Tag Archives: Flagstaff

Prescribe burn north of Mormon Lake this morning

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FLAGSTAFF — Fire managers are planning to conduct a prescribed burn on the Flagstaff Ranger District just north of Mormon Lake starting this morning. The Upper Lake Mary 3 project is slated for 919 acres, to be completed in one day.

The area is approximately 15 miles southeast of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.014971, -111.463811

This is an initial-entry burn conducted by drip torch and helicopter. This burn’s specific objectives are to protect Pine Grove Campground and Lake Mary Road corridor from any southwesterly fire threats and to help lessen any potential wildland fires that may start near Pinegrove Campground. Since this is an initial-entry burn, smoke will be thicker and more noticeable than a maintenance burn due to the amount of forest fuels in the burn area.

Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the southwest, which may impact Lake Mary Road in the area, Interstate 17, Mormon Lake Village, and Munds Park. No area closures are expected.

For more information on how prescribed burns are planned and why they are used in this ecosystem, please see “Planning for and Implementing Prescribed Fire in Fire-Dependent Forests.”

Arizona Game and Fish meeting in Flagstaff October 19 highlights hunt recommendation process

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FLAGSTAFF — Those wishing to discuss all things game management, including hunt recommendations, are invited to join Arizona Game and Fish Department staff at Bull Basin Archery of Flagstaff on Saturday, October 19.

“This meeting is a great opportunity to hear from our constituents about all topics related to our game management practices and how they pertain to upcoming elk, pronghorn and wild turkey hunting recommendations,” AZGFD Flagstaff Regional Supervisor Scott Poppenberger said. “We work hard to conserve and protect more than 800 species and part of that responsibility includes a science-based hunt recommendation process designed to ensure sustainable populations of wildlife are around for future generations.”

The event is open to the public and runs from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 19.
Input and recommendations are later presented to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, which has final approval for all hunting regulation changes.

To learn more about how AZGFD works to conserve and protect the state’s wildlife or information about upcoming Arizona Game and Fish Commission meetings, visit www.azgfd.gov. To provide a contribution to support the department’s on-the-ground conservation efforts, visit www.azwildlifehero.com.

AZGF National Bison Day viewing November 2

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FLAGSTAFF — Bison are synonymous with the great west, but not many people realize that Arizona is home to these magnificent animals.

To increase awareness and provide information about this great animal, the Arizona Game and Fish Department will host a bison viewing workshop near Flagstaff on National Bison Day, Saturday, November 2. The workshop will take place at the Arizona Game and Fish Commission-owned Raymond Wildlife Area (RWA) 30 miles east of Flagstaff. Sessions will begin at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and are limited to 20 people each. Both include a presentation, field trip and a light lunch.

Register for the 9 a.m. session
Register for the 10:30 a.m. session

Each session costs $40 and the deadline to register is November 1. Participants will receive the same information, presentation, field trip, with lunch including bison burgers or brats and sides.

The viewing workshop is recommended for those 12 years or older.

All fees support the Department’s Watchable Wildlife Program, which was created to increase public awareness of wildlife through positive and personal wildlife viewing experiences.

Raymond Wildlife Area is approximately 30 miles east of Flagstaff on I-40. To reach Raymond Wildlife Area, take I-40 east from Flagstaff and take exit 225. Turn right after exiting the freeway. Go 10 miles south on Buffalo Range Road to the visitor’s center. Visitors should be aware the last 10 miles is along a relatively unmaintained dirt road but accessible for passenger vehicles.

Raymond Wildlife Area was purchased by the department in 1942 from Flagstaff physician R.O. Raymond to serve as winter range for the Anderson Mesa pronghorn antelope herd. Due to drought conditions in 1945, the area became home for bison that were moved from the House Rock Valley herd.

Some scopes will be available, but it is recommended that participants bring binoculars, water, snacks, and dress appropriately for the weather and field trip. More details on the field trip will be provided during the presentations.

Flagstaff drivers should plan for overnight closure of McConnell Drive under Interstate 17 Sunday

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises Flagstaff drivers who use McConnell Drive to plan for a full overnight road closure while crews continue work to replace the McConnell Bridge on Interstate 17 and State Route 89A approaching Flagstaff.

McConnell Drive under I-17 will be closed in both directions from 8 p.m. Sunday, October 20, to 6 a.m. Monday, October 21.

Motorists should follow signed detour routes and plan for travel delays.

The project involves a full bridge deck replacement, bridge widening and sidewalk construction on the north side of McConnell Drive. Work is scheduled in three phases over two years with completion scheduled for fall 2020.

Outfitters, guides invited to apply for commercial services on Flagstaff Ranger District

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FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is soliciting proposals from prospective outfitter and guide companies interested in providing commercial services to the public from October to December 6.

Opportunities to provide commercial services include mountain biking, day hiking, trail running, rock climbing and more. The various services are limited and are only available in the Mount Elden and Dry Lakes Area as described in the prospectus.

Proposals for additional use on existing special-use permits, as well as a limited number of new permits, will be considered. A Forest Service panel will select applicants through a competitive process based on written applications.

Applicants are advised to read the prospectus and appendices carefully. All items listed under Application Package Requirements must be complete and included for submission.

Applications submitted in response to this prospectus are subject to Cost Recovery pursuant to 36 CFR 251.58(c)(3)(iii) and will be collected through an application fee.

Applications must be received by close of business (4:30 p.m.) Dec. 6. The final decision on issuance of a special use permit will be contingent on compliance with any needed environmental analysis as determined by the National Environmental Policy Act.

The prospectus and supporting documents are available on the Coconino National Forest website. Paper copies will be made available upon request.

For questions related to this potential business opportunity, please contact Kevin Lehto at kevin.lehto@usda.gov or 928-527-8287.

Museum Fire closure area to be reduced today

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest is reducing the size of the area closure for the Museum Fire on today to allow for increased access and recreation on parts of Mt. Elden.

The Burned Area Emergency Response team has completed treatments to the land, including mulching with a helicopter in effort to stabilize the watershed and encourage recovery. Now that this important work is complete, the public will be allowed in additional areas of the burned area.

Although additional areas are open, the public is urged to use caution, as hazards still exist such as ash pits, rolling rocks, weakened trees, falling trees and possible floodwaters.

Some areas will remain closed that pose a continued and increased risk to visitors. These areas will be re-evaluated after the winter season to see what risks can be mitigated before opening to the public.

Portions of Forest Road 789 and FR 6353 marking the restricted-area boundary are OPEN to non-motorized use only. Elden Lookout Road (FR 557) is closed to all traffic where it intersects with the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Please see the official closure order and map for details.

The following trails will be OPEN:

  • Arizona National Scenic Trail (ANST)
  • Heart Trail
  • Little Bear Trail
  • Little Gnarly
  • Lower Oldham Trail from Buffalo Park to the ANST junction
  • Rocky Ridge Trail from ANST to Schultz Creek Trail
  • Schultz Loop Trail
  • Sunset Trail from the intersection of Schultz Tank to Little Bear Trail

The following trails will remain CLOSED:

  • Brookbank Trail (entire trail)
  • Lower Oldham, from ANST to Brookbank Trail
  • Rocky Ridge Trail, from ANST to Brookbank Trail
  • Sunset Trail, from Little Bear Trail to Elden Lookout Trail
  • Upper Oldham Trail (entire trail)

For more information about the Mt. Elden area, please call the Flagstaff Ranger District at 928-526-0866.

Prescribed burns planned this week

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino National Forest firefighters have planned and prepared to conduct several prescribed burns at locations across the Flagstaff Ranger District and Mogollon Rim Ranger District starting tomorrow, with some operations possibly being conducted simultaneously through early next week.

As always, each prescribed fire operation will be conducted when it has the most favorable conditions and are within its specific prescription. As such, these burns might not occur on the days listed below. Firing ignitions begin at approximately 9 a.m. each morning.

MOGOLLON RIM RANGER DISTRICT

1. Cragin Watershed Protection Project

  • When: Wednesday through Friday (Oct. 2 to 4).
  • Where: Approximately 4 miles south of the Mogollon Rim Ranger Station. GPS: 34.565258°, -111.169051°.
  • Size: 2,176 acres.
  • Duration: Several-day operation using helicopter-assisted aerial ignition.
  • Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast impacting state Route 87 and the Blue Ridge Communities possibly into the weekend. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn. This prescribed burn will be visible to motorists on SR87 and Lake Mary Road. Motorists who see smoke along on the roadway should slow down and be cautious.
  • Closures/Restrictions: Forest Road 95 will be closed between the junction of FR 751B south to the FR 139 junction for public safety.

FLAGSTAFF RANGER DISTRICT

1. Experimental Forest

  • When: Oct. 8 (Tuesday).
  • Where: Six miles northwest of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.272710°, -111.691766°
  • Size: 707 acres.
  • Duration: This is a one-day operation.
  • Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast and may impact U.S. Highway 89 north of Flagstaff. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas of Flagstaff and Fort Valley.
  • Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

2. Kachina

  • When: Oct. 9 & 10 (Wednesday and Thursday).
  • Where: Nine miles south of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.072046°, -111.711435°
  • Size: 844 acres.
  • Duration: Two-day operation.
  • Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, such as Kelly Canyon or possibly Oak Creek Canyon.
  • Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

These burns are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions and improve the safety of the communities around them. Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.

Prescribed burns are always dependent upon weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The public can view approved prescribed burns on ADEQ’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov. Coconino National Forest burns begin with the Burn Number designation “COF.”

For more information about prescribed burns and the benefits of these fires across the landscape, please visit our Prescribed Burns and Smoke webpage. As well, if you are interested in how prescribed burns are planned and implemented, please see the document “Planning for and Implementing Prescribed Fire in Fire-Dependent Forests,” by Ecological Restoration Institute.

Flu Shots available at County Health and Human Services

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FLAGSTAFF – The seasonal influenza vaccine is available at the Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Clinic in Flagstaff.

Flu shots are available beginning Monday, Sept. 23 at the CCHHS Clinic, 2625 N. King Street, Flagstaff. Appointments are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted as availability permits. Call the CCHHS Clinic at 928-679-7222 to make an appointment.

The cost for a flu vaccination at the CCHHS Clinic is $30. High-dose flu vaccinations are $50. As a courtesy, the CCHHS will bill people’s insurance company, but those seeking a flu shot should check with their insurance provider to determine whether they are covered and are also asked to bring their insurance card. No one will be denied services due to an inability to pay.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first step in protecting against flu viruses. It is strongly recommended that everyone 6-months old and over get a flu shot each year.

Every year a new vaccine is manufactured to combat circulating influenza viruses during each flu season. While it is too early to determine the effectiveness of this season’s vaccine, immunization reduces the chance of influenza-related complications, such as hospitalization, chronic disease and/or death. The immune system will be better prepared to combat the flu the earlier people get their shot.

The following groups of people are encouraged to get a flu vaccination because they are at high – risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications, including:

  • Pregnant women
  • Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
  • Children with special healthcare needs
  • People 50 years of age and older
  • People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
  • People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
  • People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu.
  • Health care workers
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Flu symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches and fatigue. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. In the most severe cases, flu can lead to death.

Inmate dies while incarcerated in the Coconino County Detention Facility

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FLAGSTAFF – On Sunday, September 15, 2019 at approximately 7:16 am, Coconino County Medical Staff were conducting a medical assessment on 63-year old Floyd Jackson when Mr. Jackson became unresponsive in his cell. Detention Medical Staff and Officers began lifesaving measures, including CPR, until paramedics arrived on scene and took over lifesaving efforts. Mr. Jackson was pronounced deceased at approximately 7:46 am.

The cause of death is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and pending autopsy and review by the Coconino County Medical Examiner. Mr. Jackson was transported from the Maricopa County Jail to the Coconino County Detention Facility on September 12, 2019 and was housed in a cell by himself. Mr. Jackson was in-custody on a $200 bond for an outstanding Failure to Comply Warrant for Driving on a Suspended License out of the Flagstaff Justice Court.

Mr. Jackson’s next of kin has been notified. Further information will be made available as the investigation allows.

Forest Service announces cause of Museum Fire

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FLAGSTAFF – The Forest Service is announcing the preliminary results of the investigation regarding the cause of the Museum Fire, a wildfire which began July 21 and burned 1,961 acres on the Coconino National Forest above Flagstaff.

Fire investigators have determined that the human-caused wildfire originated in a steep slope environment associated with critical restoration work and was likely caused by an excavator striking a rock during operations. The resulting spark created a heat source that hibernated until warm, dry, and windy conditions arrived that caused the heat source to grow into a small fire and was subsequently spread by the wind. Rock strikes are possible during operations in steep slope thinning restoration projects such as the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project.

At this time, the investigation has shown that the cause of the fire was not related to negligence and that all proper inspections of equipment were conducted. The investigation also determined that the last piece of equipment was used 14 hours prior to the first report of fire, and the operator had completed a one-hour fire watch before leaving the area.

“It’s unfortunate that the Museum Fire started as the result of ongoing restoration work designed to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire and improve forest health and resiliency—especially in the Flagstaff area where citizens joined together to invest resources to help fund the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project,” said Coconino National Forest Supervisor Laura Jo West. “Fortunately, some of the restoration work that had been completed previously in and around the wildfire area actually helped stop the fire from becoming larger and more destructive.”

Post-fire analysis show that 50 percent of the wildfire burned at low severity, 38 percent burned at moderate severity, and 12 percent of the area burned at high severity. During the past several years, city and Coconino National Forest personnel have worked diligently to implement planned Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project actions and have made substantial progress.

“While the cause of the fire is unfortunate, it does not take away from the significant mitigating impact the treatment work had on the fire and subsequently the forest and our watershed,” said Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans. “The restoration work initiated by the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project, in partnership with the Forest Service, is incredibly valuable and we remain committed to continuing this work and further protecting our watershed.”

Deep layers of forest fuels and roots can hold heat for long periods of time, burning and smoldering underground for days, weeks, or months without any sign of a fire. They can surface at a later time when temperatures become warmer and the weather becomes windier, causing a wildfire. As with all investigations, the Forest Service will continue to investigate and provide updates if new information is uncovered.