Monthly Archives: July 2016

Paving work on westbound Interstate 40 to continue near Flagstaff

Posted on by

FLAGSTAFF — Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) crews continue with paving operations on Interstate 40 near Flagstaff, Monday through Wednesday (August 1-3). A right-lane restriction and reduced speeds will be in place during construction from 4 a.m. to noon at the following locations:

Monday – Eastbound I-40 from I-17 Junction to Butler Avenue (milepost 196-197)
Tuesday – Westbound from Flagstaff Ranch Road to I-17 Junction (milepost 196-195)
Wednesday – Eastbound I-40 from I-17 Junction to Butler Avenue (milepost 196-197)

During construction there will be lane closures and reduced speed in the construction zone.

New pavement project scheduled on SR 69 between SR 169 and Mendecino Drive in Prescott Valley

Posted on by

PRESCOTT VALLEY — State Route 69 in Prescott Valley between State Route 169 and Mendecino Drive (mileposts 281 to 287) will be an active work zone at night starting Sunday (July 31).

This $3.8 million project consists of new asphalt, guardrail replacements, new curbs and gutters, sidewalks, sidewalks ramps, new striping and other miscellaneous work.

Work hours are Sunday through Thursday nights between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. each day. Minimal delays are expected this coming week as crews will be working on sidewalk and other concrete structures at the intersections.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov or call 511.

Jon Paxton takes over as Community Programs Planner

Posted on by

PaxtonFLAGSTAFF — We are pleased to announce that beginning August 1, 2016 Jon Paxton will be assuming the position of Community Programs Planner for the Coconino County Sheriff’s. “Jon brings a lot of experience and positive energy to this position,” said Sheriff Bill Pribil. “We think he is a great match for our community and volunteer programs.”

Jon retired from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office in December 2015 after serving 24 years in patrol. Jon has always been recognized by this agency as being the model Community Deputy in his ability to relate to people, his de-escalation skills, for being a be a liaison for the community, and for living the mission of service to community. While his new role will be in a non-sworn capacity, his experiences from his many years of law enforcement and community service will definitely benefit the position.

Jon graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy in Dec 1991. In the early 1990’s, Deputies often were introduced to their career by beginning their assignment in our Detention Facility in managing inmates. In 1992, he moved to a field patrol position and was assigned as the Community Deputy for the Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon patrol district. He immediately established rapport with the community was unofficially, but affectionately known as the “Mayor of Oak Creek.”

Being the local deputy for Sedona and Oak Creek was no simple task. Oak Creek Canyon and the Sedona area receive over 3-4 million visitors a year. Jon’s skills in keeping the peace and reducing the impact of crime in Oak Creek are a testament of his great people skills. It was not uncommon for him to be the first Search and Rescue responder on scene and single handedly hike people safely out of their circumstances in the middle of the night.

In 2000 Jon graduated from the Basic Mounted Police School and became a leader in our Mounted Unit. He often rode Filly, a much loved mule, and participated in parades; mounted color guard; Search and Rescue; forest patrols for marijuana eradication; security patrols at the County Fair, rodeos, horse races, downtown events; valley bowl games; and for public relation events. He became a trainer for the Mounted Unit Academy.

Jon Paxton is the recipient of several awards, including the Fraternal Order of Police Officer of Year in 1991, Sheriff’s Office Achievement Award in 2003 for community policing, Elks Lodge #2291 Officer of the Year award in 2003, National Public Service Award 2003 for the Mounted Unit, CCSO Achievement Award in 2006 for his leadership during the Brins Fire in Oak Creek Canyon, and another National Public Service Award in 2015.

Jon Paxton was selected from a pool of over 30 applicants and competed with five others who were brought in for the interview, testing, and community forum process. He will be filling the Community Programs Planner position left vacant after the May 2016 retirement of Gerry Blair.

Jon will be responsible for the following programs: Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Teams, Citizens Police Academy, Volunteers in Policing, Woods Watch, our agencies presence at fairs and exhibitions, and other public and community outreach still to come. Please help us welcome Jon Paxton.

Lightning-caused Coco Fire increases to 731

Posted on by

TUSAYAN — The lightning-caused Coco Fire on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has grown to 731 acres in size achieving resource objectives by reducing hazardous fuel accumulations and restoring overall forest health.

Fire crews worked late the previous shift completing management ignitions along Forest Road 2719 in order to keep the fire within planning area boundaries and protect fire sensitive archaeological sites. Smoke from the management ignitions was transported west along Coconino Wash into the town of Tusayan resulting in moderate impacts in the early morning but will disperse throughout the day.

“We are very pleased with the fire progression and allowing fire to resume its role in the ecosystem. The natural mosaic of fire effects resulting from the fire growth enhances the heterogeneity and resilience of the forest” stated Incident Commander Dan Pearson.

The Arizona Trail remains open to hikers. As this lightning-caused fire continues to grow naturally, it is likely that smoke will remain visible from Highway 64, Grand Canyon National Park’s Desert View Drive, and other populated areas. The current forecast predicts light and variable winds over the Coco Fire for the next several days which may result in more variable smoke dispersion until moisture moves into Northern Arizona this weekend.

ADOT, Jared Veldheer partner to promote “Seat belts. For life.” campaign

Posted on by

Consider that the safety gear worn by football players has the same purpose as a seat belt – help the wearer survive a violent collision.

So, it’s no surprise that the Arizona Department of Transportation and Arizona Cardinals left tackle and Captain Jared Veldheer have partnered to promote the importance of wearing a seat belt with the Seat belts. For life. campaign. On Arizona roadways in 2015, there were 258 unrestrained occupant fatalities, which accounts for 29 percent of the people killed in traffic crashes that year. Lack of seat belt use is annually one of the leading factors in traffic deaths.

“I wouldn’t play football without wearing a helmet and shoulder pads, and I won’t drive my truck without wearing a seat belt,” Veldheer said. “Being safe is being smart.”

For the Seat belts. For life. campaign, two public service announcements were produced – “Strong Man” and “Safety Gear” – and each has a 30- and 15-second version. The PSAs can be viewed at azdot.gov, ADOT’s social media channels – Facebook, Twitter and YouTube – and will also appear on television during the fall, thanks to ADOT’s relationship with the Arizona Broadcasters Association.

ADOT is excited to partner with Veldheer and thanks him for volunteering his time for the Seat belts. For life. campaign. Working with the seven-year NFL pro on the subject of seat belts is a natural fit. His left tackle position protects the quarterback’s blind side the same way a seat belt provides security against the unknown for vehicle occupants. In the past five years on Arizona roadways, there have been 1,205 unrestrained occupant fatalities.

“Buckling a seat belt is the easiest thing to do when you get in a car,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Its sole purpose is to help you survive a crash. Let the seat belt do its job – buckle up.”

“More than one in 10 Arizonans don’t wear a seat belt,” added Alberto Gutier, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “Needless tragedies continue because people aren’t wearing a seat belt and parents need to make sure their children are properly restrained, too.”

Meetings kicking off I-11 corridor study draw big turnout

Posted on by

PHOENIX — The numbers speak volumes about Arizona’s interest in the proposed Interstate 11: Six public meetings held recently attracted 540 community members who shared comments and questions. Hundreds more offered their perspectives online.
800-i-11-NAFTA
The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Interstate 11 study team visited Casa Grande, Buckeye, Nogales, Tucson, Marana and Wickenburg to involve the community in a process known as public scoping, part of an environmental study to select a corridor alternative between Nogales and Wickenburg.

That had ADOT representatives answering questions, receiving feedback, and encouraging attendees to mark suggestions and concerns on maps of the 280-mile-long corridor study area.

“We’re excited about the high level of interest and engagement that we’ve seen,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “The great turnout and the opportunity for the public to tell us what’s important to them are critical to this process.”

No specific routes for I-11 have been chosen or favored at this early stage in the process. ADOT’s goal is having a selected corridor alternative in place at the end of the environmental study. A no-build alternative will be considered as well.

The next formal public involvement opportunity will begin early next year, when the study team will present possible routes for I-11.

In addition to those who attended the June meetings, 125 people submitted comment forms or surveys and 522 people completed an online survey during a 45-day comment period.

The study team, which also held scoping meetings in Phoenix, Casa Grande and Tucson with representatives of 21 federal, state and local agencies, will now analyze the feedback.

Anyone interested in sharing their views about the study can do so at any time throughout the study process. Information and materials, including a map of the corridor study area, are available at i11study.com/Arizona.

Comments can be provided via mail, email and voicemail:

Email: I-11ADOTStudy@hdrinc.com
Toll-free bilingual telephone hotline: 1-844-544-8049
Mail:

Interstate 11 Tier 1 EIS Study Team
c/o ADOT Communications
1655 W. Jackson St., Mail Drop 126F
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Williams Ranger District announces plans to begin fall prescribed burning

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — Fire managers on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest have completed plans for the 2016 fall and 2017 spring prescribed fire burning seasons and are planning to begin working as early as mid-August on several projects. The specific units to be ignited will be chosen based on fuel moistures and weather conditions that are within prescriptive levels that meet fuels reduction objectives.

The flowing project areas are planned for treatments:

Green Base Dry Lake Project: Ten burn units northeast of Williams, approximately 9,040 acres.
Green Base Parks West Project: Four burn units east of Williams, approximately 5,141 acres.
McCracken East Project: Two burn units south of Williams, approximately 839 acres.
McCracken West Prescribed Fire: Four burn units south of Williams, approximately 1,693 acres.
Kendrick Prescribed Fire: Six burn units northeast of Williams approximately 2,497 acres.
Fall-burn-image
Fire plays a beneficial role in maintaining the ecological stability of many landscapes including the Kaibab National Forest. Managers use prescribed fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic wildfires that can pose significant threats to public health and safety.

Officials recognize that impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke more effectively using prescribed methods than in an uncontrolled wildfire situation. Furthermore, fire managers will remain cognizant of wind direction and ventilation with the intent to minimize smoke impacts to businesses and residences.

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.

Changing weather influences growth patterns on Sunflower and Ike fires

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — The two fires being allowed to spread in a natural setting on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are growing slowly but steadily as weather conditions and precipitation levels fluctuate daily.

“The varying weather trends we are experiencing at this time on the Sunflower and Ike fires are influencing a combination of fire severity and intensities which result in a wide range of natural effects to forest vegetation” said Williams District Ranger Danelle D. Harrison. “Although the rate of fire spread is presently low, an increase in fire behavior can occur quickly within a day or two as weather dries out. This will create a desired mosaic pattern which will largely improve forest health meeting our objectives.”

Fire managers expect that both fires will continue growing following this current trend and will likely burn for an extended period of time with weather being the predominant factor influencing duration.

Crews are actively taking actions to protect structures, private inholdings, sensitive archeological sites, range fences, power lines, and wildlife habitats before the fire approaches these values at risk. Tasks include removing burnable material away from these locations and constructing fire break control lines to secure sensitive features within the planning area.

A Forest Area Closure Order [#07-16-09-F (PDF)] remains in effect in the vicinity of the fire that includes the following areas: North of Forest Roads (FR) 110 and 109, East of FR 747 and Big Spring Wash, then South of FR 139 and West of FR 109.

Smoke will be noticeable at times and may periodically impact nearby communities that include Williams, Parks, Bellemont, Sherwood Forest, Pittman Valley, Chino Valley, Paulden, Prescott, Camp Verde, Flagstaff and Sedona. Monitoring smoke production will remain a top priority for fire managers who will adjust actions to alleviate impacts to effected communities.

Fire restrictions to be lifted tomorrow on North Kaibab Ranger District

Posted on by

WILLIAMS — Due to the decreasing risk of fire danger, the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest will lift campfire and smoking restrictions, also known as Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, at 8 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, July 27).

To date, many areas of the district have received the adequate amount of precipitation needed to warrant conditions being lifted. However, visitors are always expected to use caution with campfires and other potential ignition sources.

“Although not widespread, we’ve had wetting rain events over the past week throughout portions of the Kaibab Plateau,” said North Zone Fuels Specialist Dave Robinson. “So we urge our forest visitors to remain vigilant and utilize proper campfire safety techniques and precautions – drown and stir until the campfire is cold to the touch.”

The Kaibab National Forest is committed to educating visitors about camping responsibly and being fire safe. Never leave a campfire unattended, even for a few minutes. Additional tips on camping responsibly are available at www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/responsible-recreation, which include answering nature’s call, being fire safe, avoiding interaction with wildlife, and respecting and protecting archaeological sites so that our National Forest and grasslands may be enjoyed for future generations.

Coco fire grows to 35 acres

Posted on by

TUSAYAN — The Coco fire grew to 35-acres and forest crews are burning for suppression. Crews finished burning along Forest Road 2719 yesterday to prevent the fire from spreading.

Today, firefighters will continue by burning along approximately 2 miles of the Arizona Trail from Watson Trick Tank to Forest Road 303. This work will reduce any potential for high intensity fire and improve safety to users of the trail.

The Arizona Trail will be open to hikers, however, it is advised to use caution as there will be some smoke in the area. The winds today will be out of the northeast and smoke is expected to be visible from Highway 64 and the Grand Canyon East Rim Drive as well as from the town of Valle.