Monthly Archives: August 2019

Flagstaff area drivers should plan for overnight closures of McConnell Drive under Interstate 17

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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation advises Flagstaff drivers who use McConnell Drive to plan for a full overnight road closure next week beginning tonight, while crews continue work to replace the McConnell Bridge on I-17/SR 89A.

McConnell Drive under I-17 will be closed in both directions nightly from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., beginning Monday, August 19,through the morning of Friday, August 23.

Motorists should follow signed detour routes and plan for travel delays.

The project involves a full bridge deck replacement, bridge widening and sidewalk construction on the north side of McConnell Drive and is scheduled in three phases over two years with completion scheduled for fall 2020.

Seeking Public Information Regarding Two Investigations

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FLAGSTAFF – On Saturday, August 17, 2019 Deputies responded to the area of Hwy 89A near milepost 389, the area commonly referred to as the switchbacks of Oak Creek Canyon, for a report of a recovered stolen vehicle. That same day Detectives responded to a deceased elderly male near the area the vehicle was located. Detectives are working to identify the deceased male.

At this point in the investigations, it is unknown if the two are connected. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from the public that may assist in the investigations.

The vehicle is described as a 2006 Silver Hyundai Sonata passenger car with an Arizona State flag front license plate. A photograph of the actual vehicle is attached to this release.

The Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone who traveled Hwy89A between Sedona and Flagstaff Friday night through Saturday morning to please contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 928-226-5087.

Due to the ongoing investigations, no further details are available at this time.

Fatality at Wahweap Marina near Page Arizona

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PAGE – National Park Service (NPS) Dispatch at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area received a call from 911 at approximately7:58 p.m. on Sunday, August 18 and dispatched rangers to the Lake Powell Resort’s main marina in the Wahweap District of the park, near Page, Arizona. It was reported a male had jumped in the water near slip F-3and had not resurfaced.

NPS Rangers arrived on scene and the victim appeared to be ensnarled in wires and cables at a depth of 20 to 30 feet. Due to safety concerns recovery was suspended until daylight hours today.

The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Dive Team recovered the victim at 10:53 a.m. at a depth of 249 feet. Jacob Jessop, a 31-year-old male from Colorado City, Arizona was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Coconino County Medical Examiner and transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Flagstaff for an autopsy. Assisting were NPS Rangers,the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Dive Team and Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident is under investigation by the National Park Service, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, and the Coconino County Medical Examiner. Visitors are reminded about the dangers of swimming in marinas which has led to that activity being prohibited.

First cemetery clean-up group small, but hard workers

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Mike and Tammy Diaz. Mike helped organize the clean-up.

WILLIAMS – When Mike Diaz called for a cemetary clean-up on Facebook, he got enough response to try to get a community clean-up of the Williams Cemetery on Route 66. The date was finally set for August 15 at 5 p.m.

Jana and Kimberly with the Women of Williams group who helped organize the clean-up.

The first group was small—about nine people—but they worked hard. Most worked in the old portion of the cemetery on the east side. The group collected about eight large bags of debris from the old cemetery. Some worked to repair some broken crosses on the old graves.

Connie and Robin work to fix a cross on one of the graves in the old cemetery.

There were some comments about the notice for the clean-up that expressed interest in another round of clean-up. It would help to have some more tools—notably weed-whackers—and some more hands. If there is interest in another round of clean-up, it could be organized for September. Anyone interested can email editor@northernarizonagazette.com.

Glen and Prince returned after several years to join the clean-up effort.

Castle Fire holding well within confinement lines

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FREDONIA — As hot and dry weather lingers, the Castle Fire is moving through areas of unburned islands of dead and down vegetation that has accumulated over the years. The Castle Fire has been burning with mostly low to moderate fire intensity but holding well within confinement lines. This type of fire behavior will result in improving forest health and wildlife habitat in that area while providing a barrier for future wildfires.

Fire managers on the Type 3 Incident Management Team are anticipating stronger winds today and will closely monitor the Castle Fire to ensure confinement lines remain secure. Crews will continue patrolling the fire daily, performing hazard tree removal, and light rehab work.

Smoke from the Castle Fire has gradually begun to decrease and will continue to decrease each day into the coming weeks or until a wetting rain event occurs. During the peak burning period, which is mid-day to late afternoon, smoke may be visible from surrounding communities and is expected to settle in the valleys during early morning and late evenings then clearing out by mid-morning.

For local air quality and related information, please visit the following websites: www.airnow.gov or the Smoke Management Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Please visit InciWeb for more information on the Castle Fire and other fires in the area.

Soon after the Castle Fire started on July 12th, fire managers pre-identified the 19,632-acre planning area where the lightning-caused wildfire would be allowed to fulfill its natural role within a fire-dependent ecosystem. Better mapping of the pre-identified planning area has indicated a decrease in acreage from 19,632 to 19,368. The fire has burned through 96% of the planning area, burning through a significant amount of dead and down trees and some mixed conifer species. By allowing the wildfire to naturally burn through this area, the ecosystem will become healthier and more resilient.

A Closure Order remains in effect for the Castle Fire area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/

Ikes Fire Moves Across Landscape As Containment Increases

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GRAND CANYON – The Ikes Fire is approximately 3,289 acres, 42% contained, and has 89 resources assigned. The natural caused lightning fire is being utilized to fulfill its natural role within a fire-dependent ecosystem. Due to the absence of fire for nearly two decades in the northeast corner of the planning area, there is a heavy accumulation of dead and down forest debris and pine litter. Fire will help to reduce forest litter and burn off excess vegetation, promoting new plant growth and strengthening wildlife habitat. The lightning-caused wildfire is actively burning within a 7,785-acre planning area.

Yesterday crews made progress with firing operations as weather conditions remained favorable. Work on the northeast corner and eastern boundary of the planning area has been completed. Today firefighters will continue to strengthen and improve containment lines along the northern border heading west towards Fire Point. Firing operations are weather dependent and may not occur as strong winds are expected. The Type 3 Incident Management Team will continue to evaluate weather conditions and monitor fire behavior to meet incident objectives while providing for firefighter and public safety.

The predicted weather is mostly sunny with clouds in the afternoon. Expect very dry and breezy conditions with wind gusts up to 22 mph. Precipitation is not forecasted as we move into the weekend. Expect to see smoke from multiple fires within the area surrounding the Grand Canyon from both the North and South Rims. Smoke has settled into the canyon overnight due to cooler temperatures but is expected to lift out as the day temperatures become warmer.

Closures remain in effect for Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest. More information on closures can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6475/.

The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.

Museum Fire shows smoke, poses no threat

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Coconino National Forest photo

FLAGSTAFF – The current hot and dry weather that Northern Arizona is experiencing, coupled with the below average monsoonal moisture, is causing some areas of the Museum Fire to show increased fire activity and smoke.

The 1,961-acre fire remains at 100 percent containment and the fire activity is deep within the fire area and poses no threat to containment lines. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and is currently in patrol status with one engine and miscellaneous overhead assigned. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team continues implementation of the the recommendations to stabilize conditions in the fire area.

The mosaic burn pattern the Museum Fire exhibited across the landscape has left areas that did not burn at all. These aforementioned areas may begin to burn over the next few weeks or months. These interior islands pose no threat to the containment lines and may vary in size from a few square feet to an acre or two in size. Most of the time these areas burn with very low intensity but this can vary based on fuel loading, topography, and climatic conditions.

These areas are being monitored closely, but are not being suppressed due to their inaccessibility and the hazards associated with working for extended periods of time in remote post burn areas. These hazards include significant numbers of burned out trees, burning stump holes that may extend far beyond what is evident above ground, steep inaccessible terrain and rolling material.

The Museum Fire will continue to be monitored closely by firefighters to ensure that it remains safely within the containment lines.

Visitors to the Coconino National Forest are encouraged to know before you go by visiting Inciweb at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/6450/0/93533 to view a map of the Museum Fire Public Safety Closure area.

Bellemont Area Plan public hearing schedule announced

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FLAGSTAFF – A public hearing for the draft of the updated Bellemont Area Plan is scheduled with the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission. The public is invited to attend.

The Bellemont Area Plan is a land use planning document that will guide land use and development in Bellemont for the next 20 years. Over the past 24 months, a committee of Bellemont residents, property owners and business owners have worked to develop the draft plan. The public hearings will be an opportunity for the community to hear the details of the updated plan containing the vision for Bellemont’s future. People can learn about how the updated plan addresses goals and policies for land use, transportation, community services and other issues identified during the process. The public hearings provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the draft plan and its contents.

The Planning and Zoning Commission held its first hearing on June 26 and continued the item to August 28, 2019. The Board of Supervisors hearing will be scheduled after the Commission makes a recommendation.

For questions and to view the draft plan, visit the Planning and Zoning webpage at http://www.coconino.az.gov/1948/Long-Range-Planning.

Castle Fire now in hold and patrol stage

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FREDONIA — Operations have been successful in allowing the lightning caused Castle Fire to reduce accumulations of dead and down forest vegetation. This will contribute to a regeneration and renewal of this area, creating new habitat for wildlife while forming a buffer for larger fires that may occur in the future.

Three engines will focus on patrolling and ensuring the perimeter of the fire area is secure. Other firefighting personnel will continue identifying and removing hazard trees that could pose a risk. Fire managers are monitoring the Castle Fire from the air and ground. The Type 3 Incident Management Team with IC Brandon Allen could be in transition for at least a couple of days before transferring command of the Castle Fire to a smaller Type 4 Incident Management organization due to the anticipation of stronger winds in the forecast for Friday.

The Castle Fire will continue to generate smoke until a wetting rain occurs. Smoke will be visible from surrounding communities. Please see www.airnow.gov for local air quality conditions and related information.

Today, the weather forecast calls for mostly clear skies and no precipitation is expected. 15-25 mph winds are in the forecast for Friday. Smoke will be visible as fire behavior increases during the peak burning period which is mid-day to late afternoon.

Soon after the Castle Fire started on July 12th, fire managers pre-identified the 19,632-acre planning area where the lightning-caused wildfire would be allowed to fulfill its natural role within a fire-dependent ecosystem. Better mapping of the pre-identified planning area has indicated a decrease in acreage from 19,632 to 19,368. The fire has burned through 96% of the planning area, burning through a significant amount of dead and down trees and some mixed conifer species. By allowing the wildfire to naturally burn through this area, the ecosystem will become healthier and more resilient.

A Closure Order remains in effect for the Castle Fire area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/

Boulin Fire grows to 1155-acres

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WILLIAMS — Slightly warmer temperatures yesterday propelled the Boulin Fire on the Williams Ranger District to grow an additional 400 acres bringing the total size to 1155. Growth can be expected as weather conditions remain warm and dry.

Fire behavior continues to burn with a low to moderate intensity backing through grasses and ponderosa pine litter consuming dead and down fuels. Crews periodically ignite the edges of the containment lines to stay aligned with the fires natural progression. There have been no holding problems as the fire advances within the planning area.

A drone intrusion was averted, yesterday when fire officials received a report from an alert local resident who witnessed seeing an individual preparing to operate an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as “drones,” in the immediate fire area. Although no contact was made, it is critically important to remind people to avoid operating these type of aircraft anywhere near an active wildfire or prescribed fire to ensure the safety of firefighters and the effectiveness of operations.

“It may be hard for individuals who aren’t familiar with wildfire operations to understand why it’s so dangerous for them to fly a UAS over a wildfire,” said Jim Burton, Safety Officer on the Boulin Fire. “Firefighting aircraft typically fly in smoky, windy, and turbulent conditions. Safety depends on knowing what other aircraft are operating in the airspace and where they are at all times. This can be compromised by the presence of unauthorized aircraft, including UAS.”