Tag Archives: Flagstaff

Areas of Coconino and Kaibab national forests to close this weekend

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino and Kaibab national forests will temporarily close certain areas to public access beginning Friday and Saturday due to fire danger and for public safety, while all other parts of the national forests outside of the closure areas remain in Stage 2 fire restrictions.

On the Kaibab National Forest, the area of Bill Williams Mountain will be closed beginning Friday, June 17 at 8 a.m. Specifically, public access will be prohibited on all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the closure area, generally located between County Road (CR) 73, Old Route 66 in the City of Williams, Forest Road (FR) 122, FR 108, and I-40. This includes Benham Trail, Bixler Saddle Trail, Bill Williams Mountain Trail, Bill Williams Connector Trail, Buckskinner Trail, City of Williams Link Trail, Devil Dog Loop Trail, and Clover Spring Loop Trail. Forest Road 122 will also be closed. FR 108 will remain drivable; however, motorists cannot park off the road.

On the Coconino National Forest, the areas of Pumphouse Wash/Kelly Canyon and Fisher Point/Walnut Canyon will be closed beginning Saturday, June 18 at 8 a.m. This includes Pumphouse Wash Dispersed Camping Area, Forest Road (FR) 237 and other roads within the Pumphouse Wash closure area. In the Fisher Point/Walnut Canyon closure area, all forest roads and recreation sites within the area will be closed. This includes Fisher Point, Marshal Lake, portions of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, Canyon Vista Campground, Sandys Canyon Trail No. 137, and more.

These area closures are in addition to the already-implemented emergency closure of most of the Coconino National Forest north of Interstate 40. For the official Closure Order and a map of this area, please see the official Closure Order.

With regards to both national forests, those with private inholdings will be allowed to access their property via a Forest Service Road but are prohibited from entering the surrounding National Forest lands. Exemptions will be issued for critical activities such as road work and surveys that are vital to continuing restoration operations, time-sensitive utilities and communications site work, and emergency response.

Forest managers consider several factors before implementing restrictions or closures, including current fire danger and fire activity, local, regional and national fire preparedness levels, expected weather conditions, availability of firefighting resources, and the economic impacts to businesses and communities. All northern Arizona national forests coordinate fire restrictions and forest closures with federal, state, tribal and local partners.

Closures are generally the last resort for land managers, who take many other steps to reduce the potential for human-caused fires and often consider closing only the most critical areas before a full forest closure. As such, additional area closures or even full forest closures could be forthcoming if conditions warrant.

Closures and restrictions will be in effect until hot, dry conditions are no longer forecast to continue and the forests receives enough widespread precipitation to lower fire danger.

For details and maps of these specific closure areas and their boundaries, visit the following pages online:

Forest Service personnel will make every effort to notify anyone in these areas to vacate before the closure is implemented.

Violating closures and fire restrictions carries a mandatory appearance in federal court, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months in prison, or both.

For information on all Arizona state and federal fire restrictions, including an interactive map, visit wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions. Additional information about the stages of fire restrictions, Forest Orders, and general forest conditions can be found at fs.usda.gov/kaibab and fs.usda.gov/coconino.

Officials Responding to New Haywire Fire

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FLAGSTAFF – The Pipeline Fire, located 6 miles north of Flagstaff, was reported June 12, 2022, at 10:15 a.m. by a fire lookout and is currently 4,500 acres and active on all sides.

Another fire has been reported, known as the Haywire Fire, northeast of the Pipeline Fire. The fire has burned 1,600 acres and was first reported at 5:30 a.m. this morning. Coconino National Forest is responding to this fire separately from the Pipeline Fire at this time. The
Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) will eventually manage both fires.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued GO evacuation orders for the Crater Estates Area. GO means evacuate immediately.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has also issued GO evacuation orders related to the Pipeline Fire for areas of Schultz Pass Road and Arizona Snowbowl and Timberline South of Brandis. GO means evacuate immediately. Areas currently on SET status include Doney Park and Mount Elden Lookout Road/Mount Elden Estates. SET means danger is in the area; make preparations to evacuate immediately.

All residents are asked to be in READY status and should monitor the situation and be
ready to prepare for evacuation.

To follow the current evacuation status for the Pipeline Fire and Haywire Fire, please visit http://ow.ly/2Nll50JvzE5

Shelter Information:

• A Red Cross Shelter is open for residents evacuated due to the Pipeline Fire at Sinagua Middle School, 3950 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, 86004.
• A shelter for household animals is available at Coconino Humane Association: 3501 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. Please check in with staff upon arrival.
• A Livestock shelter is located at Fort Tuthill County Stables. Those seeking assistance are asked to leave animals in their vehicle or trailer and to check in with staff to complete the animal intake process. Directions to Fort Tuthill County Park are available at: https://www.google.com/maps?q=35.1490865,- 111.6879575&hl=en-US&gl=us&entry=gps&shorturl=1. The livestock stables are self-service. Animal owners are responsible for all services related to their livestock, including feeding and watering, and should bring cages for smaller livestock staying at Fort Tuthill.

US 89 is closed north of Flagstaff due to the Pipeline Fire. The southbound side is closed at milepost 430; the northbound side is closed at milepost 427. There is no estimated time to reopen the road. Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.com.

Information about the status and activity of the Haywire Fire and suppression efforts can be found on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8155/ .

For more information visit www.Coconino.az.gov/PipelineFire or call the Pipeline and Haywire Fire Call Center at 928-679-8525.

CCSO issues Evacuations due to Pipeline Fire

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FLAGSTAFF – Due to the Pipeline Fire the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Issued a “GO” evacuation notification for the neighborhood along Highway 89 North of the Landfill Road to Wupatki Trails on both sides of Highway 89. Doney Park is in the “Set” Status

At 11:00 hours The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a fire off Snowbowl Road. Responding Deputies were given the description of a White Pickup truck leaving the area of the fire. Responding Deputies spotted a vehicle matching the description and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.

The driver, a 57-year-old male, was detained until Federal Law Enforcement Officers from the United States Forest Service arrived. The male was arrested by Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers and booked into the Coconino County Sheriff’s Detention Facility for Federal Natural Resource Violations. Federal regulations prohibit the release of the subject’s name, photo and charges.

At this time, it is unknown how long the “Go” evacuations will remain in place. Coconino County Sheriff’s office remains in constant communication with the United States Forest Service Fire personnel, managing this incident, as soon as it is determined safe reenter the Sheriff’s office will release the evacuation order and allow the residents back to their properties. Currently Highway 89 is closed at Campbell and Highway 89 on the South side and Shultz Pass Road and Highway 89 on the North side. 24 hour security Patrols will be conducted n the evacuated areas until re-entry is complete.

It is important that the residents of the evacuated areas, know that if they leave their property, they will not be allowed back in under the evacuation order unless escorted.

Currently the Red Cross Shelter is located at:

  • Sinagua Middle School in Flagstaff
  • Animal Shelter is set up at Fort Tut-Hill
  • Call Center is at (928)679-8525
  • For special circumstances, escorts to and from properties within the evacuated areas will be available from the East Valley Baptist Church at 10655 N. U.S. 89, Tonight until 9:30pm and beginning again on Monday the 13th at 9:00am.

Strong winds push Pipeline Fire more than 15 miles

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FLAGSTAFF – The Pipeline Fire which began 6 miles north of Flagstaff around 10 a.m. is currently estimated at 4,000-5,000 acres and was pushed more than 15 miles by strong winds throughout the day.

A 57-year-old male was arrested by Forest Service law enforcement officers earlier today in connection with the wildfire and charged with natural resource violations. The subject was booked into the Coconino County Sheriff’s Detention Facility.

“The investigation into the cause of the Pipeline Fire is ongoing and, in order to protect the integrity of the investigation, we cannot discuss any details of the investigation,” said Law Enforcement Patrol Captain Andy Pederson.

At this time, no structures or homes have been destroyed.

Jimmy Harris’ California Team 15, a Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT), arrives tomorrow to assume management of the wildfire.

Resources battling the fire today from the air included up to eight air tankers and five helicopters. Currently, 13 engines, nine crews, six prevention patrol units, three dozers, and one water tender are assigned, which comprises approximately 270 personnel.

More air tankers and helicopters are on order for tomorrow’s suppression efforts, and more firefighting resources and personnel will be added to the fight with the arrival of a Type 2 IMT.

Information regarding evacuations and resources for evacuees can be found on the Coconino County Emergency Management website at https://www.coconino.az.gov/207/Emergency-Management.

A map showing the current evacuation area can be found on the Coconino County Emergency Management ArcGIS site at https://coconinocounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=745e7806b0444387bf32792b9c25e169.

Information about the status and activity of the Pipeline Fire and suppression efforts can be found on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8152/.

Wildfire start 6 miles north of Flagstaff just west of Schultz Pass

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FLAGSTAFF – Firefighting resources are responding to a wildfire located 6 miles north of Flagstaff and producing a noticeable plume of smoke.

The Pipeline Fire was reported at 10:15 a.m. by a fire lookout and is currently several acres, but active on all sides and growing. Resources on scene in one Hotshot crew, with another enroute, one dozer, one water tender, three patrol units, and six engines. Four air tankers and one Type 3 helicopter has been ordered.

Smoke will be visible from Flagstaff, and the wind is sweeping the smoke through Schultz Pass toward Doney Park.

Recreationists in the area should leave immediately, especially those in the area of Schultz Pass down to Ft. Valley Trailhead. More information will be provided as it is received.

Flagstaff P.D. host Coffee With Cop

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FLAGSTAFF — On June 3rd and June 10th,the Flagstaff Police Department will be hosting a couple of community meeting events. These meetings are to allow concerned citizens and business owners to meet with consultants who will be making recommendations on a nuisance noise ordinance.

Plan for Interstate 40 on-ramp closure near Flagstaff May 25

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The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising motorists to plan for closure of the on-ramp to westbound Interstate 40 from Business 40 (Route 66) on Wednesday, May 25, as crews perform pavement repairs.

Drivers should be prepared to use Flagstaff Ranch Road to access westbound I-40 during the on-ramp closure from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flaggers will assist with traffic control.

Railroad Fire reported half mile south of Lowell Observatory

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FLAGSTAFF – Multiple resources from the Forest Service and City of Flagstaff are responding to a 1-acre fire on city land, called the Railroad Fire, located about half a mile south of Lowell Observatory.

Reported at approximately 2:08 p.m. today by Elden Lookout, the fire is producing smoke that will be visible to those in the Flagstaff area.

The cause is under investigation, and more information will be provided as it is received.

Flagstaff Police Department seeking information on possible arson

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FLAGSTAFF — On 5/24/2022 at approximately 1403 hours, reports of a wildland fire north of the tracks, north of the Railroad Springs Neighborhood was reported to emergency personnel. US Forest Service, Flagstaff Fire, Flagstaff Police, and CCSO personnel were dispatched to the area.

The Flagstaff Police Department is seeking information related to individuals possibly involved in the incident. Witnesses described observing a juvenile to young adult aged white or light skinned Hispanic male subject wearing a white t-shirt leaving the area and entering a White Dually Pickup Truck, unknown make/model, leaving the adjacent access roads in an eastbound direction.

If you have any information about the possible identity of this person, please contact the Flagstaff Police Department at 928-774-1414 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.

Three Severely Injured in Weekend All-Terrain Vehicle Roll-Over

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FLAGSTAFF – On May 21st, 2022 at 1:35 pm, a Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a report of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) crash involving 3 people on Forest Service Road 240 east of Munds Park.

Upon arrival, the deputy assisted medical personnel who were already on scene treating the three patients. An adult male sustained severe head trauma, an adult female sustained hip and back injuries, and a 4-year-old boy being treated for an eye and lower body injuries. After initial treatment and assessment of injuries all three subjects were transported by Ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center. At the time of this release, all patients are in stable condition.

Initial investigation indicated the grandfather was operating an ATV with the grandmother and their 4-year-old grandson on board. Indications are the grandfather lost control of the ATV, rolled, which ejected the occupants causing the injuries. None of the riders were wearing protective gear.

This matter is still under investigation by CCSO, and no further information is available.

Off road vehicle regulations and safety information can be found on the CCSO’s website,
https://www.coconino.az.gov/1991/OHV-Guidelines.