drive with caution as some roads still have hazards such as fallen trees, snow and deep mud.
· Vehicles must stay on designated roads. A free Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) is available at our offices and GPS-enabled versions can be downloaded from our website. These show you the roads you’re allowed to travel and indicate the areas where you may pull further off the road for dispersed camping. The MVUM is the only official reference – don’t rely on map apps and don’t expect blockades or signage on every “off-limits” route.
· Along those lines, please don’t use our signs as your practice target, canvas, or home decor.
· Don’t mess with history. Our forest is rich with artifacts that tell the stories of the people who inhabited this land long before us. You might be lucky enough to come across evidence of more recent settlements like old containers and remnants of railroads and homes, or something from the earliest civilizations like rock art, pottery, and sharps. If you do, “oooh’s” and “ahhh’s” are OK; painting, breaking, and taking are not. In fact, it’s all illegal.
· Always be smart with fire. Even though there are currently no fire restrictions in effect, exercise caution with campfires. Keep them as small as practical. Avoid fires during high winds. And never leave them unattended. Stir your campfire with dirt and water until it’s dead out. You’ll know it’s fully extinguished when it’s cold to the touch. If there’s still smoke, there’s still heat.
· Pack it in, pack it out. Responsible recreation includes packing out all your trash and everything you brought with you. Practice the Leave No Trace principals and leave the forest healthy and beautiful.

Bottom line: Plan ahead, make safety your priority, and respect the natural resources and fellow forest visitors.