FLAGSTAFF — A wildfire approximately 4 miles north of Flagstaff on the west side of the San Francisco Peaks was reported at 5:30 a.m. today and is producing a lot of smoke visible to surrounding residents.
The Twisted Fire is currently about 2 acres with minimal activity, and firefighting resources on scene include a Hotshot crew, several engines, a dozer, and water tender.
Category Archives: National Government
Jacob Lake evacuations continue as Magnum Fire expands
JACOB LAKE — Evacuations in the Jacob Lake area continued throughout the weekend and are continuing today in areas threatened by the 24,700+ acre Mangum Fire Burning on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office along with United States Forest Service personnel throughout the weekend and into the week, continue to patrol and search in and around the Mangum fire vicinity affecting Jacob Lake and surrounding areas. Approximately 230 people were evacuated in initial efforts with another 50 visitors evacuated/escorted out of the area over the weekend.
Sheriff Deputies, along with Forest Service Officers, made personal notifications to residents in the areas of White Sage and Lonesome during the weekend placing them in the “SET” stage for evacuation. Approximately 30 to 35 homes were contacted during this notification,
Due to proximity of the Mangum Fire, Highway 67 was closed over the weekend and remains closed at this time to all traffic. Visitors are being escorted out at intervals throughout the day up to 4:00 p.m. Forest Service and Park Officials are asking anyone wanting to leave the area to drive to Forest Service road 429 and Highway 67 where the Highway is closed, where escorts out of the fire hazard area will be facilitated by Forest Service Officers. These times are subject to change as Fire conditions change.
According to the Kaibab Forest Service, risk remains for the Jacob Lake community but has diminished. Previous fuel treatments conducted by the local Ranger District Office have aided in moderating fire behavior allowing firefighters time to continue improving defensible space around the community. A night shift continued their work.
The fire spotted across containment lines along Forest Road 22 yesterday near Mangum Springs and raced north into grass, brush, and pinon/juniper towards Middle Mountain. Air tankers, including the Very Large Air Tanker, quickly responded with retardant to limit its growth.
Today crews will continue to construct fireline to minimize the fire’s northward movement northeast of highway 89A. Crews will work to attempt to secure fire’s spread near Little Mountain. Forecast weather includes less wind, but dry conditions, high temperatures, and low humidity.
Currently Hwy 89A is closed at M.P. 545 east of Jacob Lake and at mile post 608.8 west of Jacob Lake. Hwy 67 is closed to all traffic. These roadways will remain closed while the Mangum Fire continues to pose a threat to public safety.
As fire efforts continue more information will be made available. For any questions regarding the Mangum fire please contact the USFS at 602-345-0469. For information regarding the evacuation efforts please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 928-226-5089. For Road closures please contact Az Department of Transportation by dialing in state, 511, and out of state 888-411-7623, www.az511.gov
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office urges all residents to sign up for Emergency Notifications to receive any emergency notifications about the fire and possible evacuation notices. Please visit https://www.coconino.az.gov/207/Emergency-Management for information on how to register to get
emergency alerts.
Red Flag Warning 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM MST FRIDAY DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR WESTERN COCONINO AND YAVAPAI COUNTIES Red Flag Warning issued June 4 at 1:42PM MST until June 5 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Red Flag Warning due to strong winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM MST Friday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA…Locations near Fredonia, Grand Canyon, Jacob Lake, North Rim, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Seligman and Valle. This includes portions of the Coconino National Forest, Kaibab National Forest and Prescott National Forest. * WINDS…South 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 13 percent. * IMPACTS…The combination of strong gusty winds and low relative humidity may create critical fire weather conditions. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible, which could lead to new fire starts.
Forest Service Takes Steps to Reduce Human Caused Wildfire during Global Pandemic
ALBUQUERQUE – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Southwestern Region is enacting a campfire ban to protect the health and safety of employees and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning April 22, igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire will be prohibited on all six national forests in Arizona until June 30, 2020, or until rescinded.
Forest Service officials are taking the necessary steps to ensure first responders are available to safely respond and manage incidents. This campfire restriction will prevent the drawdown of fire and medical resources to unwanted human-caused wildfires and reduce firefighter exposure to COVID-19 during the current pandemic.
“While we know that going outside provides forest and grassland visitors needed space, exercise and satisfaction, we are taking the risks presented by COVID-19 seriously,” said Acting Regional Forester Elaine Kohrman. “We are providing some recreation opportunities where we can while protecting and keeping employees, the public and our communities safe from the virus and unwanted human-caused wildfires.”
The following is prohibited under the April 22 campfire ban order:
Igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, including charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves.
Violating the campfire ban may result in an appearance in federal court, fines, and possible time in jail. Forest visitors will still be able to use pressurized liquid or gas devices (stoves, grills or lanterns) with shut-off valves, in an area at least three feet from any flammable materials. While these restrictions are in place, the majority of the six national forests in Arizona are still open, and dispersed camping – outside of developed campsites – and other recreation opportunities are available.
Visit the Interactive Visitor Map at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ivm for more information on available activities. For additional information on COVID-19, go to https://www.coronavirus.gov. Information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is available at: www.usda.gov/coronavirus. Information on public lands use in Arizona is available at https://tourism.az.gov/responsible-recreation-across-arizona/
Crews Respond to a 15 Acre Wildfire near Sherwood Forest Estates
WILLIAMS – Fire crews from the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, Sherwood Forest Estates, and Parks Bellemont Fire Departments responded to a wildfire late Tuesday afternoon south of Interstate 40 near the neighborhood of Sherwood Forest Estates east of Williams.
The Beacon Fire was discovered about 3:00 pm on Tuesday April 7, and was burning in grass and ponderosa pine. Several Local residents reacted quickly with tools and equipment to help slow the spread of the fire as responding units arrived on the scene. The fire was contained just after 5:00 pm at 15.6 acres in size. The fire burned on both private and National Forest land. The cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation at this time.
Kaibab National Forest seeks public comment on proposed vegetation management project on the North Kaibab Ranger District
FREDONIA — The Kaibab National Forest is seeking public comment on a proposed vegetation management project on the North Kaibab Ranger District that would improve forest health and vigor while also enhancing habitat conditions in the area.
The Burnt Corral Vegetation Management Project Environmental Assessment and all other project documents and maps are available for review on the Kaibab National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=44236. The project includes treatments designed to improve forest resiliency by creating conditions better able to withstand climate change and other threats such as unnaturally severe wildfire.
The project proposes the use of prescribed fire as well as the management of naturally-caused wildfire on up to 28,090 acres of the North Kaibab Ranger District. This reintroduction of wildland fire across the landscape would be supported by up to 17,765 acres of commercial and non-commercial mechanical vegetation treatments.
These treatments would promote a healthy mosaic of forest conditions and increase long-term sustainability by creating stands that include a diversity of tree ages and sizes. Larger openings between groups of trees and fewer areas of interlocking crowns would not only increase forage and grass production but would also make the entire project area more resistant to unnaturally severe wildfire.
This is the second official comment period for the project, which was originally scoped in March 2015. Due to the amount of time since the original comment period, the North Kaibab Ranger District decided to offer a second opportunity for the public to provide input. There have been few changes to the original proposed action, as most related to minor acreage adjustments based on actual field surveys and stand data.
“Even though there have not been significant changes, we wanted to ensure our communities and partners had ample opportunity to review the project and provide us with comments,” said Randall Walker, district ranger for the North Kaibab Ranger District.
The Kaibab National Forest encourages members of the public to provide feedback on the Burnt Corral Vegetation Management Project Environmental Assessment during the 30-day comment period. Specific, written comments should be postmarked or sent by April 24.
Comments must be in writing and may be delivered electronically, by mail or facsimile. Electronic comments, including attachments, may be emailed to comments-southwestern-kaibab-north-kaibab@usda.gov. Please include “Burnt Corral Vegetation Management Project” in the subject line. Comments may be submitted electronically in Word (.doc or .docx), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), Adobe portable document formats (PDF), or HyperText Markup Language (.html). Submit comments via mail to: U.S. Forest Service, North Kaibab Ranger District, Attn: David Vincelette / NEPA Planner, 430 South Main Street, P.O. Box 248, Fredonia, AZ 86022. Comments may be faxed to 928-643-8105.
Coconino NF closing developed recreation sites
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
- Banjo Bill Picnic Site
- Bootlegger Picnic Site
- Clints Well Picnic Site
- Encinoso Picnic Site
- Fossil Creek Area
- Halfway Picnic Site
- Long Valley Day-Use Site
- Oak Creek Vista
Group Campgrounds
- Chavez Crossing Group Campground
- Clear Creek Group Campground
- Dairy Springs Group Campground
- Elks Group Group Campground
- Long Valley Work Center Group Campground
- Moqui Group Campground
- O’Leary Group Campground
Heritage Sites
- Honanki Heritage Site
- Palatki Heritage Site
- V Bar V Heritage Site
Rental Cabins
- Apache Maid Cabin
- Crescent Moon Cabin
- Fernow Cabin
- Kendrick Cabin
Single Family Unit Campgrounds
- Ashurst Lake Campground
- Bonito Campground
- Blue Ridge Campground
- Canyon Vista Campground
- Cave Springs Campground
- Clear Creek Campground
- Clints Well Campground
- Dairy Springs Campground
- Double Springs Campground
- Kehl Springs Campground
- Knoll Lake Campground
- Lakeview Campground
- Little Elden Springs Campground
- Lockett Meadow Campground
- Manzanita Campground
- Pine Flat Campground
- Pine Grove Campground
- Rock Crossing Campground
Visitor Centers
- Red Rock Ranger Station & Visitor Center
- 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
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
Kaibab National Forest offers virtual services in response to COVID-19
WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest is implementing virtual services to protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public during the COVID-19 outbreak in accordance with guidance from federal and state authorities.
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
“As we work through an unpredictable and rapidly changing situation, health and safety is our number one priority,” said Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Heather Provencio. “We are committed to continuing to support our communities and fulfill our mission as we all work together to minimize the impacts and spread of COVID-19.”
These actions have been taken based on the best available medical advice to limit gatherings of large numbers of people and to promote social distancing.
While being outside on a national forest is believed to be safer than indoor spaces, visitors are urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like the coronavirus, go to www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.
For additional information about the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab.
Winter Storm Watch
From Coconino County Emergency Management
In partnership with the National Weather Service WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING ABOVE 6000 FEET Winter Storm Watch issued March 16 at 3:06PM MST until March 19 at 6:00AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ * WHAT…Heavy snow possible above 6000 feet. Total snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts of 16 inches possible. * WHERE…Areas above 6000 feet near Alpine, Doney Park, Flagstaff, Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, Jacob Lake, Pinetop- Lakeside, Show Low and Williams. * WHEN…From Wednesday morning through early Thursday morning. * IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning or evening commute. Snow forecast from 6 AM Wednesday to 6 AM Thursday: Alpine 6 to 10 inches Doney Park 2 to 4 inches Flagstaff 8 to 12 inches Forest Lakes 9 to 15 inches Heber-Overgaard 3 to 5 inches Jacob Lake 4 to 8 inches Pinetop-Lkside 5 to 9 inches Show Low 3 to 5 inches Williams 8 to 12 inches.