Daily Archives: March 25, 2020

STATEMENT FROM COCONINO COUNTY ATTORNEY BILL RING

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“Coconino County, in partnership with local, state, and federal partners is actively working to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our community. The health and safety of our residents is our top priority.

Preserving justice and public safety are critical aspects of our community response. Justice and the sense of basic fairness that we all share is what binds us together. There are hundreds of courtrooms around Arizona, from small towns to large cities, and from small counties to the Arizona Supreme Court. Included among these is the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, composed of 22 attorneys and 25 support staff. As civil servants, we serve the interests of Justice and Liberty in our communities, our County and in the State of Arizona.

In difficult times such as these, prosecutors are challenged to consider what justice and fairness require of us under the circumstances. The Governor has declared a State of Emergency and the Arizona Supreme Court and our local Superior Court have crafted Administrative Orders to provide the necessary procedures of judicial administration to protect our staff and the public, but that do not alter the meaning of Justice.

The County Attorney’s office will alter some procedures to include:

  1. Reducing, for a limited time, the number of individuals coming into physical contact with the criminal justice system. Cases and interests will be addressed virtually, through all available technologies.
  2. Enhancing our collaborations with law enforcement, the courts, defense counsel, probation departments, and especially the victims of crime.
  3. Protecting our most vulnerable citizens.

The role of Prosecutor is an honorable one, and a critical position occupied continuously by caring people. We take public welfare seriously. We, the prosecutors of the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, wish you good health while we fulfill our public duty.”

Coconino County Health officials confirm first death due to COVID-19

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) confirmed the first COVID-19 related death in Coconino County. The individual was a male in his 50s with underlying health conditions.

CCHHS is working to identify and contact anyone who may have been in close contact with the decedent. These individuals will be asked to quarantine or isolate as necessary and will be monitored by public health for fever and respiratory symptoms.

“Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time,” said County Incident Commander and Deputy County Manager Dr. Marie Peoples. “We share in this family’s grief and are deeply committed to doing all we can to ensure the health and safety of our community. We urge everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and their family including washing their hands frequently, staying home when they are sick and contacting a healthcare provider for medical guidance. “

To date, there have been 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Coconino County. COVID-19 can be a serious disease, especially in elderly populations and people with underlying health conditions.

CCHHS urges people to continue to take precautions. The best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

COVID-19 spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms are thought to appear within two to 14 days after exposure and consist of fever, cough and difficulty breathing. For people with mild illness, individuals are asked to stay home, drink plenty of fluids and rest. For people with more severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, individuals are advised to seek healthcare.

Coconino County activated the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on March 12, 2020. The EOC coordinates the County’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. For more information about COVID-19, please visit www.coconino.az.gov/covid19 or email COVID19Information@coconino.az.gov.

Coconino NF closing developed recreation sites

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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., March 24, 2020 — Coconino National Forest has closed its developed recreation and day-use sites indefinitely to protect public and employee health, as well as align with state and local measures already in place to lessen the impact of COVID-19.

The vast majority of the forest is still open to visitors who want to spend time outdoors participating in recreational opportunities that support social distancing, such as hiking and biking on trails, and dispersed camping.

However, the following developed recreation sites, facilities, and restrooms are closed. More sites may close in the future, depending on the situation, as circumstances can change rapidly in response to COVID-19:

Day-Use Sites

  1. Banjo Bill Picnic Site
  2. Bootlegger Picnic Site
  3. Clints Well Picnic Site
  4. Encinoso Picnic Site
  5. Fossil Creek Area
  6. Halfway Picnic Site
  7. Long Valley Day-Use Site
  8. Oak Creek Vista

Group Campgrounds

  1. Chavez Crossing Group Campground
  2. Clear Creek Group Campground
  3. Dairy Springs Group Campground
  4. Elks Group Group Campground
  5. Long Valley Work Center Group Campground
  6. Moqui Group Campground
  7. O’Leary Group Campground

Heritage Sites

  1. Honanki Heritage Site
  2. Palatki Heritage Site
  3. V Bar V Heritage Site

Rental Cabins

  1. Apache Maid Cabin
  2. Crescent Moon Cabin
  3. Fernow Cabin
  4. Kendrick Cabin

Single Family Unit Campgrounds

  1. Ashurst Lake Campground
  2. Bonito Campground
  3. Blue Ridge Campground
  4. Canyon Vista Campground
  5. Cave Springs Campground
  6. Clear Creek Campground
  7. Clints Well Campground
  8. Dairy Springs Campground
  9. Double Springs Campground
  10. Kehl Springs Campground
  11. Knoll Lake Campground
  12. Lakeview Campground
  13. Little Elden Springs Campground
  14. Lockett Meadow Campground
  15. Manzanita Campground
  16. Pine Flat Campground
  17. Pine Grove Campground
  18. Rock Crossing Campground

Visitor Centers

  1. Red Rock Ranger Station & Visitor Center
  2. Oak Creek Visitor Center

Notifications to those who have made any reservations will be made as soon as possible and refunds will be processed.

Visitors should mitigate resource impacts wherever they recreate by taking their trash with them when they depart and appropriately managing human waste by burying it at least 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet away from water, trails and recreation sites.

All Coconino National Forests offices are conducting business and providing services virtually. While being outside is believed to be safer than indoor spaces, visitors to national forests are urged to take the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended precautions.

Members of the public who have additional questions that cannot be answered through the Coconino National Forest website can contact one of our ranger stations:

  • Forest Supervisor’s Office: 928-527-3600, then press “0.”
  • Flagstaff Ranger Station: 928-527-8279.
  • Mogollon Rim Ranger Station: 928-477-2255.
  • Red Rock Ranger Station & Visitor’s Center: 928-203-2900, then press “0.”

Kaibab National Forest closes some recreation sites

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest has closed specific recreation and day-use sites indefinitely to protect public health and align with state and local measures already in place to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

The closed sites on each of the Kaibab National Forest’s three ranger districts are as follows:

North Kaibab Ranger District – (928) 643-7395
· Le Fevre Overlook

Tusayan Ranger District – (928) 638-2443
· Grandview Lookout Tower Day-Use Site
· Russell Tank Day-Use Site

Williams Ranger District – (928) 635-5600
· Oak Hill Snow Play Area
· Kaibab Lake Day-Use Site (boat launch and parking to remain open)
· Dogtown Lake Day-Use Site (boat launch and parking to remain open)
· Sycamore Falls Climbing Area and Day-Use Site

The Kaibab National Forest’s developed campgrounds remain closed, as they have not yet opened for the overnight camping season. All rental cabins on the forest are also closed. More recreation sites may close in the future as forest officials continue to monitor conditions and evaluate appropriate actions to limit the spread of COVID-19.

While specific recreation sites on the Kaibab National Forest are closed, most of the forest is open for visitors who want to spend time outdoors. Recreation opportunities that support social distancing, such as hiking, biking, wildlife viewing and dispersed camping, remain available.

The Kaibab National Forest asks members of the public to recreate responsibly by avoiding high-risk activities that could increase the chance of injury or distress. Law enforcement and search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19. While being outside is believed to be safer than indoor spaces, visitors to national forests are urged to take the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended precautions.

Visitors can help reduce impacts to their public lands and protect forest resources for the future by following Leave No Trace outdoor ethics including properly disposing of waste, respecting wildlife, leaving in place artifacts and other objects of interest, and avoiding the creation of damage by staying on established roads and trails.

All Kaibab National Forest offices are conducting business and providing services virtually. Customers needing information, permits and maps are encouraged to call the following offices during regular business hours for prompt customer service:

Supervisor’s Office – (928) 635-8200
Williams Ranger District – (928) 635-5600
Tusayan Ranger District – (928) 638-2443
North Kaibab Ranger District – (928) 643-7395

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
Flickr: http://bit.ly/KaibabNFPhotos