Tag Archives: Sedona

State Route 89A switchbacks closure lifted early

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640px-sr89-Sedona-140501-42PHOENIX — Drivers traveling between Sedona and Flagstaff received welcome news when the Arizona Department of Transportation lifted restrictions and opened the “switchbacks” section of State Route 89A to motorists, well ahead of schedule, late last night. There are currently no construction/fire-related restrictions along SR 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff.

The three-mile section of SR 89A (mileposts 387-390) between the Pine Flat Campground and the Vista Point scenic overlook south of Flagstaff was closed to allow crews to resurface the highway along this narrow, twisty section of roadway, which is prone to rockfalls. As part of the $2 million improvement project, ADOT removed loose rocks from the mountainside along the roadway and made deck repairs to the historic Pumphouse Wash Bridge.

By allowing the contractor (Phoenix-based Combs Construction) unrestricted access to the work zone, crews were able to safely complete paving, bridge repair and rock scaling work in an expedited manner that would not have been possible without the full closure of the roadway.

From the beginning, ADOT was committed to completing the project as soon as possible while focusing on safety and quality. Prior to the start of the project, ADOT provided the contractor monetary incentives to complete the project prior to the end of the scheduled five-week closure. The contractor will receive the maximum allowed bonus ($104,000) for completing the work early.

“Thanks to the swift efforts by the contractor Combs Construction and ADOT’s steadfast commitment to complete the project as efficiently and safely as possible, we were able to reopen the closed SR 89A section of roadway – an incredible 16 days ahead of schedule,” said Flagstaff District Engineer Audra Merrick. “Despite this project’s many challenges, in the end, this will be a smoother, safer road for the traveling public for many years to come.”

The project began on April 21, with single lane restrictions in place along the switchbacks. The five-week full closure of the highway had originally been scheduled from May 27 – July 2, but crews were evacuated from the project on May 20, at the start of the Slide Fire. The wildfire originated approximately six miles south of the project near Slide Rock State Park and forced the closure of the highway from Sedona to Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff.

Work on the project resumed on June 1, shortly after local authorities lifted wildfire-related restrictions near the highway.

ADOT had a limited window in which to complete the paving work in this region (June – August) because applying new pavement is extremely temperature sensitive. The goal was to complete the pavement improvements prior to the rainy monsoon season, which could have delayed the project significantly.

ADOT will need to return next month to complete final lane striping through the project corridor. A single-lane restriction will be required and flaggers will be present to guide traffic through the work zone.

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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Slide Rock and Sunset fires first major fires of the season

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Near Slide Rock State Park in Sedona, the Brins Fire burnt 4,300 acres during the summer of 2006. This photo is of the cliffs above the Slide Rock parking lot. (Arizona State Parks web site)

Near Slide Rock State Park in Sedona, the Brins Fire burnt 4,300 acres during the summer of 2006. This photo is of the cliffs above the Slide Rock parking lot. (Arizona State Parks web site)

OAK CREEK – High winds and restricted area are making difficult the fighting of a fire in Oak Creek Canyon about a mile north of Slide Rock State park reported just before 4 pm today. It is being fought largely with aircraft. Witnesses reported to KTVK in Phoenix that fire fighting crews responded with amazing swiftness after the fire was reported.

A separate fire near Cordes Junction closed portions of Interstate 17 for about four hours.

The Slide Fire, reported just before 4 p.m. today, is currently estimated to be 20 acres, burning on the north side of Highway 89 in Oak Creek Canyon near Slide Rock State Park.

Multiple firefighting units are responding, including two Hotshot crews, four engines, two helicopters, an air attack unit and Sedona Fire.

Gerry Blair of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office told KTVK in Phoenix that they are requesting some evacuations and that he had heard of no fire-related injuries.

Highway 89 may close to traffic near the Slide Rock area, and evacuations are being ordered for areas just north of Slide Rock State Park. It is unknown whether there are any structures threatened at this time.

The fire is currently moving to the north and fuel treatments in the area have kept the fire from aggressive activity.

Cause is unknown at this time.

The American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter has opened a shelter at Sinagua Middle School, 3950 E. Butler Avenue, in Flagstaff for those displaced by the fire in Oak Creek Canyon.

The Sunset brush fire near Sunset Point north of Phoenix caused Interstate 17 to be closed for a time. After more than four-hours, Interstate 17 was reopened. according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

At 6:30 p.m., both directions of the freeway were reopened. The left lane was closed in each direction for two miles, from milepost 254-256. There is no indication when those lanes would reopen.

The freeway had been closed from near the Sunset Point Rest Area 35 miles north of Phoenix to just south of the Cordes Junction exit at SR 69 beginning about 2 p.m.

John McCain to host Hillary Clinton in Sedona, Ariz.

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In a statement released Thursday, McCain called Clinton “my friend” and praised her public service career.

Opening Of The Center For The IntrepidSince leaving the State Department last year, Hillary Rodham Clinton has racked up scores of accolades and appeared on many a big stage. Still, it might come as a surprise that a past Republican presidential nominee — specifically, the one who is among the loudest critics of Clinton’s handling of the Benghazi terrorist attacks — would invite her to his desert retreat for a lofty conversation about leadership values.

This is precisely what Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has done.

Clinton, a prospective 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, will appear on stage Saturday with McCain at the Sedona Forum, an annual ideas festival hosted by the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. Clinton is among the national and international business leaders, philanthropists and public figures appearing at the gathering, held in Sedona, the tony red-rocks oasis in Arizona’s Verde Valley.

In a statement released Thursday, McCain called Clinton “my friend” and praised her public service career.

Read more at The Washington Post

Sedona TEA Party offers seminar on the Constitution

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“[T]he present Constitution is the standard to which we are to cling. Under its banners, bona fide must we combat our political foes — rejecting all changes but through the channel itself provides for amendments.” —Alexander Hamilton, letter to James Bayard, April, 1802

SEDONA—The Sedona TEA Party will be holding two lectures in December entitled “The Peoples Convention.” The seminars are $10 each and features attorney Blair Henry on Article 5 of the Constitution of the United States.

Article 5 of our Constitution sets down instructions on how the States can hold a convention and make amendments to the Constitution. Blair will cover conception, history, and application of Article 5. He will explain how we can make it work for We the People?

“The People’s Convention” seminar dates, times and locations are as follows:

WEDNESDAY, 12/4, 5:45 to 8:00 PM,
SEDONA PUBLIC LIBRARY
3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, 86336
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THURSDAY, 12/5, 6:15 to 8:30 PM,
CANYON TRAILS COWBOY CHURCH
3132 White Bear Road, Sedona, 86336

Source: Sedona TEA Party

Sedona International Film Festival and Sedona Smart Meter Awareness offer free smart meter documentary viewing

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Sedona International Film Festival and Sedona Smart Meter Awareness groups have teamed up to present a documentary on so-called smart meters.

The documentary, Take Back Your Power, written by Josh del Sol and Daryl Bennett and directed by Josh explores the spying capability built in to the smart meters. The film was released on September 5th.

Smart meters are already in place in Flagstaff, Williams and other northern Arizona cities. Most city and town councils vote to approve them without any idea of the Fourth Amendment violation these meters represent.

The viewing of the film is scheduled for this Monday, September 9th at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre in Sedona. The theater is located at 2030 W. Highway 89A in West Sedona.

The 4 pm and 7 pm showings are booked, so the groups added a special 1 pm showing. To reserve free tickets, you can call 928-282-1177

Two Stranded Hikers Rescued from West Fork in Oak Creek Canyon

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SEDONA—Two male hikers, one seventeen and one twenty years of age both of Scottsdale, Arizona, were rescued by Coconino County Sheriff’s Office personnel late Saturday evening after they found themselves in darkness with no flashlights or other light sources.

On Saturday, June 1, 2013 at about 8:43 pm the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Sedona Fire Department (SFD). According to a SFD dispatcher, she received a 911 emergency call from one of two hikers who were stranded in West Fork Canyon in extremely dark conditions in the absence of a visible moon. The Sedona Fire Emergency Dispatch was able to determine latitude and longitude for the cell phone call, within approximately 100 feet, because they are equipped with a 911 Enhanced emergency call system that provides cell phone location information.

Furnished with a precise location of the stranded youth, a team comprised of a Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputy, a Search and Rescue Coordinator and a Search and Rescue Volunteer responded to the West Fork Trailhead and hiked approximately two miles to the victims’ location. Rescuers reached the victims at about 11:10 pm and provided each with a flashlight. The rescuers then accompanied the two hikers back to the trailhead.

The men and women of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit would like to remind hikers and hunters to leave a detailed trip plan with a trusted person and be prepared for the unexpected night out in the event of an accident or other emergency. Carry the 10 Essentials: extra water, food, warm clothing, navigation equipment, a headlamp or flashlight, a first aid kit, shelter material, a fire starting kit, a pocket knife, and signaling equipment like a signal mirror and whistle. These can be important tools to help you stay safe in the outdoors and to aid searchers in locating you. During the summer months extreme caution with fire is urged in order to prevent a wildfire.