Tag Archives: Arizona

Rabies incident a reminder to enjoy wildlife from a distance, keep pets vaccinated

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds the public to protect themselves and their pets by keeping a safe distance from wildlife, especially animals that may be behaving abnormally, such as those that appear overly aggressive and/or lacking a fear of humans.

The reminder comes after a recent incident in which a dog infected with the grey fox strain of rabies bit a child in the town of Whiteriver on the Fort Apache Reservation in eastern Arizona.

Healthy Gray Fox — AZGF photo


“The weather is warming up and people are outside,” said Dr. Anne Justice-Allen, AZGFD wildlife veterinarian. “At this time of year, we often see an uptick in the number of wildlife submitted for rabies testing as a result of contact with people or their pets.”

Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system, causing encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. It can be prevented in persons who have come into contact or have been bitten by wild animals through prompt administration of anti-rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin.

Pets such as dogs and cats, as well as livestock such as horses, should be vaccinated regularly against rabies. In addition, dogs should be on leashes when outdoors and a veterinarian consulted if any domestic animals are injured by wildlife. Unvaccinated animals exposed to wildlife with rabies must undergo a four-month quarantine and vaccinated animals need to be quarantined for 45 days.

“In Arizona, the principal rabies hosts are bats, skunks and foxes,” Justice-Allen said. “These animals carry their own distinct strains of the rabies virus. When rabies activity within these animal groups increases, rabies can impact other mammals, such as bobcats, coyotes, javelina, cats, dogs, horses or cows.”

Often, infected animals may appear disoriented or intoxicated, salivate heavily, or appear thirsty.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) offers some precautions to avoid exposure to rabies:

  • Keep people and pets away from wild animals.
    Do not pick up, touch, or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, especially sick or wounded ones.
  • Do not “rescue” young wild animals you believe to be abandoned. In most cases they are not abandoned. Leave wildlife alone.
  • Never leave pet food in your yard because it will attract wild animals.
  • Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies.
  • Keep pets on a leash or in a fenced yard.
  • If you have been bitten or scratched, wash the wound or area well with soap and water, and report it immediately to animal control or health officials.
  • Take precautions when camping, hunting or fishing. Avoid sleeping on the open ground without the protection of a closed tent or camper.
  • Wear impermeable gloves when skinning carcasses.
  • Do not disturb roosting bats.
  • If you find a bat on the ground, don’t touch it. Place a box over the bat to contain it. Try to preserve the bat so it is intact for testing at a laboratory. Report the bat and its location to animal control or health officials.

According to the AZDHS website, approximately 30 people are exposed to rabid animals in Arizona annually. People who are exposed must receive vaccine and anti-rabies serum treatment to prevent infection.

Upcoming traffic restrictions on State Route 89a in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon

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SEDONA — The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising drivers and area residents and businesses to plan for upcoming daytime full closures and lane restrictions on State Route 89A in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon.

DAYTIME FULL CLOSURES

  • Full closures will be from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following days:
    • Tuesday, June 20 through Thursday June 22.
    • Tuesday, June 27 and Wednesday, June 28.
  • North- and southbound SR 89A will be closed to all traffic between the Owenby Way roundabout and the Midgley Bridge picnic area (mileposts 375-376).
    • NORTHBOUND DETOUR:  Sedona area drivers  traveling north to Flagstaff will use State Route 179 to Interstate 17.
    • SOUTHBOUND DETOUR:  Flagstaff area drivers traveling south to Sedona will use I-17 to SR 179.
  • The roadway will reopen each day after work hours.

SINGLE-LANE RESTRICTIONS

  • SR 89A will be intermittently narrowed to one lane only with alternating north- and southbound travel between the Owenby Way roundabout and Oak Creek Vista (mileposts 375-390). The restrictions will be in place from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m from June 5 to 16 and on June 19, 23, 26, 29 and 30.
  • Flaggers and a pilot car will guide traffic through the work zone.
  • Speed limit will be reduced in the work zone.
  • No work will take place on the weekends.
  • The restrictions will be lifted each day after work hours.

The restrictions are needed as work continues on the SR 89A Oak Creek Canyon Improvements project, which includes rockfall mitigation, erosion control and a bridge rehabilitation.

Please visit azdot.gov/SR89A for additional project information or contact Community Relations Project Manager Jason Stephens at (480) 751-7104 or jstephens@azdot.gov.

Miller Fire at roughly 19 acres, resources responding

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SEDONA — The Miller Fire, located in the Secret Mountain Wilderness of the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District (RRRD) (GPS coordinates: 34°57’21.2″N 111°50’05.6″W), is now at roughly 19 acres.

It is creeping and smoldering upslope and to the southwest toward the south side of Secret Canyon and Maroon Mountain at a low rate of spread.

Crews assigned to the fire include one Hotshot crew, two engines and two helicopters.

Resources successfully established a control line on the eastern side of the fire in Secret Canyon Tuesday, helping to stop the fire from spreading any further east.

Crews plan to spend today and the next several days working to hold control lines on the east side of the fire and work to suppress fire growth to the south. Rough and rocky terrain and steep cliff faces create challenges for on-the-ground fire suppression efforts.

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. The cause of the fire is currently undetermined.

There are no structures threatened by the fire and smoke will remain visible.

The RRRD is working to implement trail closures for forest visitor safety, but until formal closure orders are issued, visitors are asked to avoid the fire area, including the Secret Mountain Loop Trails (Secret Canyon #121, David Miller #164, Bear Sign #59 and Dry Creek #52), the HS Canyon Trail #50 and Long Canyon Trail #122.

No state highway closures over Memorial Day weekend

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PHOENIX — Drivers should monitor weather forecasts, check their vehicles and pack an emergency travel kit if heading out on a Memorial Day weekend trip, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The good news for drivers is that ADOT and its contractors are not scheduling any full construction or maintenance closures along state highways from Friday afternoon, May 26, through Monday night, May 29, to limit impacts on holiday weekend travel.

ADOT still recommends an early start and extra time, especially during peak travel periods. Motorists should be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to crashes, disabled vehicles or other incidents such as wildfires.

An emergency prep kit for your vehicle should include extra drinking water and other items including blankets, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, extra batteries, a fully charged cellphone and charger, snacks, diapers if necessary and a small tool kit.

Since travel delays are possible, don’t forget other important items such as prescription medicines. A hat, sunglasses and umbrella – to help with rain or shade – also are good items to remember as the annual summer travel season gets underway.

Be prepared for changing weather conditions, including blowing dust. ADOT’s holiday weekend safe driving recommendations include:

Never drive while impaired. Buckle up and obey speed limits
Arrange for a designated driver or ride service if necessary
Check your vehicle, including tire pressure
Get some rest before traveling. Fatigue is a serious safety risk
Avoid distractions. Don’t text while driving
Don’t park in areas with grasses and brush. Hot vehicle components could start a fire

Drivers should be prepared to slow down and move over if ADOT workers and other first responders are along state highways. In addition to on-call statewide maintenance crews, the ADOT Incident Response Unit (IRU), sponsored by GEICO, patrols Phoenix-area freeways in Maricopa County from 4 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The IRU operators assist state troopers as well as drivers in need of help. More information about ADOT IRU can be found on the ADOT website.

Motorists also should slow down and merge safely when approaching and traveling through existing work zones.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov. ADOT also provides highway condition updates via its Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT.

Prescribed fire operations resume on south zone of Kaibab National Forest, beginning May 24 on Marteen Rx Project

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WILLIAMS — A mixture of moisture and sunny weather have presented excellent conditions for prescribed burning to continue on both the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest. Starting Wednesday this week, treatments will resume on the Marteen Rx project located five miles northwest of Spring Valley and east of Red Hill.

Approximately 3000 acres remain on the Marteen project and fire managers hope to complete these last two blocks in two days. Crews may then move back to the Tusayan Ranger District to continue working on the Blue Stem Rx project located approximate 15 miles southeast of Tusayan.

As the Marteen burn resumes, smoke will be visible from Highway 180, State Route 64 near Howard Mesa, Valle, Red Lakes, and Spring Valley. Smoke is expected to transport northeast throughout the day, and then may settle on scene and to the south of Valle with light impacts to state route 64. This project is expected to be completed by Thursday afternoon.

Spring time weather patterns present beneficial opportunities for prescribed burning that help managers reach land management objectives while minimizing smoke impacts. Early seasonal breezes typically transport smoke away from sensitive areas rapidly which can often be more challenging at other times of the year.

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 or contacting local ranger stations.

Resources monitoring quarter-acre Sedona-area fire

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SEDONA — Resources are monitoring a quarter-acre fire located in the Secret Mountain Wilderness of the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District.

The Miller Fire, which was confirmed at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 22, is smoldering at a low intensity in heavy dead and down fuels, and is located about 4.5 miles west of Slide Rock State Park (GPS coordinates: 34°57’21.2″N 111°50’05.6″W).

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

Due to the lack of accessibility and potential thunderstorms, resources are monitoring the fire and developing strategic plans.

There are no structures threatened by the fire and smoke may be visible.

Additionally, there are no road or trail closures in effect, but visitors are asked to avoid the fire area.

Deadline to apply for 2023 fall hunts is June 6

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There’s not a better time than right now to apply for 2023 hunt permit-tags issued through the fall draw process for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, bison, and sandhill crane.

To apply, visit www.azgfd.gov and click on “Apply for Big Game Draw.” For an overview of the application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 26 of the “2023-2024 Arizona Hunting Regulations” booklet. The booklet can be viewed at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Regulations/.

The deadline for the department to receive all applications is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

As a reminder, applicants must possess a valid Arizona hunting license (or combination hunt and fish license) to apply online for a hunt permit-tag. That license must be valid on the last day of the online application period (June 6). Licenses are available online and at license dealers statewide. When purchasing an Arizona hunting (or combination hunt and fish) license online, the license number will appear at the bottom of the customer’s receipt. Don’t throw it away! That license number will be required as part of the draw application process.

In the meantime:

  • Know your Customer ID. This is a must to submit an application. There are four ways to locate a Customer ID: 1) Log into your AZGFD portal account, and click on “View Details” under “My AZGFD Dashboard; 2) Check your hunting license, or combination hunt and fish license, if it was purchased online; 3) A Customer ID number can be retrieved by visiting customerlookup.azgfd.com/. If the account is located, AZGFD will send the Customer ID number to that email address; 4) Call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Download “Arizona E-Tag.” Download this mobile app from either the Apple or Google Play stores, and opt in to receive an electronic permit-tag in your AZGFD portal account (this is not an option selected through the draw). Be sure to update to the most recent version of the app, which is compatible with both Apple and android products. The Arizona E-Tag app provides real-time delivery of licenses and big game tags purchased or drawn after the app has been downloaded. The app also provides the ability to electronically tag a harvested animal and complete the hunter questionnaire. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/etag.
  • Open an AZGFD portal account. Just visit accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register and fill in the required information. AZGFD encourages all customers to have an AZGFD portal account; that’s the only place where draw results will be posted. Family account features are available with a portal account, so everyone — including youth — can view their draw results online as soon as they are available.
  • Check your AZGFD portal account. Click on “Account Login” at the bottom of the homepage to review personal data, including application history and total bonus points (bonus, loyalty, hunter education). If something seems amiss, call AZGFD at 602-942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Plan to purchase a PointGuard product. Choosing PointGuard Plus, or the standard PointGuard, ensures that applicants can surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason, and the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated. A portal account is no longer required to purchase a PointGuard product.
  • Sign up to receive a hunter questionnaire via text message. As part of the application process, a customer can now enter his or her phone number (ghost number format) to receive a hunter questionnaire via text message on their mobile device.

For more information, check out “What You Need to Know,” a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

Coconino County Provides Successful Test Platform for SpaceX Starlink Mobile Units

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County continues to lead the effort in connecting students with SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet across Northern Arizona, including multiple tribal communities within the region, and now on school buses.

With continued focus on education, Coconino County collaborated with Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) and Page Unified School District (PUSD) to identify and select routes with an emphasis on connecting students who must ride the bus more than one hour to and from school. SpaceX provided Coconino County with two of their Flat High Performance Starlink kits that are installed on the buses, enabling students to stay connected and complete homework during their transit.

“The opportunity to deploy new technology to connect underserved rural communities is a tremendous achievement,” commented Supervisor Fowler. “The collaboration between SpaceX and Coconino County illustrates what can be achieved when the right people come together at the right time. We are incredibly thankful to our partners for the opportunities they have enabled by delivering enhanced connectivity throughout our most underserved communities.”

Coconino County began conversations with SpaceX when District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler and Coconino County’s Chief Information Officer Matt Fowler both met with the company in 2019. This resulted in securing a private donation for the County to utilize Starlink and make high-speed internet accessible to rural areas of Northern Arizona. Coconino County successfully became an early customer, purchasing and launching Starlink internet in a 45-household trial on May 6, 2021. Shortly after, the County identified K-12 students living on the Navajo Nation without access to the internet or existing speeds less than 5 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. The County Information Technology Department engaged with the Board of Supervisors and the Flagstaff Unified School District, seeking collaboration opportunities to identify eligible students living on the reservation.

To date, Coconino County facilitated approximately 300+ implementations of Starlink internet services for a free 2-year period, which was made possible by private donations. This provides students the ability to connect with education providers and continue their studies remotely.

“This journey would not have been possible without the continuous teamwork from SpaceX, County Management, our Board of Supervisors, FUSD and PUSD. We rely heavily on our public and private partners to offer internet where it historically has been unavailable. This is truly an exciting moment,” commented CIO Matt Fowler. “We have amazing community partners, and this opportunity to embrace new technologies has greatly benefitted students in our region,” commented Deputy CIO Helen Costello.

I found a quilted heart

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WILLIAMS — I Found a Quilted Heart, or IFAQH, is a program of volunteers that makes and sets quilted hearts around the country. They have been found in Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott, Yuma and, now, in Williams. One of these quilted hearts was found on the gate of the patio of Anna’s Restaurant on Railroad Avenue in Williams.

The mission of IFAQH is to, “Simply leave hearts in a public place for a random stranger to find to brighten their day…” If you find a heart, they say, it is meant for you to keep. The only string attached–aside from the one used to hang the heart–is they request that you go to their web site and tell them about finding the heart. The group is made of anonyomous volunteers who make and distribute the hearts. The group, in fact, explicitely asks that no one use their logo or information for any profit, including classes on sewing, heart kits and the like.

According to their web site, the program was sparked when they found a quilted heart at the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada on Jaunuary 29, 2014. The heart had a simple tag that read, “I need a home.”

Quoting their web site, “Once we were home, we searched abandoned art projects, the web, geocaching coordinates, and anything we could think of to find out what this heart was and what it meant. After weeks of searching, we decided that this little heart brought us so much joy, that we should do the same for others.”

Williams does a good paint job

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WILLIAMS — For the past few days, Williams has been sprucing up the street lines around town. Northern Arizona Gazette commends the street department for their quick, professional job. Not only did they actually get the paint over the previous lines ( a problem in the past), they are doing it in a quick fashion that was of little annoyance to downtown businesses and residents.

It is unknown how much more they have to do, but please help them by not driving over the freshly painted white lines.