Daily Archives: August 5, 2020

Coconino County praises passage of Great American Outdoors Act

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County applauds todays enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act which establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to address over $507 million deferred maintenance needs in Arizona. This landmark legislation also permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a critical funding tool for Coconino County.

“The Board of Supervisors has tirelessly advocated for many years for the improvement of federal lands within our county and funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund,” said Coconino County Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “The Great American Outdoors Act will help to revitalize the infrastructure of federal lands and provide more public open space for recreation, a vital component to increasing the economic value of tourism. Thank you to all those in the Arizona delegation that voted for this monumental piece of legislation.”

Coconino County is the second-largest county in the continental United States encompassing more than 18,000 square miles. Coconino County is home to national treasures, including Wupatki National Monument, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon National Monument and, most notably, the Grand Canyon National Park. The Great American Outdoors Act will provide deferred maintenance funding for these institutions.

Historically, LWCF funds have supported 33 projects in Coconino County totaling $1,955,704. These 33 diverse projects, some dating back to 1966, range from work at Fort Tuthill County
Park and Fort Tuthill Bike Park, to the ballfield at Thorpe Park in the City of Flagstaff. LWCF projects in Coconino County provide a way for people to connect to their environment and with each other, and ensure recreational access for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

The Great American Outdoors Act was supported by Arizona Senators Sinema and McSally and Representatives O’Halleran, Grijalva, Kirkpatrick, Gallego, Stanton and Schweikert.

President Trump signed the legislation into law on August 4. Coconino County is grateful to all those who supported this legislation to protect our natural resources.

2020 Coconino County Fair to be held virtually

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FLAGSTAFF — The 2020 Coconino County Fair will move forward this year as an online event with virtual 4-H shows, pictures of entry winners, streaming entertainment, and a virtual vendor marketplace. A “community connections” portion encourages community members to share favorite recipes, gardening tips and tricks, flower growing advice, and to vote for people’s choice awards in fine arts for photography and other art mediums. While the annual Coconino County Fair will look different this year, the public is encouraged to participate and make it a community-wide celebration.

The Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department and 4-H Cooperative Extension Office decided to move forward virtually, including livestock shows and Clubwork exhibits after over eight weeks of information gathering, planning, and meetings with partners such as Coconino County Health and Human Services, Fair Superintendents, and the Northern Arizona Junior Livestock Association.

The Fair Books, one for 4-H and one for community members, are also online. Community entries are due by Friday, August 21. The County Fair is featuring a select number of entry categories per department, and people will submit a photo of their entry online for judging. Winners will receive cash prizes, provided by sponsors Friends of Coconino County Park, and the Cromer and Heflin families.

Coconino County Parks and Recreation is currently accepting virtual vendor applications for the virtual vendor marketplace that will provide a way for community members to enjoy the County Fair from the comfort of their own home. Food, commercial, and nonprofit vendors are encouraged to apply to be part of the 2020 Vendor Marketplace at CoconinoCountyFair.com. The Fair asks that vendors provide a special item or promotion to be available at least during Labor Day Weekend, September 4 through September 7, 2020.

The Fair Books and vendor application are available on the Coconino County Fair website at CoconinoCountyFair.com.

Halfway Fire at 97 Acres, Forward Progress Halted

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TUSAYAN – The Halfway Fire which was ignited by a lightning strike on the Tusayan Ranger District over the weekend grew to 97 acres on Monday, however a combination of initial attack resources including aircraft, hand crews, engines and a dozer working steadily throughout the day and were able to stop forward progress of the fire by early that evening.

Additional resources arrived on Tuesday which reinforced efforts as crews worked to fortify lines and knock down hot spots preventing any further spread. Approximately 80 personnel have been assigned to the incident at this time. The fire is 3 miles east of Tusayan and is now 20% contained. Crews will continue working the next several days improving and securing constructed fire lines, holding the perimeters, and begin mopping up.

Smoke may continue to be visible from the town of Tusayan, Grand Canyon Airport, highway 64, and from areas inside the Grand Canyon National Park. Overnight inversion may cause haze and smoke to drift into the town on Tusayan in the early morning hours over the next few days but is expected to lift and ventilate out rapidly as surfaces warm.

A small portion of the Arizona Trail was affected by the fire, however it remains open. Hikers are asked to follow temporary detour signs encountered on the trail near the burned area. Motorists and visitors are asked to be aware of apparatus and fire personnel when travelling through the area and to avoid driving in the immediate vicinity of the fire where active operations are occurring.