Daily Archives: November 10, 2019

Bearizona Welcomes Vernon the Bald Eagle on Veterans Day

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WILLIAMS — Bearizona, a popular drive- and walk-through wildlife park devoted to providing homes to wild animals in need, is introducing its first bald eagle on Veterans Day. He was named Vernon by the winner of the company’s recent naming contest that reached over 30,000 animal lovers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and was shared 124 times in just 24 hours.

The contest called for all Bearizona fans and supporters to submit a name appropriate for such an incredible animal that represents the strength and freedom of America ahead of the national Veterans Day holiday. The winning name was chosen out of 850 fan entries and honors George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. Vernon is especially fitting since the first president of the United States and Bearizona’s first bald eagle were both from the great state of Virginia.

After he was seen fighting with another eagle in what was likely a territorial dispute and suffered injuries affecting his ability to fly, Vernon was rescued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department and made his way to multiple facilities over the last decade before finding his forever home at the Bearizona Wildlife Park, where he will have the space and care he needs to thrive.

“He’s very shy, but he loosens up after a few fish,” said Susan Davidson, founder of High Country Raptors. “The staff continues to learn more about him and his likes and dislikes every day, and we are doing our very best to keep Vernon feeling as comfortable and safe as possible in his new home.”

Visitors will be able to visit Vernon for the first time, along with the rest of the Bearizona residents, on Veterans Day, this Monday, Nov. 11. Free admission will be offered to all individuals currently serving in or who have honorably served in the U.S. military.

“Eagles are becoming more common here in Virginia and I see them a couple of times a month. My heart still jumps in excitement when I see one,” says contest winner, Laurinda Bowling of Bland, Virginia. According to Savannah Carleton, a second contest winner who chose the name Vernon, “Since the bald eagle is from Virginia, it seemed perfect for his name to be Vernon. But when I saw someone else had suggested it, I just decided to ‘second’ their vote. It’s always fun to participate and vote when an Arizona park gets a new member and the community gets a voice in the process.”

Tentative plans for prescribed burns next week

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burns next week in areas that will lessen smoke impacts to surrounding communities.These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.

The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order and may occur on days other than noted, depending on favorable weather conditions. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin at approximately 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.

Experimental Forest (Ft. Valley 1 & 4)

When: Tuesday (Nov. 12).
Where: Approximately 8 miles northwest of Flagstaff, near the Fort Valley Trailhead. GPS: 35.270153, -111.677685
Size: 302 acres total, in two burn blocks.
Duration: 1-day operation.
Method/Type of burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. The burn is an operation in partnership with the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Center, Northern Arizona University and the Ecological Research Institute to study the effects of consistent return intervals of low-intensity fire.
Smoke Impacts: With a westerly wind forecast, smoke should move northeast towards Schultz Pass. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, potentially impacting Doney Park, Baderville, Fort Valley, the U.S. Highway 180 corridor and Rio de Flag river drainage.
Closures/Restrictions: The Arizona National Scenic Trail will be rerouted during the burn operations for visitor’s safety.

Victorine

When: Tuesday-Thursday (Nov. 12-14).
Where: Approximately 6.5 miles southeast of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District office, west of Leonard Canyon. GPS: 34.540829, -111.104980
Size: 2,900 acres total. Daily acreage varies upon the conditions. Day 1 is planned for 600 acres.
Duration: This is a four-day burn operation.
Type of Burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. This burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, protect private property, benefit wildlife habitat and improve forest health.
Smoke Impacts: Daytime winds are forecast from the southwest. Smoke should lift and disperse toward the northeast of the project area during the day. Overnight smoke could settle in the local burn area, Blue Ridge communities, and will probably drain down East Clear Creek. Smoke may end up in the eastern side of the Verde Valley until daytime temperatures rise enough to lift the smoke into the transport winds.
Closures/Restrictions: None expected.
Additional Information: Each day the burn block will be ignited independently after the project’s burn prescription and smoke impacts are evaluated.

Maxwell Springs 1 & 2

When: Wednesday (Nov. 13).
Where: Five miles northwest of Flagstaff.

GPS: 35.250812, -111.824213 & 35.263236, -111.806195

Size: 833 acres total in two burn blocks.
Duration: One-day operation.
Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. These burns are located south of Wing Mountain and north of Bellemont.
Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, Interstate 40 and the west side of Flagstaff. This will likely impact Fort Valley, Snowbowl Ski Resort area and possibly U.S. Highway 180.
Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

Christmas tree permits on sale November 22

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will begin selling a limited number of over-the-counter Christmas tree permits to the public beginning Noember 22 (Friday) that will be good for cutting in designated areas of the Flagstaff and Mogollon Rim ranger districts until December 24.

A total of 1,200 permits will be available at $15 each, which can be paid for by cash, credit card, or personal check at the locations listed below. The permits will be issued one per household on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. Permits cannot be reserved. Last year permits sold fast, so the public is encouraged to purchase their permit as soon as possible beginning November 22.

This year, the Flagstaff Ranger Station will be selling 150 permits for Pinyon and Juniper trees within two designated Christmas tree cutting areas on the Flagstaff Ranger District, and 100 permits for Fir, Pinyon Pine, or Ponderosa Pine trees within the three designated areas of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. A map will be provided with each permit as well as the stipulations and limitations regarding the size of tree that can be cut. This office is not open on November 23 or 24 (Saturday and Sunday).

The Mogollon Rim Ranger Station will have 550 permits for sale for areas within the Mogollon Rim Ranger District, which includes Fir, Pinyon Pine, and Ponderosa Pine trees in three designated areas located approximately 1 to 2.5 hours south of Flagstaff. This office will be open November 22 and November 23 (Friday and Saturday) to sell permits, but will be closed November 24 (Sunday).

The Forest Supervisors Office will be selling permits this year. There will be 100 permits for the Pinyon and Juniper trees within two designated Christmas tree cutting areas in the Flagstaff Ranger District, and 200 permits for Fir, Pinyon Pine, or Ponderosa Pine trees within the three designated areas of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. This office is not open on November 23 or 24 (Saturday and Sunday).

The Red Rock Ranger District will sell a limited number of permits November 23 and 24 (Saturday and Sunday only), or until all permits are sold. There will be 50 permits for the Pinyon and Juniper trees within two designated Christmas tree cutting areas in the Flagstaff Ranger District, and 50 permits for Fir, Pinyon Pine, or Ponderosa Pine trees within the three designated areas of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.