Category Archives: News

AZDPS uses police grappler bumper to stop street racing suspects

Posted on by

MESA — On Saturday, June 10, 2023, Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) troopers and fellow Street Racing Task Force partners responded to reports of vehicles involved in intersection takeovers throughout the Valley.During an incident at an intersection in Mesa, one of the involved drivers struck a pedestrian participant and then fled the scene. With assistance from task force partners – including the City of Mesa Police Department, Phoenix Police Department and Tempe Police Department – the suspect vehicle was located and an AZDPS sergeant successfully deployed the Grappler Police Bumper, netting one of the vehicle’s rear tires and bringing it to a safe stop.

The driver and passenger, both 17-year-old males, were detained and cited for street racing and the vehicle was impounded.

Street racing and intersection takeovers not only pose a significant disruption for other motorists, but they also endanger the lives of participants, pedestrians, and everyone on the road. Anyone caught engaging in street racing may face penalties including a 20-day vehicle impound, fines, community restitution, and the possibility of jail time for second and subsequent offenses.

AZDPS would like to thank our partner agencies for their continued efforts and support, which are critical in deterring and stopping this criminal activity.

AZGFD to step up patrols for impaired boaters over holiday weekend

Posted on by

To keep the public safe from watercraft-related accidents this upcoming Fourth of July weekend, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and partner agencies will increase patrols on Arizona’s waterways from July 1-3 during Operation Dry Water.

This nationwide campaign focuses on decreasing the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents and fatalities and educating recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence.

Law enforcement officers will remove dangerous and impaired operators from Arizona’s waterways during the holiday weekend. Officers may also give warnings or issue citations, including but not limited to safety equipment and life jacket violations.

“Boating or driving a car under the influence of alcohol or drugs are equally dangerous,” said Danny Rodriguez, AZGFD’s watercraft law administrator. “Our top priority is to create a safe environment for everyone enjoying Arizona’s waterways.”

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Fourth of July and Memorial Day holiday weekends account for more than one-third of all boating-related accidents and fatalities in the nation. One person died and six others were injured in watercraft-related accidents during the Fourth of July weekend last year in Arizona.

Now accepting entries for the Arizona Wildlife Photo Contest

Posted on by

Do you want to see your photo on the cover of Arizona Wildlife Views’ annual calendar? Do you have a knack for capturing great photos of wildlife? Then you won’t want to miss the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 17th annual wildlife photo contest.

One best in show and 11 first-place winners will be showcased in the 2024 calendar, which is published in the November-December 2023 issue of Arizona Wildlife Views. The best-in-show photo is published on the calendar’s cover and as one of the photos representing a month.

We’re partnering with Arizona Highways to provide an easier way to submit photographs. Use the online form to submit your Arizona wildlife photos. Each contestant may submit a maximum of three photographs, which must be uploaded as separate submissions through the form.

This contest is for images of Arizona wildlife. All photos must depict wildlife native to and found in Arizona, and all photos must have been taken in Arizona settings. Please review the Official Rules prior to entering. Entrants are responsible for complying with the Official Rules or may result in disqualification.

The deadline is 5 p.m. (Arizona time) Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

Winners will be announced online at www.azgfd.gov/photocontest and www.arizonahighways.com after Nov. 1, 2023.

Fire restrictions to begin Thursday, June 29 in northern Arizona

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions will be in effect Thursday, June 29 at 8 a.m. across the entirety of the Coconino National Forest and the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

The City of Flagstaff and Coconino County plan on implementing fire restrictions this week as well.

Under Forest Service Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or a developed recreation site. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest and state lands.

Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized 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 three feet of the device.

Recreational shooting on the Coconino NF and Kaibab NF is allowed as long as it follows the target shooting regulations.

Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Decisions about fire restrictions are based on a combination of carefully measured factors. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought, and available firefighting resources.

Additional restrictions could be forthcoming if conditions warrant. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area receives significant, widespread precipitation.

Violations could result in mandatory appearance in a federal court, fines, or jail time.

The public is reminded to always be extra cautious when recreating on public lands, regardless of restrictions. Even when forest-wide restrictions aren’t in place, there are places on the Coconino National Forest that have fire restrictions year-round, such as the Flagstaff area, Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon and West Sedona areas, as well as Pumphouse Wash.

Kaibab NF makes progress on wildfires managed for forest health

Posted on by

WILLIAMS – Kaibab National Forest has been taking advantage of unseasonably cool and wet conditions to manage lightning-caused fires to remove hazardous fuels, promote healthy vegetation and improve forest health. These environmental conditions persisted beyond the typical spring prescribed fire season.

The Kaibab National Forest is a fire-adapted ecosystem, with native species, such as the Ponderosa pine, dependent upon frequent, lower-intensity fire to thrive. The thick bark of Ponderosa pines protects trees from all but the most intense fires, and fire on the forest floor provides a nutrient-rich seedbed for the next generation of vegetation to succeed. Fire also plays a crucial role in breaking down forest floor debris, such as fallen leaves, needles, branches, and trees, a process which normally occurs rapidly in more moisture-laden environments but can take decades in the arid Southwest. By using both prescribed fires and naturally occurring fires when conditions safely allow at regular intervals, future fires on the Kaibab will be less intense and produce less smoke, benefiting the ecosystem and those around it.

Weather will continue to play a vital role in managing these fires, with tactical firing operations planned only when conditions exist to safely do so. Over the past several days, despite the higher winds and lower humidity, all three fires have remained within their respected designated areas. This is due to the strategic decisions fire managers have made over the past couple weeks using the terrain, previously treated adjacent landscapes, weather forecasts, and tactical firing operations to ensure the fires continues to burn at the more natural intensity and rate of spread. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning for Monday and a Fire Weather Watch on Tuesday due to strong winds and low relative humidity. Crews will monitor and patrol the fire perimeters watching for spot fires.

The Hull Fire, located near Lower Hull Tank along the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park boundary just northeast of the Grand View Lookout and east of Grandview Point, is 1,491 acres spreading at a low-to-moderate pace in ponderosa pine forest within the planning area. All tactical firing operations are complete. This fire is being co-managed with Grand Canyon National Park. Twenty-five personnel are currently assigned to this fire.

The Ridge Fire, located approximately 7 miles southeast of Tusayan along forest road 302 near Skinner Tank, is 2,300 acres slowly moving south/southwest in ponderosa pine forest south/southwest of Skinner Ridge. Tactical firing operations have been occurring along the eastern edge of the planning area, building a buffer of pre-burned ground ahead of the fire and directing the fire slowly to the south/southwest. Seventy-seven personnel are assigned to this fire.

The Three Lakes Fire is approximately 481 acres and growing at a low-to-moderate rate of spread through the mixed ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen forest and grassy meadows. Green grasses have held fire activity to a slow spread, consuming pine needle duff and dead-and-down woody debris and stumps on the forest floor. Crews were able to use tactical firing operations to strengthen approximately 2 miles of the planned area perimeter yesterday. Pilot cars may be used along State Route 67 should smoke impacts warrant for safety. Seventy-seven personnel are assigned to this fire.

Managing naturally caused wildfires across the landscape is a very effective tool in restoring the forest to a healthier condition, and these efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape as well as other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

Additional information can be found on the on InciWeb, Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the Fire Information Hotline at 928-635-8311 or local ranger stations.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to Begin Thursday in Coconino County

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — With the potential for continued warm, dry, and windy conditions throughout Northern Arizona in the coming days, both the Coconino National Forest and the Kaibab National Forest – Williams Ranger District will begin Stage 1 Fire Restrictions this Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) and County Manager’s Office have directed Emergency Management (CCEM) to do likewise in all unincorporated areas of the County.

Under the County’s Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or a developed recreation site. The use of tracer rounds of ammunition or explosive targets is also strictly prohibited. Fireworks are always prohibited on all National Forest and State lands.

Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized 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 three feet of the device.

Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Decisions about fire restrictions are based on a combination of carefully measured factors. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought, and available firefighting resources.

Additional restrictions could be forthcoming if conditions warrant. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the region receives significant, widespread precipitation.

The public is reminded to always be extra cautious when recreating on public lands, regardless of restrictions. Violations could result in mandatory appearance in a federal court, fines, or jail time.

For information on Coconino County’s Stage 1, 2, and 3 fire restrictions please visit: https://coconino.az.gov/2595/Fire-Restriction-Information.

Information about all Arizona state and federal fire restrictions, including an interactive map, can be found at wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions. Additional information about the stages of fire restrictions, Forest Orders, and general forest conditions are available for the Kaibab National Forest at fs.usda.gov/kaibab and the Coconino National Forest at fs.usda.gov/coconino.

2020 Homicide Victim Identified

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF – In October of 2020 a deceased individual was discovered in a shallow grave north of Flagstaff, off Highway 180 near the Lava Caves. The body was unidentifiable due to advanced stages of decomposition. The ensuing by Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigators and the Coconino County
Medical Examiner’s Office determined the person was a victim of homicide.

During the on-going investigation, a DNA sample was sent to a private forensic genealogy lab in May of 2021. In January 2023 analysis of the DNA sample connected the victim to a specific family tree, one member of which could not be located or accounted for. This family member was identified as David Clark Wilkinson and was known to frequent the Phoenix and Prescott areas in 2019 and 2020.

David was known to have been in northern Arizona prior to the body being located, and a missing persons flyer was issued in an attempt to find him. Shortly after releasing the missing persons flyer, additional DNA analysis was conducted and confirmed David Clark Wilkinson was the homicide victim in this case.

The investigation is ongoing, and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in this investigation.

In 2020, Wilkinson was a 56-year-old white male, approximately 5’11” and weighing 165lbs. He had graying hair, a graying beard and wore glasses. During the summer of 2020 Wilkinson may have been traveling with one or two dogs and was likely operating a white 1997 Toyota Paseo similar to the one pictured below.

It is believed he was camping in the Prescott National Forest and the Coconino National Forest and may have approached other campers in those areas.

Anyone who has information about this investigation or had contact with David Clark Wilkinson in the spring or summer of 2020 is asked to contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

Wilbur Fire remains at 10,279 acres

Posted on by

CLINTS WELL — The Coconino National Forest resumed command of the lightning-caused 10,279-acre Wilbur Fire Thursday morning, June 22, which originated 8.5 miles west of Clints Well on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.

The Wilbur Fire is being managed with multiple strategies to meet objectives including the release of nutrients back into the soil and the reduction of hazardous fuel accumulations.

Objectives also include protecting critical infrastructure, watersheds, wildlife habitat and culturally sensitive areas from future catastrophic wildfires. Managing low-intensity wildfires such as this reduces the threat of catastrophic fire by reducing the accumulation of dead wood, pinecones, and pine needles, that would otherwise contribute to hotter and bigger fire behavior. This is part of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy recently announced by the Chief of the Forest Service.

All strategic firing operations have been successfully completed, and firefighters are utilizing previously improved holding features and roads to confine the wildfire to a predetermined area. Crews continue to patrol and monitor fire activity and work toward full containment, with current containment at 78 percent.

Suppression repair projects are underway, including mending fences and removing snags (dead standing trees) from high-use dispersed recreation areas and along roads. Smoke is visible at times as interior pockets of unburned forest fuels consume.

Night operations conclude Sunday night and early Monday morning with firefighters and the Arizona Department of Transportation remaining to monitor the fire perimeter and smoke conditions along highways and provide for public safety.

The Coconino National Forest has issued an area closure to protect public health and ensure firefighter safety. The full closure order and map are available online.

In the interest of public and firefighter safety, drivers are asked to travel with caution as fire crews will be entering and exiting roadways during operations.

As temperatures cool overnight smoke may linger in drainages and valleys until daytime winds surface.

Regular fire updates can be found on the Wilbur Fire Inciweb page until it is fully contained.

Fire weather watch issued for Tuesday

Posted on by

FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHERN ARIZONA
Fire Weather Watch issued June 25 at 1:12PM MST until June 27 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Fire Weather Watch due to strong winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA…Locations near Alpine, Camp Verde, Chino Valley, Congress, Cottonwood, Paulden, Payson, Strawberry, Pinetop-Lakeside, Prescott, Sedona, Seligman, Show Low and Whiteriver. This includes portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Coconino National Forest, Kaibab National Forest, Prescott National Forest and Tonto National Forest.

* WINDS…Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 7 percent.

* IMPACTS…The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them.
Click HERE to sign up for Coconino County Emergency Notifications and alerts.

Necropsy conducted on bear that killed man near Prescott

Posted on by

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s (AZGFD) wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Anne Justice-Allen, conducted a necropsy on the carcass of the adult male black bear responsible for the June 16 killing of Steven Jackson at his property in the Groom Creek area near Prescott, Ariz.

Dr. Justice-Allen’s summary indicated the bear was a 7- to 10-year-old adult male weighing 365 pounds. It was in good condition with no apparent signs of disease.

An examination of the stomach found human remains consistent with the injuries found in the victim. Additionally, native vegetation and seeds were found inside the bear. The amount of body fat on the bear indicated it was in good nutritional condition.

The bear’s brain stem was tested for rabies at the Arizona Department of Health Services state laboratory and the results were negative. Arizona has recorded only one case of a bear having tested positive for rabies, in 1971.

Cause of death of the bear was determined to be from multiple gunshot wounds from a neighbor who was trying to stop the attack.

AZGFD officials believe this bear acted in what appeared to be an unprovoked predatory attack by the animal. Bears are predators, and when acting aggressively toward humans can attack, injure and kill.