Category Archives: Fredonia

Team Transitions to Manage Both Cat Fire, Stina Fire

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FREDONIA — Local crews have been working diligently on the Stina and Cat Fires as well as responding to Initial Attack on numerous lightning ignitions across the district. In order to take pressure off local resources, Kaibab fire officials have transitioned command of the Stina Fire to the Central West Zone Type Three Incident Management Team as of 6:00 a.m. today. The Stina and the Cat Fires are both under command of the team which will finalize suppression activities, direct mop-up, and initiate suppression repair.

Moisture received on the Cat and Stina Fires has effectively calmed fire behavior. No growth has occurred on either fire for several days. Fire managers are confident under the current conditions, fire growth is unlikely.

Resources:
165 personnel including 3 Hot Shot Crews, 1 Type 2 Crew, 7 Engines, 2 Ambulances, and 1 dozer

Cat Overview:
Date reported: August 6, 2018 Size: 3,688 acres

Strategy: Full suppression Containment: 0%

Location: The Cat Fire is about 25 miles southeast of Jacob Lake in the Saddle Mountain Wilderness on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

Situational update: Containment figures are calculated based on a fire’s interaction with constructed or natural fireline. Since the Cat Fire never burned up to the constructed or natural fireline, no official containment was reached; however, there is little fire activity on the fire perimeter, and the fire remains confined within the initial planning area set by fire managers. The Cat Fire has been placed in Monitor Status.

Closures: Fire management resources have closed all roads within the planning area boundary, which includes FR 213 and 220 on the north, FR 610 on the south and east, and House Rock Valley Road 8910 on the east.

The following trails are closed: Arizona Trail from FR 213 to FR 610, North Canyon Trail, South Canyon Trail, Saddle Mountain Trail, and Pt. Imperial and Nankoweap Trails, which are both located on Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park land. The closure will remain in effect until it is considered safe to enter the area. Roads 213, 219, 220 south of 213, 610 (Marbleview, South Canyon), 611 (East Rim), and 8910 south of 220 are also closed.

Stina Overview:

Start date: July 26, 2018 Size: 2,600 acres
Strategy: full containment Containment: 20%

Location: The Stina Fire is 23 miles southwest of Jacob Lake and about 2 miles east of Fire Point on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

Situational Update: Resources continue to work on all sides of the Stina Fire. On the north and east flanks, crews are concentrating on mop-up and fire suppression repair. Along forest roads 268 and 223 on the south flank, crews continue to close gaps to secure fireline. Where the fire is in contact with the fireline, crews are cold trailing, carefully inspecting and feeling for heat, along the fire’s edge and extinguishing any hot spots that remain adjacent to the line.

Closures: A closure is in effect for Forest Roads 223 (going to Fire Point), 268, 206, 271, 609, 250 road south of the 250/294 junction, a portion of the 239 and all Rainbow Rim trails and scenic viewpoints south of Locust Point. The trail between Locust Point and Parissawampitts Point will remain open for forest visitors. The closure order will remain in place until it is considered safe to enter the area.

For fire information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab and Inciweb under the name of the fire at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov or visit us on Facebook and Twitter @KaibabNF or call (928) 635-8311 for recorded fire information.

Northeast flank of Stina: Highest priority for suppression efforts

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FREDONIA — Fire managers are focusing on securing the northeast portion of the 1,289 acre Stina Fire as their top priority and began that with a small burn out operation today.

“We will continue to look for opportunities to secure the northeast flank, utilizing firing (burn out) opportunities when we can,” said Incident Commander Trainee Dave Veater.

The southeast portion of the fire is a lower priority than the northeast flank because this area has the Tipover Prescribed Fire from last fall directly in front Stina’s path providing a catcher’s mitt where fuels have been reduced. Elsewhere on the fire, firefighters completed hose lays and continued improving containment lines by removing vegetation. Also, two engines from the fire were utilized to suppress new lightning fires that were detected today on the North Kaibab Ranger District.

There are two 20-person hotshot crews and one 20-person Type-two hand crew, Seven fire engines and other totalling about 102 people on this fire. The fire fuel consists of Ponderosa pine, aspen and mixed conifer.

The Stina Fire is 23-miles southwest of Jacob Lake and about 2-miles east of Fire Point on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

Central West Zone Type 3 Team, continues to manage the 2,500-acre Cat Fire with full suppression tactics with a total of 88 personnel including two hotshot crews and nine engines. Fire management decisions are determined with consideration of firefighter safety, location of the fire, available resources, regional and national preparedness levels, and weather forecast.

Maintaining the integrity of cultural and natural resources within the Saddle Mountain Wilderness is a key management objective. “While we are concerned about these valuable resources, our most important resource is people,” said Incident Commander Rob Williams.

Typically, there has been an increase in fire behavior during the warm afternoon hours. Due to cooler temperatures and higher moisture, activity was minimal with a small flare up that put up visible smoke for a short time in the afternoon. Crews are continuing to improve indirect line around the fire and clean up fuel breaks along Forest Road (FR) 219, as well FR 610 in order to tie into the Fuller Fire scar. Two local engines from the Cat fire were utilized to suppress two new lightning starts that were detected this afternoon on the North Kaibab Ranger District.

Fire management resources have closed all roads within the planning area boundary, which includes FR 213 and 220 on the north, FR 610 on the east and south, and House Rock Valley Road 8910 on the east.

The following trails are closed: Arizona Trail from FR 213 to FR 610, North Canyon Trail, South Canyon Trail, Saddle Mountain Trail, and Pt. Imperial and Nankoweap Trails, which are both located on Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park land. The closure will remain in effect until it is considered safe to enter the area. Roads 213, 219, 220 south of 213, 610 (Marbleview, South Canyon), 611 (East Rim), and 8910 south of 220 are also closed.

Smoke is visible on both the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon park, and there is a regional haze present in surrounding communities from multiple wildfires in the West. Individuals sensitive to smoke can learn how to help protect their health by visiting the Coconino County Public Health Services District website at: http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.

Cat Fire Burns Aggressively Downslope to the East

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FREDONIA — Active fire behavior was seen on the Cat Fire today, resulting in the consumption of an estimated 800 acres. Fire spread mainly downslope to the east and south predominately in ponderosa and pinyon-juniper fuel types.

Overview
Date reported: August 6, 2018
Size: 2,118 acres
Location: The Cat Fire is about 25 miles southeast of Jacob Lake in the Saddle Mountain Wilderness on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
Fuel: Mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, and pinyon-juniper.
Weather: Forecasters anticipate a slight increase in moisture across the fire area.
Strategy: Full suppression
Situational update: Crews continued to focus control actions on the western side of the fire today as it moved closer to Forest Road 219, and very little growth occurred on the western flank. Management of the Cat Fire will transition to the Central West Zone Type 3 team under the command of Rob Williams on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 6 a.m.

Closures: Fire management resources have closed all roads within the planning area boundary, which includes Forest Roads (FR) 213 and 220 on the north, FR 610 on the east and south, and House Rock Valley Road 8910 on the east.

The following trails are closed: Arizona Trail from FR 213 to FR 610, North Canyon Trail, South Canyon Trail and Pt. Imperial and Nankoweap Trails, which are both located on Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park land. The closure will remain in effect until it is considered safe to enter the area.

Smoke: Smoke is visible on both the North and South Rims of the park, and there is a regional haze present in surrounding communities from multiple wildfires in the West. Individuals sensitive to smoke can learn how to help protect their health by visiting the Coconino County Public Health Services District website at: http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.

For fire information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab and Inciweb under the name of the fire at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov or visit us on Facebook and Twitter @KaibabNF or call (928) 635-8311 for recorded fire information.

A Good Day on the Stina Fire

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FREDONIA — Incident Commander Trainee Dave Veater said, “It was a good day on the Stina Fire.” Fire crews were able to make good progress on the east and north flanks of the fire today; preparing lines for burning operations on the north side, placing a hose lay in on the east side of the fire, and assessing the suppression options for the south flank of the fire. The west side of the fire was very active in the mixed conifer, but there was not any significant fire growth today.

Resources:
4 20-person hotshot crews and 1 20 person type two hand crew
9 fire engines
1 bulldozer
Miscellaneous overhead (a total of 156 personnel)

Stina Fire Overview
Start date: July 26, 2018
Size: 1,200 acres

Location: The Stina Fire is 23 miles southwest of Jacob Lake and about 2 miles east of Fire Point on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

Fuel: Ponderosa pine, aspen and mixed conifer.

Weather: Forecasters anticipate a chance of thunderstorms across the fire area.

Strategy: Full suppression

Lightning sparks wildfire on North Kaibab Ranger District

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FREDONIA — North Zone fire personnel are responding to a lightning-caused wildfire in the vicinity of Sowats Point located on the North Kaibab Ranger District of Kaibab National Forest. The fire began shortly after 2 p.m. and is estimated to be approximately 20 acres.

This lightning-caused wildfire is the first to occur since the North Kaibab Ranger District went into fire restrictions, and as monsoonal activity creeps closer, lightning strikes will become more common. Fire officials would like to remind visitors that the forest is still in Stage II fire restrictions, and will remain in effect until significant moisture arrives.

Forest officials would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the national forest while under fire restrictions is a violation of the law requiring a mandatory appearance in federal court and consequent fines and possibly jail time. Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands during fire season.

Members of the public can find additional information through the following sources:

· Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
· Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
· Arizona Fire Restrictions: firerestrictions.us/az

Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon National Park to implement additional fire restrictions starting this Friday

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FREDONIA — The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service will implement additional fire restrictions, also known as Stage II fire restrictions, across the North Kaibab Ranger District, and the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon of Grand Canyon National Park beginning at 8 a.m. this Friday. Visitors should be mindful that these new fire restrictions will limit certain activities and will remain in effect until rescinded, which typically occurs after significant and widespread moisture arrives and fire danger levels subside.

As a reminder, the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts are already in Stage II fire restrictions and will also remain in effect until lifted.

Under the Stage II fire restrictions to be implemented Friday across the North Kaibab Ranger District, the following are prohibited:

  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, including fires in developed campgrounds and improved sites.
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
  • Discharging a firearm except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations.
  • Operating chainsaws or any internal combustion engine between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Welding or operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame.
  • Using an explosive (It is always illegal to use any explosives or fireworks on National Forest lands).

Under the Stage II fire restrictions to be implemented Friday across Grand Canyon National Park, the following are prohibited:

  • All wood burning and charcoal fires, campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbecues will be prohibited throughout the Park. The restriction encompasses the entire Park including all campgrounds and residential areas to include: Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Campground and Indian Garden Campground.
  • Park stores will not sell firewood during this time.
  • These restrictions include all backcountry permit holders and thru-hikers.

Exemptions to the Stage II fire restrictions on the North Kaibab Ranger District include the following:

  • Using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
  • Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the generator.
  • Operating motorized vehicles in compliance with the Kaibab National Forest’s Travel Management regulations. Parking off any road must be in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the vehicle.

Exemptions to the Stage II fire restrictions on Grand Canyon National Park include the following:

  • Pressurized liquid gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters with shut-off devices are allowed.
  • Boats within the Colorado River corridor are exempted from the Stage II restriction.

 

On the Kaibab Plateau, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service fire managers work together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program. Here North Zone Fire Managers use fire restrictions to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Implementation of fire restrictions normally occurs based on a combination of factors that are carefully measured. These factors include but are not limited to the following:

  • Current and predicted weather patterns
  • Fuel moistures, a variety of science-based indices, and fire activity levels
  • Available firefighting resources
  • Additional restrictions may be applied anytime conditions warrant

On National Forest Lands, fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area covered by the restrictions receives significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded. However, Grand Canyon National Park operates under Stage I Fire Restrictions year round, except in certain circumstances where fire managers must increase to Stage II fire restrictions because the criteria listed above dictates a need to do so.

Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands when fire danger is increased. Fire managers would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the National Forest or National Park while under fire restrictions is a violation of law requiring a mandatory appearance in federal court, consequent fines, and possible jail time.

As a reminder, these fire restrictions apply to the entire Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park. Additionally, many city, state, and county agencies implement similar restrictions, so members of the public should check with the appropriate agency on any restrictions applying to privately-owned property or other lands not within the jurisdictional boundaries of any Federal Land Management Agency.

Know Before You Go! Members of the public can find additional information through the following:

Kaibab National Forest to implement fire restrictions on North Kaibab Ranger District starting this Friday

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FREDONIA — The Kaibab National Forest will implement campfire and smoking restrictions, also known as Stage I fire restrictions, on the North Kaibab Ranger District beginning at 8 a.m. this Friday. As a reminder, Stage II fire restrictions are already in effect across the entire Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts and will continue until significant precipitation is received.

Under the restrictions to be implemented Friday across the North Kaibab Ranger District, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within the specific developed recreation sites listed here:

· Big Springs Rental Cabins
· Jacob Lake Campground
· Jacob Lake Group Campground & Picnic Site
· DeMotte Campground

Stage I restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in the listed developed recreation sites.

Using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device. Fireworks are always prohibited on all National Forest lands.

The Forest Service uses fire restrictions to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Implementation of fire restrictions normally occurs based on a combination of factors that are carefully measured.

Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include things such as current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, a variety of science-based indices, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Additional restrictions may be applied any time that conditions warrant. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area covered by the restrictions receives significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded.

Forest officials would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the National Forest while under fire restrictions is a violation that carries a mandatory appearance in federal court. Violations are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

These fire restrictions apply only to the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. However, many city, state, and county agencies implement similar restrictions, so members of the public should check with the appropriate agency on any restrictions applying to privately-owned property or other lands not within Kaibab National Forest jurisdictional boundaries.

Know Before You Go! Members of the public can find additional information through the following sources:

· Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
· Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
· Arizona Fire Restrictions: firerestrictions.us/az

Kaibab, Arizona Trail Association host mountain bike event to celebrate 50th anniversary of National Trails System Act

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FREDONIA – Mountain bikers of all skill levels are welcome and encouraged to participate in an 18-mile mountain bike ride along the Arizona Trail on Sunday, May 13, 2018, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arizona Time (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Utah Time).

The ride will begin at the Orderville Trailhead in the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. This segment of the Arizona Trail is mostly flat and considered an easy ride. Experienced trip leaders will be your guides.

“The North Kaibab Ranger District is privileged to manage 48 miles of the Arizona National Scenic Trail to the Utah border, and we are excited to partner with the Arizona Trail Association and Amazing Earthfest to celebrate this National Trails System Act 50th Anniversary Event,” said North Kaibab Wilderness and Trails Specialist Allison Ayers. The Arizona Trail is an 800-mile hike, bike, ride your horse adventure. The trail runs from Mexico to Utah thru some of the most spectacular scenery Arizona has to offer.

Directions to this event are as follows: From Kanab go south on U.S. 89A toward Jacob Lake. Drive 1.5 miles past Jacob Lake on 89A to Forest Rd 205/247. Turn right on 205 to enter the Orderville Trailhead Parking lot. Allow 40 minutes to drive from Kanab to the trailhead. To carpool from Kanab, meet at 8:00 a.m. Utah Time at the Amazing Earthfest Information Table, Kane County Office of Tourism, 78 South 100 East, Kanab.

Before starting the ride, Arizona Trail Association staff will offer a brief history of the trail and the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System Act. A shuttle will be available at Government Reservoir, the turnaround point, for any riders who may prefer to stop at nine miles.

Riders are reminded to bring a bike in good working order suitable for single dirt track with rocks and roots, helmet, riding gloves, appropriate footwear and extra clothing, water, spare tire tube, and snacks. A support vehicle will be staged at the 5-mile point.

· For additional information about this event, contact Allison Ayers at (928) 643-8149 or allisonayers@fs.fed.us.
· For more information about Amazing Earthfest 2018, visit www.AmazingEarthfest.org.
· For more information about the National Trails System’s 50th Anniversary, visit https://www.trails50.org/.
· To register or get more information about the AZT In A Day event, scheduled for Saturday, October 6, 2018, visit https://aztrail.org/events/50th-anniversary-events/azt-in-a-day/.

Free tax preparation available in Tuba City and Fredonia

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TUBA CITY – District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler, in conjunction with United Way of Northern Arizona, is hosting free tax preparations in Tuba City and Fredonia, Ariz. until April 16.

IRS-certified volunteers will be available to help qualified taxpayers prepare and electronically file State and Federal tax returns for free. Families and individuals with a household incomes of $75,000 or less are eligible for this service through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.

WHO: Families and Individuals with household incomes of $75,000 or less.

WHERE/WHEN:

  1. St. Jude Food Bank 100, Aspen Dr. Tuba City, Ariz. Jan. 29 – April 16
  2. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  3. Saturday March 3 & 10, 9 – 11 a.m.
  4. Moenkopi Senior Center 20 Reservoir Ln. Tuba City, Ariz. Feb. 3 & Feb. 10, 9 – 11 a.m.
  5. Fredonia Public Library 130 Main St. Fredonia, Ariz. Feb. 14, March 14 & April 14, 10 a.m. -1 p.m.

What to bring:

• Valid picture ID for taxpayer (and spouse).
• Social Security or ITIN cards for all household members.
• Income statements including: W2’s, 1099, 1099-R, S.S. Benefits Statement and any other income received.
• 1095-A If you purchased Healthcare from the Marketplace.
• 1098-T tuition statement for college and technical school students.
• Name, address and tax ID# of child care provider.
• Amount of money paid to child care provider last year.
• DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSES: Mortgage interest paid, receipts for property taxes, medical expenses, charitable contributions, etc.
• Account and routing numbers of your financial institution (for direct deposit of any refund)
• Copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available.

For more information, contact Supervisor Lena Fowler’s Office at 928.283.4518 or online at coconino.az.gov/1958/Tuba-City-Vita.

Snowfall forecast on North Kaibab Ranger District

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FREDONIA – Fire managers plan to burn piles on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest tomorrow through Friday, weather permitting.

Crews will be active on approximately 125 acres at the southern end of the district near DeMotte campground and on 250 acres at the northern end of the district near Jacob Lake. The treatment is continuation of the Plateau Facilities Fire Protection Project, an ongoing wildfire mitigation project that includes a combination of prescribed burning and mechanical thinning designed to ultimately treat about 5,000 acres across the Kaibab Plateau.

The piles have cured over the last few years and are expected to consume quickly. Winds are expected to have a southerly influence, which would push any smoke produced to the north/northeast. However, fire managers anticipate smoke impacts to be very light as transport winds are forecast to be 10-to-15 mph. Individuals in the surrounding area who have smoke sensitivities are advised to limit their outdoor exposure during the pile burn.

General Information: Implementation of any particular prescribed fire, including a pile burn, is dependent on weather and fuel conditions including winds, temperature, humidity, moisture of the vegetation and ventilation conditions for dispersal of smoke. All prescribed fires are subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division and to view prescribed burn authorizations for any given day, visit http://www.azdeq.gov/programs/air-quality-programs/smoke-management.

No road or trail closures are expected. However, in the interest of safety, visitors are always reminded to use caution when traveling in the vicinity of prescribed fires, as firefighters, fire-related traffic, and smoke may all be present.