Tag Archives: Williams

Fire Managers Urge Public Not To Fly Drones Over or Near Wildland Fire Operations

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WILLIAMS – Kaibab National Forest officials along with all federal, state, and local wildland fire agencies are reminding members of the public not to fly “Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)” or drones over or near wildfire or prescribed fire operations at any time.

With fire season rapidly approaching, land managers are taking a proactive approach to alert recreationalists and forest users of the inherent dangers of flying drones near fire management activities. Unauthorized UAS flights can potentially cause serious accidents, disrupt aerial firefighting operations, and pose significant safety hazards to both the public and personnel working in the air and on the ground.

Air tankers and helicopters are valuable resources used to rapidly curtail the spread of unwanted wildfires that can often be very difficult to suppress. They are sometimes the deciding factor in successfully stopping a fast moving wildfire. These aircraft typically fly at very low altitudes and UAS interference can instantly stop operations requiring air resources to be grounded due to the potential for a midair collision. Unforeseen intrusions of this nature impede suppression efforts and compromise the safety of firefighting personnel. The impending consequences have the potential to threaten communities and endanger lives.

With interest and popularity rising steadily in this recreational activity, documented incidents of drone incursions on wildland fire incidents have doubled over the last two years and trends are indicating more of the same as the numbers of UAS sales continue to climb.

A number of websites are available to the public to obtain more information about UAS safe practices and Federal Aviation Administration requirements. For guidance see http://www.faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/

Also, available is a UAS awareness campaign called “If You Fly, We Can’t” designed to keep UAS pilots away from airspace used by firefighters. See: https://www.fs.fed.us/fire/aviation/uas.html.

To learn more or to report a safety-related UAS event, got to the FAA’s Aviation Safety Hotline website at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aae/programs_services/faa_hotlines/

Williams City Council meeting Thursday February 9

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WILLIAMS – The council meeting will begin with normal pledge, invocation and roll call. The public participation period will follow allowing five-minute input on a subject concerning the City of Williams. If more than five-minutes is required, the speaker should note that on the sign-in sheet and the presiding officer may, but is not required to, grant more time.

After the approval of purchase orders and the check register for month ending January 31, 2017, the council will consider:

  • Resolution No. 1342 to authorize refinancing of GADA 2005, 2008 and Zions 2010
    bonds into series 2017
  • Resolution No. 1343 to consummate the agreement between the City and Route 66
    Auto Care LLC including acceptance of title to real property by the City
  • Council will consider and may approve financial support to the Parents Who Care
    Committee for Grad Night in 2017

The council will convene to executive session for discussion and possible action regarding potential settlement in RKID v. City of Williams. The Council may vote to enter into executive session pursuant to ARS §38-431.03(A)(3) for legal advice or (A)(4) for negotiations in pending litigation.

They will re-convene to regular session and may take action on executive session items before adjourning.

Snow today, rain through tomorrow

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WILLIAMS – Williams and Flagstaff may experience some snow before noon, today, turning to rain in the afternoon and through Tuesday. Ash Fork, Valle and the surrounding area can expect rain through the same period.

Winds today will be West southwest wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. On Tuesday winds will be 15-mph with gusts up to 23. The chill factor will be minimal and temperatures will remain in the mid-40s.

It is expected to clear Wednesday and Thursday with temperatures in the 50s. Chance of rain will return Friday and through the weekend, but temperatures are currently expected to remain in the upper-40s and lower-50s.

No hazardous conditions are predicted for the time frame. The rain should wash away some of the remaining snow and residents can expect muddy conditions. Icy conditions may exist in the early morning hours, so drivers should take caution.

Several Recent Multi-Agency Winter Related Rescues in Northern Arizona

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies and Search and Rescue Unit responded to five snow related rescues over this past weekend.

On Friday January 20, 2017 deputies responded to a female in medical distress who was stranded in the snow when the all-terrain vehicle she and her companion were driving became stuck in the snow. The female and her male friend had gone for an ATV ride off Slayton Ranch Road north east of Flagstaff when they got their UTV stuck in deep snow on a hill. The couple had a disagreement and the male walked away to get help.

The female who was pregnant and had other medical conditions began to suffer from hypothermia and experience various degrees of consciousness. Deputies aided by citizens with ATV’s attempted to reach the female victim, but were unsuccessful due to the deep snow. A deputy was able to hike to the female and began to render aid until Search and Rescue personnel and a medic from Guardian Ambulance were able to get to the victim by way of a specialized tracked UTV. The female was transported to a waiting ground ambulance and transported to Flagstaff Medical Center where she was admitted for treatment of hypothermia.

On Saturday January 21, 2017 Coconino Sheriff’s Search and Rescue responded to a subject who had become stuck in chest deep snow while snowboarding in the back county on the south side of the San Francisco Peaks. Two ski patrol personnel from the Arizona Snowbowl responded from the top of the mountain with snowshoes, while nine Search and Rescue volunteers responded from the Kachina Trail. Ski patrol made contact with the victim and were able to assist him down the mountain to the Freidlein Prairie Road to Search and Rescue’s waiting snow cat. The subject was transported back to the Snowbowl and re-united with his party.

On Sunday January 22, 2017 Coconino County Deputies and Search and Rescue began a search for two overdue snowmobilers in the Jacob Lake area. Two subjects had checked into Jacob Lake Lodge and left the area for a snowmobile trip to an unknown destination. When the subjects had not returned by late that evening, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted. Deputies contacted a flight crew from Classic Air Medical out of Page who were in Flagstaff at the time. The flight crew agreed to fly the Jacob Lake area on their trip back to their base.

The flight crew located two snowmobiles headed toward Jacob Lake on the Ryan Road. The subjects made it back to Jacob Lake prior to sunrise. They reported they snowmobiled to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, but on the return trip they encountered deep snow. Their snowmobiles became stuck in the deep snow requiring them to dig out the machines and delaying their return. Neither of them required medical attention.

On Monday January 23, 2017 the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a snowboarder who was in the back country and had suffered a possible broken leg. The subject left the ski area of the Arizona Snowbowl and entered the back country on the south side of the San Francisco Peaks. The subject jumped an unknown object and fractured his leg. Four ski patrollers from Arizona Snowbowl and 13 Coconino Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the area.

The ski patrol descended from the top of the mountain with a toboggan while Search and Rescue responded from Freidlein Prairie Road in a snow cat. Ski patrol located the victim, provided initial treatment and prepared the subject for transport. Search and Rescue personnel hiked uphill from Freidlein Prairie to break trail for the ski patrol’s descent. The patient was safely transported by toboggan to the Search and Rescue snow cat and transported to a waiting ambulance.

Monday January 23, 2017 evening, the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue responded to assist the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZ DPS) with a tour bus that had become stuck in mud just off the highway. Around 4:00 PM the AZ DPS received a call of a tour bus stuck just off Hwy 180 on Forest Road 417. Troopers responded to the area and found the bus driver had followed his GPS directing an alternate route to Page, AZ. The bus became stuck in the mud about four miles off the highway. The bus was fully loaded with 45 tourists from South Korea. Highway 180 was closed at the time due to drifting snow in Kendrick Park.

The rescue of the tourists was further affected by one of the series of snow storms that hit the area around 5:00 PM. The storm resulted in a quick accumulation of six to eight inches of snow in the area. DPS began shuttling the tourists to a staging area near the highway using several of their four wheel drive patrol vehicles. A citizen also assisted in shuttling the bus passengers. Coconino Sheriff’s Search and Rescue arranged for a bus and three employees from the Williams Unified School District to transport the tourists to a local motel.

Snow still coming down

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WILLIAMS – Snow was light throughout the day Friday, but started up again about 6:30 p.m. The biggest danger, however, was the high winds blowing snow and lowering visibility. Traffic in Williams was light and, surprisingly, there were few incidents along the freeway.

Williams can expect up to 12-inches tonight with another 3-inches throughout the day tomorrow. The winter storm warning will cease tomorrow at 11 a.m., but the snow is expected to continue through Monday with another 8-inches possible. There is a possibility of snow Monday night and Tuesday with little more accumulation expected.

Wednesday this storm will finally pass and the sun will return. Temperatures will remain in the 30s and below freezing overnight.

Amateur radio operators prepare to activate Amateur Radio Emergency Service

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FLAGSTAFF – The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES – Pronounced air-ease) is a component of the Amateur Radio Relay League. They activate in times of natural or man-made disaster. ARES in Flagstaff is operated by the Coconino Amateur Radio Club. There has recently been a move to create a group in Williams.

ARES was not activated during the recent Christmas eve storm, but may be activated by Coconino County Emergency Management Friday and Saturday in preparation for what may occur during the upcoming storm.

SKYWARN weather spotters are also encouraged to report snow fall amounts and unusual weather conditions. SKYWARN is sponsored by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). You can also monitor the NOAA weather frequencies available on most FRS/GMRS radios. You can learn more about SKYWARN at their web site.

ARES operators in Flagstaff and Williams will monitor the ARES repeater located on Mount Elden in Flagstaff. Williams operators will also be monitoring the repeater located on Bill Williams Mountain operated by the Bill Williams Mountain Radio Club for emergency traffic. GMRS channel 22 will also be monitored for emergency traffic. Unless you have a GMRS license, you may only use channels 15-22 of FRS/GMRS multi-use radios to call for help to prevent loss of life or property according to FCC regulations.

There are no provisions currently in place to monitor citizens band Channel 9.

The Bill Williams Mountain repeater operates on Frequency 146.780, tone of 91.5 with a standard negative offset of 600 hertz. The ARES repeater operates on 146.980, tone of 162.2 with a standard negative offset. In Williams, operators have agreed on the frequency of 146.940 for SIMPLEX communications. The cooperation of amateur operators in keeping these free for emergency traffic if ARES activates is appreciated.

The operators attempting to form an emergency communications group has a Facebook page for more information.

Winter Storm Watch through Saturday Morning

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WILLIAMS – A winter storm watch is set for tomorrow morning through Saturday morning for the snow fall expected to start tonight. A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow and or ice accumulations and strong winds. These conditions may impact travel. People who were here during the Christmas of ’16 will remember the 28-car pileup on Interstate 40 in Williams. Travel is not advised unless it is an absolute necessity.A light snow will develop and spread from west to east during the day Thursday. Moderate to heavy snow will develop Thursday night, before tapering off to snow showers during the day Friday. A second storm will bring periods of moderate to heavy snow to the region late Friday and Friday night. Williams can expect 8- to 16-inches over the period with Flagstaff expecting 12- to 24-inches.

Snow is expected to start tonight. Thursday there is an 80% chance of snow with up to ten-inches accumulation overnight. Winds of up to 22-mph with gusts up to 37. On Friday winds will be 15 to 17-mph with gust up to 32. There is a 60% chance of 2- to 4-inches during the day with a 90% chance overnight with new snow accumulation of 6- to 10-inches possible. Saturday during the day might leave another 1- to 3-inches as snow and winds begin to lessen. The chance of snow will continue through Tuesday.

The temperatures will remain in the low-30s throughout the period dropping to the 20s overnight.

Snow through Monday

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Grand Canyon Railway train backs in to load passengers against a backdrop of fog.

WILLIAMS – A thin veil of fog covered Williams this morning. Visibility is still good. Snow and rain expected today through tomorrow. It will clear up Tuesday and Wednesday returning Thursday through next weekend.

There is a 60% chance of rain and snow throughout the day. 50% chance tonight dropping to 10% over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. A reminder that all offices are closed for the day.

The weather is expected to clear Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday the chance of snow returns and continues throughout next weekend.

Williams responds to overturned semi on I-40

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WILLIAMS – Williams first responders responded to an overturned semi-truck on I-40 about five-miles east of Williams about 9:10 a.m. The multi-agency response also consisted of Arizona Department of Public Safety, Lifeline ambulance and animal control from Flagstaff.

A semi-truck with a load of chicken overturned on I-40 westbound about five-miles west of Williams landing approximately 130-feet off of the freeway. The driver suffered minor lacerations to the face and was transported by Lifeline Ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Facility.

The driver had five Chihuahuas in the cab which appear to have not been injured. The report is three Chihuahua adults and two pups. A team from Flagstaff was dispatched to take care of the dogs.

Williams council meeting tomorrow, January 12

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WILLIAMS – The Williams City Council meets in regular session tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the council chambers at 113 South First Street.

After the standard pledge, invocation and approval of the last minutes, there will be any scheduled presentations and public participation.

The main items under consideration are;

  1. Review and consider the Coconino County amended Ordinance regarding the addition of Vapor products (e-cigarette) regulating the placement, Storage and Display of Tobacco Products and Vending Machines that dispense Tobacco Products. (Limiting youth access to tobacco and vapor products in Coconino County)
  2. Discussion and possible approval of a contract with Hazen & Sawyer Engineers to perform grant funded water conservation study to improve utility processes.
  3. Discussion and possible decision of a financing agreement with APS for the Garland Prairie Electric Project.

Afterward the council will adjourn to Executive Session and re-convene if necessary.