Tag Archives: Oak Creek

Slide Rock firefighters discover historic cabin

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10415667_716489855063758_6710966526141201803_nFirefighters preparing to do burnout operations on the Slide Fire north of Sedona discovered the remains of a previously unidentified historic cabin unknown to the forest.

Engine Boss Leo Holley and crewmembers from the Coronado National Forest identified this historical small cabin, tucked away in a steep side canyon, and right away recognized the importance of this exciting find.

Leo and his crew began to remove fuels and constructed a fire line and removed debris around the cabin to protect and preserve the delicate piece of unseen history. They reinforced defense efforts with a layer of protective fabric that will help save it during burnout operations. Coconino National Forest archaeologist Jeremy Haines salvaged an axe hewn log from the structure in order to send it to the Tree Ring laboratory at the University of Arizona to have it dated.

This is just one more extraordinary effort firefighters have taken to preserve this piece of land we all hold dear.

Slide Rock Fire Information Page

Slide Rock Fire grows to 7,500 acres

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slide-rock-helicopter-01OAK CREEK – The Slide Rock Fire has grown to 7,500 acres according to an 8 p.m. update. The fire is reported to be 5% contained.

Coconino National Forest photo

Coconino National Forest photo

Crews continued to hold the fire west of Highway 89A and south of Fry Canyon. A small spot fire occurred across the northern line into an area that was previously thinned in 2006. Because this area was previously treated, the spot fire was unable to grow and crews quickly extinguished it. Hotshot crews also worked to create fire line across the Pumphouse Wash near the Hwy 89A ‘switchbacks’ to control the east flank and prevent further spread east.

Winds increased to 18-22mph with gusts of 32, temperatures were in the 70s. As the day continued to warm, firefighters saw an increase in fire behavior, with the most active portion of the fire toward the northwest to Harding Point. Firefighters observed active fire in the East Pocket area, but previously dropped retardant helped firefighters minimize growth.

Tonight firefighters will be working throughout the lower canyon to monitor fire activity and conduct burnout operations as necessary. Overnight downslope winds will likely continue to drive the fire down canyon. Erratic winds may also be present producing moderate fire behavior. Crews will conduct burnout operations along forest service road 535 and prepare FSR 231 for continued burnout operations tomorrow.

Earlier we reported that highway 89A from Sedona to Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff was open, but that is incorrect. It remains closed. Other routes closed are Forest Road (FR) 535 at Highway 89A, FR 533 at Highway 89A, FR 231 at Rogers Lake, FR 527 and 530 (west side; Volunteer Canyon area), and Casner Mountain is closed to all vehicles.

Evacuations remain in place in Oak Creek Canyon from Slide Rock State Park to Sterling Springs Hatchery. Coconino County issued a pre-evacuation notice to residents of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands subdivisions. Residents are advised to be prepared to evacuate. County Emergency Management encourages those in the affected neighborhoods to begin packing important items they may need for several days. These items include prescriptions, important papers, any special dietary needs and pets. No new evacuations are in place at this time.

Coconino County is reminding people to register their cellphone number with the County’s CodeRED emergency notification system. Only those residents whose numbers are registered will receive a direct phone call about any type of pre- or mandatory evacuation order.

Williams wakes up to Slide Rock fire smoke

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srfw-140522-02WILLIAMS – The citizens of the City of Williams woke up with a reminder of just how serious the fire in Oak Creek is. Like Flagstaff yesterday, Williams seems to be receiving smoke from the Slide Rock fire. The City of Williams is almost 39-miles from the south edge of the fire threatening Kachina Village and Forest Highlands.

About 3,000 residents of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands have been warned to evacuate. An email we received indicated that Munds Park and Mountainair may be evacuated if the fire jumps I-17, but we have found no official information.

The fire, reported at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, started about 5 miles north of Sedona just north of Slide Rock State Park. the fire has grown to 4,830 acres due to high winds and difficult terrain. The difficulty of fighting the fire and the swiftness of its spread is also caused by lawsuits generated by “green” organizations which prevent the forest service from ridding the forest of fire fuels. This also forces the forest service to fund legal fees over maintaining the forest.

As of last night, fire managers saw very active fire behavior including runs, spotting, and torching as the fire became established in the upper Sterling Canyon area. Crews quickly responded with burnout operations along forest service road 535 west to State Route 89A to the north. Fire retardant was also used heavily in steep terrain along the west flank with good results. The latest word from the Coconinco County Sheriff’s Office hotline is that 89a is open and passable, but motorist are cautioned about the smoky conditions causing limited visibility. For motorist for respiratory conditions, you might consider Interstate 17 to State Route 179 to get to Sedona.

The fire transitioned to a Type I Incident Management Team bringing many additional resources to the fire. 840 fire fighting personnel are battling the blaze including Hot Shot crews and air craft.

Approximately 300 structures, private homes as well vacation resort cabins and a Forest Service lookout tower.

While the fire is under investigation, it appears to be human caused. Law Enforcement is seeking any information the public may have regarding the start of the Slide Fire and anyone of suspicion in the area yesterday between Slide Rock State Park and Half Way Picnic Area. The public should call Forest Service Law Enforcement at 928-527-3511 if they have any information that might assist law enforcement in the investigation.

As of late, Kaibab National Forest has not indicated a closure of the forest. Bob Pena, a local resident with 28-years of fire fighting service, said that the forest service does not evoke closures until the fire danger reaches extreme. Current fire danger is high.

Northern Arizona is still waiting to see what thunderstorms predicted over the weekend will bring. It is hoped that sufficient rainfall will assist fire fighters on the Slide Rock Fire as well as dampen the other forest areas to prevent new problems.
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Memorial Day legacy events in Williams

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The lone soldier at the Williams Own Veteran's Memorial watches over the names of those Williams residents who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The lone soldier at the Williams Own Veteran’s Memorial watches over the names of those Williams residents who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

KOREAWILLIAMS – 36 USC §116 designates the last Monday in May as Memorial Day. Memorial Day was established in 1868 to pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms that are supposed to be guaranteed to us in the Constitution and the inalienable Bill of Rights.

This is the legacy of Memorial Day. One should keep in mind on Monday what the day is for. Everyone should remember that we still have men and women overseas on ships at sea and on land. We also have thousands of those who have yet to return. Prisoners of war unaccounted for and those missing in action. The United States government promised those it sent into harms way that it would never have a “presumed dead” category.

Unfortunately we must also add to our prayers those fighting the Slide Rock fire and those in Sedona and the Oak Creek area affected by it. The smoke from the fire is reaching Flagstaff and may hamper some of the activities they have planned.

The Williams Memorial day parade in honor of military members living and passed on begins at 11 am on Saturday. On Monday the American Legion Cordova Post #13 holds ceremonies at the Williams cemetery honoring those who have paid the price.

Flagstaff, Williams and other northern Arizona cities will provide activities that we can enjoy thanks to the sacrifice of these service members.

In Williams, the Cataract Creek Gang have begun their gunfights and will continue throughout the summer each night at 7 pm.

The Kiwanis Club Route 66 Street Market opens Friday morning and runs through Monday. The Street Market, formerly Williams Swap Meet, will continue after Memorial day and generally runs to September or October. The Street Market is located on the west end of town across from Williams Memorial Park.

There will be music on the Babbit-Polson Community Stage in the Williams Visitor Center parking lot next to the Recreation Center on Saturday from 12 to 2 pm.

The Williams Aquatic Center will open from 10 am to 4 pm Saturday with a Hawaiian Luau Pool party from noon to 2 pm sponsored by the Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center. There will be free food and games. There will be drawings for free individual and family passes, youth swim lessons and punch cards for individual sessions.

Sheriff’s office seek person for questioning in Oak Creek sexual assault.

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oak-creek-suspectThe Coconino County Sheriff’s department has issued a flyer of a person wanted for questioning in a sexual assault incident in Oak Creek on January 8.

The sexual assault allegedly took place on the Canyon Day use area side of south highway 89A on January 8 at approximately 9:30 am.

The person wanted is a male mid to late forties, approximately 5′ 10″ of medium build and dark brown, medium length hair. He was last seen wearing brown pants with side pockets, a colored sweat shirt and cowboy boots.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Sheriff’s office at (928)774-4523 or toll free at 800-338-7888. You may also call silent witness at (928)774-6111.