Daily Archives: December 9, 2015

Tusayan Ranger District Conducts Russell Prescribed Fire

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TUSAYAN — Fire managers for the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest started treatment on the 475-acre Russell Prescribed Fire this morning. The Russell fire boundaries are located near Forest Road 311 and 311A to the west, and Forest Road 310RC to the east. A portion of the Arizona Trail is also within the prescribed fire area. That particular section of the trail will remain open, but visitors should exercise caution when traveling through the area.

A request to burn an additional 475-acres has also been submitted to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and could potentially take place tomorrow in an area adjacent to today’s prescribed burn.

During prescribed fires, community members and visitors may see fire personnel and vehicles in the vicinity. There are no smoke impacts anticipated for Highway 64, the Grand Canyon or the town of Tusayan. Smoke is expected to be carried out to the northeast due to prevailing winds from the southwest.

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

Additional information, photos and maps are available through the following resources: InciWeb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4113/; Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.

Proposed Arizona State Implementation Plan Revision Rescinding Outdated Provisions to Update the State Plan

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) opens a 30-day public comment period today, December 9, 2015, for a proposed revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP). This SIP revision updates the SIP by removing state statutory provisions, administrative and prohibitory rules, and test methods that have been identified as outdated, irrelevant, or previously repealed.

A public hearing will be held on Monday, January 11, 2016, at 9:00 AM in the ADEQ Building, Conference Room 3100A, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007. All interested parties will be given an opportunity to submit their comments, data, and views both verbally and in writing. Written comments shall state the name and mailing address of the person, be signed by the person, their agent or attorney, and clearly set forth reasons why the SIP revision should or should not be finalized. To request an auxiliary aid or service for accessible communication, please contact ADEQ’s Human Potential Office Department at (602) 771-4791 or at HPO_AZDEQ@azdeq.gov or dial 7-1-1 for TTY/TTD Services.

If you are unable to attend the public hearing, your written comments should be addressed, faxed, or e-mailed to Justine E. Miller, miller.justine@azdeq.gov, (602) 771-6723, Air Quality Division, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007. All comments must be received by January 11, 2016, at 5:00PM.

Copies of the revisions’ proposal are available for review, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., in the ADEQ Records Center, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007, (602) 771-4712. The proposal can also be accessed through ADEQ’s Website (PDF). The final SIP revision will be submitted to EPA following consideration of all comments received during the public notice period.

2015 ‘No Burn’ Campaign Kicks Off

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no-burn_modPHOENIX — Officials from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) announced the kickoff of their annual Maricopa County ‘No Burn’ campaign.

Smoke from wood-burning fireplaces and chimineas during winter months poses a serious health threat to children with asthma, the elderly and those with respiratory issues. Smoke, which contains soot particles, can be absorbed into the blood stream and lessen lung function, exacerbate bronchitis and asthma and increase chances for heart attacks and premature death.

Left uncorrected, high levels of Particulate Matter-2.5 (PM 2.5) from smoke could cause Maricopa County to exceed the federal health standards, leading to more burdensome and costly federal regulation.

This is the third year of the ‘No Burn’ campaign and this past winter season was its most successful. For the first time in 11 years, Maricopa County residents benefited from no exceedances of the state and federal annual 24-hour health standard for PM 2.5, on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Maricopa County also met the annual federal health standard for PM 2.5.

“We want to thank the residents of Maricopa County for supporting last year’s ‘No Burn’ campaign, which allowed everyone to enjoy cleaner air,” Maricopa County Air Quality Director Philip McNeely said. “We must remain vigilante, however, because without voluntary compliance, there could be stricter regulations and stronger fines.”

This season, ADEQ and MCAQD are joined by nearly 100 partners and stakeholders including several cities, towns and county agencies, Bashas’ Family of Stores, Arizona Rock Products Association, and the Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors, all involved since the very beginning. This year, several new partners including the Arizona Association of Community Managers, the Better Business Bureau, Tonto National Forrest, and Lyft also are contributing to this worthy cause.

ADEQ Air Quality Division Director Eric Massey said, “Building on last year’s successful ‘No Burn” campaign, the focus for 2015 is strengthening and expanding our partners and leveraging technology to reach more Maricopa County residents than ever before using innovative and cost-effective ways.”

MCAQD issues no burn days throughout the winter season and asks county residents to refrain from lighting wood-burning fires on those designated days. To find out if it is a no burn day, visit CleanAirMakeMore.com, download the Clean Air Make More mobile app or call (602) 506-6400.

For more information, call Caroline Oppleman with ADEQ at (602) 771-2215 or Bob Huhn with MCAQD at (602) 506-6713.