Daily Archives: September 5, 2019

Lightning Caused Wildfire on Sitgreaves Mountain Being Monitored

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WILLIAMS – A recent lightning strike on the upper third of the northeast slope of Sitgreaves Mountain is showing a plume of smoke and is visible from the communities of Spring Valley, Bellemont, and Parks. The “Rock Fire” is just over half an acre in size and is burning within the Eagle Rock Fire burn scar of 2010. The fire is located in steep terrain and has been receiving intermittent moisture since it was discovered on Sunday September 1.

Due to its location, Kaibab National Forest Managers have decided to avoid exposing firefighters to the difficult topography and high volume of snags in the area. This incident will be monitored from road systems around the base of the mountain and periodically by aircraft. There is no danger or threat to private property or residences. Firefighters will be on scene daily to observe behavior and plan for future actions as the fire moves naturally on the terrain.

Weather forecasts are predicting more isolated thunderstorms over the area for the week ahead which may influence fire behavior and visibility.

Additional information about the Rock fire will become available as the situation develops.

Information about other fires and the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

· InciWeb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
· Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

Public Notice of First Responder Exercise at Cromer School

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FLAGSTAFF – On Friday September 6th, 2019 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a Critical Incident Response Drill at Cromer School in the Doney Park area. The drill will occur between 5 pm – 9 pm and will involve personnel from Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Flagstaff Fire Department, Guardian Medical Transport, Flagstaff School District, National Park Service “Walnut Canyon “ and Summit Fire District.

We want residents to be aware that this training will result in increased police and fire activity in the area. The training will be a reality-based exercise to provide first responders an opportunity to practice integrated response to critical incidents.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Cromer School for providing the venue for this training.

Precautions recommended to prevent rabies

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) has received several reports of potential and confirmed human and domestic animal exposures to rabid wildlife.

A recent confirmed exposure occurred near Jacob Lake southeast of Fredonia, Arizona. An individual and a dog encountered a bat that subsequently tested positive for rabies. The individual is receiving rabies prophylaxis treatment and the vaccinated dog has been placed in a 10-day at-home quarantine for observation.

A potential rabies exposure occurred in a Flagstaff neighborhood where two dogs interacted with a dead skunk found in the dogs’ pen. As a result, the skunk is being tested for rabies to confirm if the dogs were exposed to the rabies virus. Test results are pending.

An additional potential exposure involved a Flagstaff resident and two cats that were exposed to a bat suspected to have rabies. Test results in this case are also pending.

CCHHS is reminding individuals to use caution to protect against rabies exposure when hiking, camping or in situation where wildlife may be present. Health officials recommend the following precautions to protect against rabies:

  • Avoid wildlife, especially those exhibiting unusual wildlife behaviors which can include; showing no fear of humans, aggressive behavior, staggering and/or acting sickly, and nocturnal mammals active during daytime.
  • Keep all pets current on vaccinations and obey leash laws.
  • Always keep pets away from wild animals.
  • Never pick up, touch, or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, even if they do not appear sick or aggressive.
  • Report any wild animals exhibiting erratic or aggressive behavior.
  • Seek immediate medical attention if bitten by or when there is direct contact with a wild animal.
  • Pet owners should seek medical care from their veterinarian if their pet is bitten by wildlife.

Rabies is a virus spread by the bite of an infected animal or direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal (such as via a scratch or tear in the skin). In Arizona, bats, skunks, and foxes are the main animal sources of rabies. Rabies causes severe damage to the central nervous system and usually leads to death once symptoms appear. However, effects of the virus are preventable if proper medical treatment is obtained within the proper timeframe.

Human exposures to rabid animals are usually rare, but domestic animals, such as cats and dogs often come into contact with wild animals and are at an increased risk. Routine rabies vaccination will help protect your pet against rabies.

Interactions with a bat or a bat found in a home should be reported to the Coconino County Health and Human Services Animal Management Program at 928-679-8756. Unusual wildlife sightings or behavior should also be reported. To report an emergency involving wildlife, call 911.

For more information on rabies visit www.azhealth.gov/rabies.

Kaibab National Forest to offer firewood permits in Navajo and Hopi communities

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TUSAYAN — The Kaibab National Forest will offer free-use, paid personal-use and ceremonial firewood permits for the Tusayan Ranger District at a variety of locations in Navajo and Hopi communities over the next two months. These opportunities are part of the Kaibab National Forest’s ongoing effort to increase access to firewood for tribal members and communities.

Kaibab National Forest representatives will offer firewood permits on the specified days and times and at the following locations:

  • Friday, Sept. 13 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Tuba City, Flea Market
  • Saturday, Sept. 28 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Cameron, Cameron Celebration
  • Friday, Oct. 4 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. MST – Kykotsmovi Village, Honahnie Building
  • Friday, Oct. 18 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Tuba City, Flea Market
  • Saturday, Oct. 26 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Cameron, Chapter House

A permit must be acquired by anyone harvesting firewood on the Kaibab National Forest. The 2019 firewood season runs from May 1 to December 31 for the Tusayan Ranger District.

Each person, with proper identification, may obtain permits for up to 30 cords per season of combined paid-use and free-use firewood. Individuals may purchase up to two 10-cord paid-use firewood permits at a rate of $2 per cord, and may obtain one 10-cord free-use firewood permit. Ceremonial-use permits are also available, which authorize collection of two cords per individual.

The Kaibab National Forest has increased the amount of wood available to each person for purchase while reducing the cost per cord by crediting firewood cutting for the contribution it provides to forest restoration goals. By removing dead and down as well as small-diameter trees, firewood cutting can help improve forest health and reduce the risk of unnaturally severe wildfire.

It is important that a permit be acquired even for free-use areas because by tracking public demand for the various kinds of permits, the amount of wood removed, and other factors, forest managers are better able to plan for the future needs of firewood collectors and provide greater opportunities for accessing these important resources. Firewood from the Kaibab National Forest is frequently used by local community and tribal members for home heating, cooking and other critical purposes.

All firewood permits issued by the Kaibab National Forest will include a map and detailed cutting regulations as well as load tags, which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The goal of this load tagging system is to ensure accountability for the amount of wood removed from the forest and to inform planning for future firewood cutting areas to meet public need and forest restoration objectives.

The removal of firewood is permitted only from National Forest lands on the specific district for which the permit is issued. Firewood cutters are reminded to take note of property boundaries and cut only on National Forest lands.

Detailed firewood cutting information and maps are available on the Kaibab National Forest website at http://bit.ly/KNFfuelwood.

Kaibab National Forest information is also available through the following sources:

  • Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
  • Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

Honor Flight Arizona Fall 2019 Flight Season Begins

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PHOENIX – On Tuesday, September 3, Honor Flight Arizona begins the Fall season of veteran flights to Washington, D.C. from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. This will be the first of five Honor Flight trips for northern and central Arizona this Fall. Vietnam War Veterans will begin joining WWII and Korean War Veterans on the October 15th Honor Flight.

Honor Flights for the Fall season will occur on these dates:

· September 17-19
· October 1-3
· October 15-17
· October 22-24

Honor Flight Arizona took its first flight of 11 WWII Veterans in November 2009, and has now flown more than 1,700 WWII Veterans, and 500 Korean War Veterans. Trips have also included a total of 1,500 guardians. We have a base of 50-60 active volunteers. We encourage veterans from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to sign up for their no-cost Honor Flight. For many, this is the trip of a lifetime.

We thank Southwest Airlines, who is one of our major sponsors, and their employees. They continue to make sure everything is ready to greet the veterans and get them checked in. In addition, TSA employees compassionately process our veterans through security (since some of the veterans have not flown in many decades).

On every trip, there have been so many handshakes, hugs, kisses, and “Thank you for your service,” and “Welcome Home” comments along the way. It all makes a huge difference in the lives of our veterans. Many veterans do not like to be called heroes – they will say that title is for those who did not make it home. But, because of all they sacrificed and endured, heroes are indeed what they are.

Vietnam War Veterans have waited patiently for their Honor Flight call-up in Arizona. Robert Krug, Honor Flight Arizona Vice-President, announces, “We are glad to say ‘Welcome Home’ to our Vietnam War Veterans. Welcome to Honor Flight. It will be a privilege flying with you.”

Eden Fire allowed to burn near Clints Well

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CLINTS WELL, – A lightning-caused wildfire about 4 miles northeast of Clints Well that began last week is currently being used to clean up forest fuels and burn across the landscape for restoration efforts.

The Eden Fire was reported by the Hutch Mountain lookout just after noon on August 29 and is currently 375 acres, producing light to moderate smoke.

Coconino National Forest Map

Because of low humidity and low fuel moisture, the fire has continued to burn actively since its discovery. The fire was being monitored for several days before determining it would be allowed to burn and remove hazardous fuels left from years of previous fires and debris buildup.
The fuel buildup is currently burning on steep slopes in the Lost Eden Tank area in Ponderosa Pine and grass understory within heavy dead and down trees, as well as standing dead trees. Firefighters have used burnout operations for the last several days to establish fire control lines away from the main fire. These standoff tactics are used to maximize successful restoration and minimize the risk to firefighters and public.

Today, firefighters plan to continue reinforcing and constructing control lines where necessary, as well as conduct burnout operations throughout the next several operational periods.

Large amounts of smoke will be in the area over the next few weeks,as the fire continues to consume pockets of previously unburned forest fuels well within the established 19,885 acres fire boundary.

Firefighters, along with various resource specialists, will continue to evaluate risks to property and implement appropriate suppression measures.

The public should use caution when recreating or hunting near the fire area due to hazardous fire-weakened trees, burning stump holes and fire personnel working in the area.

Updates about the Eden Fire can be found on Inciweb. Follow the Coconino National Forest’s social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, to get timely updates on this fire, other incidents, and forest-wide activities.

Lava River Cave closed Friday, Saturday

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FLAGSTAFF – Flagstaff Ranger District is closing the Lava River Cave Friday and Saturday September 6 and 7 to use several pieces of heavy equipment at the location as it continues an improvement construction project approximately 15 miles northwest of Flagstaff.

The entrance to Lava River Cave. The short, steep descent into the cave is rocky. A short distance past the entrance the cave is completely dark. Lava River Cave, 14 miles northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona, is a mile-long lava tube cave was formed roughly 700,000 years ago by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent in nearby Hart Prairie. The top, sides and bottom of the flow cooled and solidified first, after which the insides of the lava river continued to flow emptying out the present cave. – Photo by Brady Smith, August 19, 2015. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.

The improvement work is part of a larger effort to provide better visitor services to meet the demand at this popular destination. The project includes parking improvements, vault toilet installation, new trail access and installation of new informational kiosks. Other site closures may be necessary in the future to facilitate the work, but the cave will open Sunday, September 8.

For questions on this project, please call Patrick McGervey at (928) 527-3234.