Tag Archives: Williams

ADOT project rebuilding stretch of I-40 wins national award

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I-40 improvement near Devil Dog Road – ADOT Photo

PHOENIX – An Arizona Department of Transportation project that’s rebuilding 5 miles of Interstate 40 near Williams has been ranked in the nation’s top 10 by Roads & Bridges, a construction industry publication.

The many freeze-thaw cycles seen annually in this area, combined with heavy snow, snowplowing and use by a large number of commercial vehicles, had stressed pavement considerably between Williams and Devil Dog Road.

A $34 million project completely removed the existing eastbound roadway and replaced the surface with new concrete pavement, and crews are nearly done with work overlaying the westbound roadway with new concrete pavement.

“We were patching potholes after every winter storm,” said Chad Auker, assistant district engineer for ADOT’s North Central District. “It was a big maintenance issue.”

To accelerate much-needed improvements, ADOT and Gannett Fleming, the design firm for the project, completed design work, which normally takes about a year, in less than three months. And construction has moved rapidly in part because crews are incorporating Portland Cement Concrete Pavement recycled from this stretch.

Using Portland Cement Concrete Pavement as the road surface increases pavement life by up to 60 percent and outlasts asphalt overlays by at least 10 years.

Gannett Fleming made the nomination to Roads & Bridges because of the project’s innovative and sustainable approach. Handling the construction is Fann Contracting Inc.

“It’s much-deserved,” Auker said. “The whole team, from the designers to the development team to the contractor and ADOT construction staff, worked hard. There were a lot of long days and long weeks, and the award is well-deserved for bringing new pavement to the road.”

The reconstruction between Williams and Devil Dog Road is among projects improving 34 miles of I-40 west Flagstaff. Crews also are improving 28 miles of northbound Interstate 17 just south of Flagstaff and reconstructing I-40 bridge decks at the interchange with I-17 in Flagstaff.

More than leaves come down this fall in Williams

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Some houses barely escape damage from breaking branches.

This picture taken the day after the storm shows a house that escaped damage from breaking branches.

WILLIAMS — More than leaves fell this fall in Williams due to the thunderstorm overnight October 6th. Residents are still cleaning up branches today; some as large as 4″ in diameter.

Some houses barely escaped damage from falling and broken branches.

The storm came in overnight October 6 due to Hurricane Rosa. The storm developed into a severe thunderstorm and left a blanket of snow the following day. Last night Williams temperatures dropped to freezing. Effectively Williams and the surrounding area went from Summer to Winter.

The good news is Williams will get a slight reprieve from the wet weather today and tomorrow with temperatures around 55-degrees. Temperatures will remain in the high fifties through Saturday with slight chances of rain and thunderstorms throughout the period. Winds on Wednesday and Thursday could be about 10-mph with gusts up to 20-mph.

More than leaves fell this fall in Williams. Williams residents clean up since the storm October 6.

Continuing rains will probably affect the efforts of the Kaibab National Forest to continue prescribed burns.

These images were taken in about a four block area.

Some cars were struck by branches as a result of the storm.

First snow hits Williams

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Good morning, Williams. First snow of the year.

Storm leave broken branches behind.

WILLIAMS – Williams was hit, last night, with a furious thunderstorm that left behind broken branches and the first blanket of snow for the year.

The storm began about 8:50 last night dousing Williams in rain and producing a light show of lightning. In the morning Williams was left with a thin blanket of snow in the streets. Heavy winds broke branches off of trees across the City.

There is a 70% chance of more snow turning to thunderstorms and rain today. Thunderstorms are likely overnight and into the day Monday. It is expected to clear over Monday night and become clear and sunny through Wednesday. Thursday more showers are expected to move in.

The Polar Express car gets a hint of Christmas.

Kaibab National Forest seeks public input on a proposed landscape-scale forest restoration project across much of the North Kaibab Ranger District

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest is seeking public input and comments on a proposed project to reduce the threat of uncharacteristic, high-intensity wildfire and to restore the structure, species composition and function of ecosystems on the Kaibab Plateau.

The project, known as the Kaibab Plateau Ecological Restoration Project, is designed to increase resiliency and overall health of vegetation and watersheds and to restore low-intensity fire to the fire-adapted ecosystems of the area. Specifically, the proposed action includes prescribed fire and non-commercial, mechanical vegetation treatments on about 511,000 acres of the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

Most of the Kaibab National Forest’s vegetation is adapted to recurring wildfires, and fire naturally plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health. The condition and structure of the project area’s forests, woodlands, shrublands and grasslands have changed dramatically from natural conditions, in large part because fire has been excluded due to decades of successful fire suppression efforts. Today, the project area contains uncharacteristically dense forests with many more young trees than were present historically, and climate change is making them vulnerable to more frequent high-intensity wildfires.

The project is intended to address those changed conditions by implementing prescribed fire and non-commercial, mechanical vegetation treatments. Prescribed fire would include broadcast burning and pile burning to reduce fuel levels and tree densities, control conifer regeneration, and promote understory plant vigor. Mechanical treatments would include pruning ladder fuels, mastication, chipping and thinning to remove smaller trees with the goal of protecting larger or older trees by targeting understory and ladder fuels.

The Kaibab National Forest encourages public participation in the development of proposed projects and is seeking input and comments on the Kaibab Plateau Ecological Restoration Project. Specific, written comments should be received no later than Nov. 5.

Comments must be in writing and may be delivered electronically, in person, or by mail or facsimile. Electronic comments, including attachments, may be emailed to comments-southwestern-kaibab-north-kaibab@fs.fed.us. Please include “Kaibab Plateau Ecological Restoration Project” in the subject line. Comments may be submitted electronically in Word (.doc or .docx), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), Adobe portable document formats (PDF), or HyperText Markup Language (.html). Submit comments via hand delivery (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays) or mail to: U.S. Forest Service, Kaibab National Forest, Attn: Sue Farley, 800 South 6th Street, Williams, AZ 86046. Send comments via facsimile to 928-635-8280.

For detailed project information, including the full proposed action document, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=54226. For questions, please contact Sue Farley, environmental coordinator for the Kaibab National Forest, at 928-635-8331 or sfarley@fs.fed.us.

A detailed Kaibab Plateau Ecological Restoration Project area map is included on the next page.

Kaibab National Forest information is also available through the following sources:

Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
Flickr (photos): http://bit.ly/KaibabNFPhotos

Kaibab National Forest to offer Christmas tree tags starting November 16

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest will sell over-the-counter and through-the-mail Christmas tree tags for each of its three ranger districts beginning Nov. 16 in order to allow members of the public to enjoy the popular holiday tradition of cutting one’s own tree. With 1,800 tags available, there should be sufficient supply to meet demand for this sought-after public service.

The $15 permit will allow the holder to cut a tree of any species that is not more than 10 feet in height within a designated area on the Kaibab National Forest from Nov. 16 through Dec. 24. The tag is good for a tree on the ranger district from which it was purchased and can’t be used to cut a tree on a different district unless specifically noted. No refunds will be made, even if weather conditions prevent access to cutting areas.

Individuals who purchase tags will be provided with a map showing their designated cutting area along with additional tree cutting instructions. The number of available tags and tree species, locations and hours for purchasing the permits, and contact information for each ranger district are as follows:

# of Permits Available and Tree Species Location of Designated Cutting Area Contact Information Open Days and Hours
800

Any Species

 North Kaibab Ranger District

Note: The Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 1, for tag sales. The visitor center is located at the intersection of highways 89 and 67 in Jacob Lake and can be reached at (928) 643-7298.

 

 Physical address:        430 S. Main St., Fredonia, AZ 86022

Mailing address:        P.O. Box 248,    Fredonia, AZ 86022

(928) 643-7395

 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The office will also be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on two Saturdays, Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, for tag sales.
500

Any Species

 Tusayan Ranger District Physical address:        176 Lincoln Log Loop, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Mailing address:        P.O. Box 3088,       Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

(928) 638-2443

 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
500

Any Species

 

 Williams Ranger District

Note: The Williams Ranger District office will also have 100 tags available for the Tusayan Ranger District.

 

 Physical and mailing address:                      742 S. Clover Rd., Williams, AZ 86046

(928) 635-5600

 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Individuals desiring to purchase Christmas tree tags through the mail should contact the appropriate ranger district office for information on the required process. Turnaround time for arrival of tags through the mail is often 10 business days, so individuals desiring these tags should call well in advance to ensure adequate time for their permits to arrive.

The Kaibab National Forest is also pleased to announce that all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit through the Every Kid in a Park initiative. Every Kid in a Park is a nationwide call to action to connect kids to nature. All fourth graders are eligible to receive a fourth grade pass that allows free access to federal lands and waters across the country for a full year. In support of this initiative, the Kaibab National Forest is making available a free Christmas tree permit to every interested fourth grader with a fourth grade pass or paper voucher. For additional information about the initiative and how to obtain a pass, visit www.everykidinapark.gov. To be eligible for a free Christmas tree permit from the Kaibab National Forest, all fourth graders must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and present their fourth grade pass or paper voucher.

For detailed Kaibab National Forest Christmas tree tag information throughout the season, visit http://bit.ly/KNFChristmasTags.

Beautiful morning, but more rain on the way

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Clouds hover over Bill Williams Mountain this morning.

WILLIAMS – It was a beautiful morning, but showers are expected later today and tonight. After a short break Friday, showers are expected to pick up Saturday and run through next Tuesday according to the long-range forecast.

Showers are 60% likely today and 70% tonight. Thursday there is a 30% chance of thundershowers turning partly cloudy overnight. Friday will be sunny with a high near 66 with light winds.

Saturday the rain returns with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. The chance increases to 60% over Saturday night and over Sunday. Sunday night, the chance drops to 40% overnight. Columbus day is Monday with government offices closing and the chance of rain dropping to 20% through Tuesday during the day.

Winds will be around 11-mph today and tonight increasing to 15-mph Thursday with gusts as high as 23-mph expected. Winds die down to about 10-mph Thursday night.

There are no hazardous or unusual weather conditions in the forecast.

Kaibab National Forest creates map products to improve motorist navigation experience

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest is continuing its effort to improve the experience of motorists navigating forest roads by providing enhanced map products available for free through its website.

This week, new Travel Maps for each of the Kaibab National Forest’s three ranger districts were made available at http://bit.ly/KNFmaps for public use and download. These digital maps, which are GPS-enabled and intended for use with smartphones and tablets, are specifically designed to help motorists locate their position while traveling on the forest and using their devices.

A section of a digital Travel Map displaying more extensive cartographic design intended to better assist motorists in navigating forest roads. Courtesy of Kaibab National Forest.

The Travel Maps are meant to serve as helpful companions to the official Motor Vehicle Use Map for each ranger district. Motor Vehicle Use Maps are the official documents showing what roads and areas on the forest are open to motor vehicle travel. However, the large physical size of the Motor Vehicle Use Maps makes them difficult to handle or refer to while traveling. Also, some motorists have reported that the small map scale and spare cartographic design of the Motor Vehicle Use Maps make it difficult to locate themselves with confidence along the roads and trails and within the areas that they portray.

In response to these concerns, the Kaibab National Forest developed the GPS-enabled Travel Maps, which include much more extensive cartographic design and also feature recreation destinations to help visitors enjoy their forest experience.

“Our goal is to continue finding opportunities to create more and better map products for use by our visitors and employees,” said Mark Christiano, GIS coordinator for the Kaibab National Forest. “We want people to have the best experience possible when they visit us, and we know that maps can greatly influence that experience.”

While the Travel Maps are only available digitally, the Motor Vehicle Use Maps for each ranger district are available both digitally and in hard copy format and are also free of charge. Besides these map products which identify roads and areas where motor vehicle travel is allowed, the Kaibab National Forest also offers Visitor Maps for a fee. These detailed recreation maps provide information on the forest’s cultural history, campgrounds, wilderness areas, unique recreational opportunities, wildlife and more.

Members of the public can download the free, digital Travel Maps for their devices as well as the official Motor Vehicle Use Maps for each ranger district by visiting http://bit.ly/KNFmaps.

Kaibab National Forest information is also available through the following sources:

Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
Flickr (photos): http://bit.ly/KaibabNFPhotos

Williams Ranger District Continuing Ignitions on Sunflower Rx Fire Project

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Smoke from Sunflower fire seen in Williams.

WILLIAMS — Fire managers on the south zone of the Kaibab National Forest will continue ignitions on the Sunflower Prescribed Fire Project through the weekend ahead as forest conditions remain favorable. Over the past three days, 3731 acres have been treated with an additional 2100 acre unit scheduled to be ignited on Saturday, and a 1000 acre block on Sunday.

During the remaining firing operations this week campers and hunters are asked to avoid establishing campsites near the fire activity and seek alternative sites away from the burn area.

Outflowing moisture remnants from Hurricane Rosa are expected to arrive into the local area early next week which will likely curtail prescribed fire activities for several days. Crews may move into burning slash piles in the interim as forest conditions become wetter.

Smoke will be visible and impacts may occur in the communities of Parks, Sherwood Forest Estates, Garland Prairie, Bellemont and outlying areas throughout Verde Valle. Smoke production should noticeably decrease by Sunday as operations cease on the Sunflower project.

Officials understand that smoke impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration more effectively using prescribed methods as opposed to an uncontrolled wildfire situation with long term effects.

During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorizations, please visit www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html.

Information about prescribed fire projects on the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/
Kaibab National Forest Website; www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311.
For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Kaibab National Forest to offer firewood permits at Hotevilla Community Center at Hopi

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TUSAYAN – The Kaibab National Forest will issue free-use, paid personal-use and ceremonial firewood permits for the Tusayan Ranger District at the Hotevilla Community Center next week. This is the first fuelwood event to be held at Hopi and is part of the Kaibab National Forest’s ongoing effort to increase accessibility of firewood to tribal communities.

Event details are as follows:

· Friday, Sept. 28 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. MST – Hotevilla Community Center

A permit must be acquired by anyone harvesting any firewood on the Kaibab National Forest, except for the small amounts used in a campfire and gathered at the campfire site. The 2018 firewood cutting season runs from April 16 to December 31 for the Tusayan Ranger District.

The minimum cost for a paid, personal-use firewood permit is $20, which is good for 10 cords of wood. A maximum of 20 cords of wood is available per individual for $40. For free-use permits, a maximum of 10 cords is available per individual. For ceremonial permits, two cords are available per individual with proper identification.

Besides the upcoming event at the Hotevilla Community Center on September 28, permits are also available during firewood season at the following Kaibab National Forest locations:

Williams Ranger District – 742 S. Clover Road, Williams; (928) 635-5600
Tusayan Ranger District – 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Grand Canyon; (928) 638-2443
North Kaibab Ranger District – 430 S. Main St., Fredonia; (928) 643-7395

It is important that a permit be acquired even for free-use areas because by tracking public demand for the various kinds of permits, the amount of wood removed, and other factors, forest managers are better able to plan for the future needs of firewood collectors and provide greater opportunities for accessing these important resources. Firewood from the Kaibab National Forest is frequently used by local community and tribal members for home heating, cooking and other critical purposes.

All permits issued by the Kaibab National Forest will include a map and detailed cutting regulations as well as load tags, which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The goal of this load tagging system is to ensure accountability for the amount of wood removed from the forest and to inform planning for future firewood cutting areas to meet public need and forest restoration objectives.

The removal of firewood is permitted only from National Forest lands on the district for which the permit is issued. Firewood cutters are reminded to take note of property boundaries and cut only on National Forest lands.

Firewood cutters should be aware that chainsaws can throw sparks and ignite grasses and brush. Always carry a shovel and a fire extinguisher or water in case of a fire start. Additionally, all chainsaws must be equipped with a stainless steel spark arrestor screen.

Detailed firewood cutting information and maps will be updated throughout the firewood season on the Kaibab National Forest website at www.bit.ly/KNFfuelwood.

Members of the public can find additional information on the Kaibab National Forest through the following sources:

Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
Flickr: bit.ly/KaibabNFPhotos

Revival at Rodeo Barn set for tonight

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WILLIAMS – Williams churches have joined together and decked out the Rodeo Barn to present the First Annual Revival Celebration with music and seven local pastors providing messages.

Pastor Joe Oswald from the First Baptist Church pointed out in one of his sermons that a revival is to revive the spirit of Christians. Anyone is welcome, however, and there will be alter calls and baptisms at the services. After the services there will be Christian fellowship. The services run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. tonight through Sunday September 16.

The Schedule for the event is as follows:

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH

5:30PM
WELCOME Pastor Mary Piotrowski-St. John’s Episcopal/Lutheran Church
PUPPET PRESENTATION Martha Simoneau -1st Baptist Church
MUSIC
1ST MESSAGE. …. Pastor Mary Piotrowski – St. John’s Episcopal/Lutheran Church
MUSIC
2nd MESSAGE Pastor Jeff Kennedy – 1st Missionary Baptist Church (Flagstaff)
Altar Call and Baptism service
REFRESHMENTS AND FELLOWSHIP—–BRING SOMEONE NEW TOMORROW!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH

5:30PM
WELCOME Pastor Dave Remender – Calvary Chapel
PUPPET PRESENTATION Martha Simoneau -1st Baptist Church
MUSIC
1ST MESSAGE Pastor Dave Remender – Calvary Chapel
MUSIC
2nd MESSAGE Pastor Tim Milner – Family Harvest Church
Altar Call and Baptism service
REFRESHMENTS AND FELLOWSHIP —— BRING SOMEONE NEW TOMORROW!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH

5:30PM
WELCOME Mike Rioux – SUPPORTED BY HOPE FOR THE WORLD
PUPPET PRESENTATION Martha Simoneau
1st Baptist Church
MUSIC
1ST MESSAGE Mike Rioux – SUPPORTED BY HOPE FOR THE WORLD
MUSIC
2nd MESSAGE. Pastor Fred Brane – Holiness Congregation
Altar Call and Baptism service
REFRESHMENTS AND FELLOWSHIP