Monthly Archives: August 2019

Museum Flood Sunnyside Area Open House

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County and the city of Flagstaff are hosting an Open House to answer resident’s questions about potential flooding due to the Museum Fire. The Open House will be at 5:30 p.m. August 5, 2019 in the parking lot of the Peak School campus on Spruce Avenue (2229 E Spruce Ave.).

The County’s Flood Control District and city of Flagstaff officials will be available to answer questions regarding flood risk, mitigation, flood insurance and public safety.

Spanish interpretation will be available at the meetings. American Sign Language Interpretation is available upon request. If people require this or other types of accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact the call center at 928-213-2990 by 10 a.m. on August 5.

To sign-up for emergency notifications, please go to coconino.az.gov/ready.

WHO: Residents and property owners with questions about potential flooding due to the Museum Fire.
WHAT: Museum Flood Sunnyside Area Open House
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Monday, August 5
WHERE: Peak School Campus on Spruce Avenue (2229 E Spruce Ave.)

Plan for daytime lane and ramp closures on Interstate 17 and Interstate 40 in Flagstaff August 6 – 9

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The Arizona Department of Transportation advises northern Arizona drivers to allow extra travel time and plan for daytime lane and ramp restrictions on Interstate 17 and Interstate 40 where the two freeways meet in Flagstaff Aug. 6 through Aug. 9 for painting and paving work.

Drivers should prepare for delays while the following restrictions are in place between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m.:

  • Tuesday, Aug. 6 through Friday, Aug. 9:
    • I-40 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction at the junction of I-17 (milepost 195).
    • The southbound I-17 to westbound I-40 ramp will be closed. DETOUR: Southbound I-17 traffic will continue to John Wesley Powell Boulevard and re-enter northbound I-17 to eastbound I-40 to exit at Butler Road and re-enter westbound I-40.
    • The southbound I-17 to eastbound I-40 ramp will be closed. DETOUR: Southbound I-17 traffic will continue to John Wesley Powell Boulevard and re-enter northbound I-17 to enter eastbound I-40.
    • The northbound I-17 to westbound I-40 ramp will be closed. DETOUR: Northbound I-17 traffic will enter eastbound I-40 to exit at Butler Road and re-enter westbound I-40.

These closures are necessary for crews to complete final paving work after replacing four bridge decks at the I-17 and I-40 junction last year.

Motorists should allow extra travel time and use caution around construction personnel and equipment while paving is underway.

Risk of post-fire flooding as Museum Fire nears full containment

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FLAGSTAFF – Containment of the 1,961-acre Museum Fire increased to 91 percent yesterday, with high humidity decreasing fire behavior within the perimeter. The cause is still under investigation.

Resources assigned to the fire include: 4 hotshot crews; 1 Type 2 hand crew; 2 helicopters; 5 engines; and, 1 dozer.

Yesterday, firefighters completed chipping operations along Forest Road 789 as a part of suppression repair efforts. Chipping operations will continue today near Shultz Tank. Crews are working with heavy equipment to stabilize roads in the fire area and will continue to patrol and hold the containment line, cooling hot spots as necessary.

The potential for strong thunderstorms exists through Friday. Understand that all drainages within and downstream of the burned area can produce flash flooding. Flash floods can occur even though it is not raining where you are – it may be raining hard further upstream.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is evaluating watershed conditions to determine the level of potential risks on National Forest System lands to human life, safety, property, critical natural and cultural resources, and determine appropriate and effective emergency stabilization measures to reduce unacceptable risks from potential flooding and debris flow. A BAER team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area. BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals who can prescribe emergency response actions that can be implemented quickly and effectively.

Today, the BAER Team will complete their risk assessment for BAER critical values. This risk assessment will be used to develop treatment recommendations for land managers.

Prior to visiting the Coconino National Forest, be sure to view the map of the Museum Fire Public Safety closure area. Detailed information and a map are available on Inciweb at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/6450/0/93533.

The Museum Fire Information phone line remains open from 8 AM to 6 PM at 928-288-2484. Information is also available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/museumfireinfo and Twitter @MuseumFireInfo.