Category Archives: National Government

Recreate safely and responsibly this Memorial Day weekend

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WILLIAMS — Kaibab National Forest managers anticipate a busy Memorial Day weekend and offer forest users the following reminders to help make the visit as safe and enjoyable as possible.

· Monitor the weather with the National Weather Service Flagstaff, find forest information and conditions on the Kaibab NF website or by contacting your local ranger station, and always be prepared for sudden changes.
· When recreating near rivers, creeks, streams, or in canyons, be aware of high ground and escape routes in case of flash flooding.
· Always look up, look down, look all around for potential hazards such as falling branches, trees, or rocks.
· Bring extra water, food, and clothing layers. Let someone know where you’ll be, and when you plan to return.
· Remember that you’re not the only person using the forest; be respectful of other forest users – drivers, pedestrians, equestrians, and bicyclists.
· Drive with caution as some roads still have hazards such as fallen trees, snow and deep mud.
· Vehicles must stay on designated roads. A free Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) is available at our offices and GPS-enabled versions can be downloaded from our website. These show you the roads you’re allowed to travel and indicate the areas where you may pull further off the road for dispersed camping. The MVUM is the only official reference – don’t rely on map apps and don’t expect blockades or signage on every “off-limits” route.
· Along those lines, please don’t use our signs as your practice target, canvas, or home decor.
· Don’t mess with history. Our forest is rich with artifacts that tell the stories of the people who inhabited this land long before us. You might be lucky enough to come across evidence of more recent settlements like old containers and remnants of railroads and homes, or something from the earliest civilizations like rock art, pottery, and sharps. If you do, “oooh’s” and “ahhh’s” are OK; painting, breaking, and taking are not. In fact, it’s all illegal.
· Always be smart with fire. Even though there are currently no fire restrictions in effect, exercise caution with campfires. Keep them as small as practical. Avoid fires during high winds. And never leave them unattended. Stir your campfire with dirt and water until it’s dead out. You’ll know it’s fully extinguished when it’s cold to the touch. If there’s still smoke, there’s still heat.
· Pack it in, pack it out. Responsible recreation includes packing out all your trash and everything you brought with you. Practice the Leave No Trace principals and leave the forest healthy and beautiful.

Bottom line: Plan ahead, make safety your priority, and respect the natural resources and fellow forest visitors.

Miller Fire at roughly 19 acres, resources responding

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SEDONA — The Miller Fire, located in the Secret Mountain Wilderness of the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District (RRRD) (GPS coordinates: 34°57’21.2″N 111°50’05.6″W), is now at roughly 19 acres.

It is creeping and smoldering upslope and to the southwest toward the south side of Secret Canyon and Maroon Mountain at a low rate of spread.

Crews assigned to the fire include one Hotshot crew, two engines and two helicopters.

Resources successfully established a control line on the eastern side of the fire in Secret Canyon Tuesday, helping to stop the fire from spreading any further east.

Crews plan to spend today and the next several days working to hold control lines on the east side of the fire and work to suppress fire growth to the south. Rough and rocky terrain and steep cliff faces create challenges for on-the-ground fire suppression efforts.

The fire was first reported on May 20, but due to weather conditions, aerial resources were not able to confirm the fire until Monday, May 22. The cause of the fire is currently undetermined.

There are no structures threatened by the fire and smoke will remain visible.

The RRRD is working to implement trail closures for forest visitor safety, but until formal closure orders are issued, visitors are asked to avoid the fire area, including the Secret Mountain Loop Trails (Secret Canyon #121, David Miller #164, Bear Sign #59 and Dry Creek #52), the HS Canyon Trail #50 and Long Canyon Trail #122.

Prescribed fire operations resume on south zone of Kaibab National Forest, beginning May 24 on Marteen Rx Project

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WILLIAMS — A mixture of moisture and sunny weather have presented excellent conditions for prescribed burning to continue on both the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest. Starting Wednesday this week, treatments will resume on the Marteen Rx project located five miles northwest of Spring Valley and east of Red Hill.

Approximately 3000 acres remain on the Marteen project and fire managers hope to complete these last two blocks in two days. Crews may then move back to the Tusayan Ranger District to continue working on the Blue Stem Rx project located approximate 15 miles southeast of Tusayan.

As the Marteen burn resumes, smoke will be visible from Highway 180, State Route 64 near Howard Mesa, Valle, Red Lakes, and Spring Valley. Smoke is expected to transport northeast throughout the day, and then may settle on scene and to the south of Valle with light impacts to state route 64. This project is expected to be completed by Thursday afternoon.

Spring time weather patterns present beneficial opportunities for prescribed burning that help managers reach land management objectives while minimizing smoke impacts. Early seasonal breezes typically transport smoke away from sensitive areas rapidly which can often be more challenging at other times of the year.

All prescribed fires are subject to approval by an agency administrator, and by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program. To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
The Kaibab National Forest remains committed to providing the public with ongoing updates with as much advance notice as possible. Sign up to receive Kaibab NF news releases in your email.

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Prescribed fires help reduce hazardous fuels that have accumulated due to drought, climate change, insects and disease, and decades of fire suppression. Fire also recycles nutrients back to the soil, promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants, and improves habitat for threatened and endangered species. These efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

Additional information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the Fire Information Hotline at 928-635-8311 or contacting local ranger stations.

Resources monitoring quarter-acre Sedona-area fire

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SEDONA — Resources are monitoring a quarter-acre fire located in the Secret Mountain Wilderness of the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District.

The Miller Fire, which was confirmed at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 22, is smoldering at a low intensity in heavy dead and down fuels, and is located about 4.5 miles west of Slide Rock State Park (GPS coordinates: 34°57’21.2″N 111°50’05.6″W).

The fire was first reported on May 20, but due to weather conditions, aerial resources were not able to confirm the fire until this morning.

Due to the lack of accessibility and potential thunderstorms, resources are monitoring the fire and developing strategic plans.

There are no structures threatened by the fire and smoke may be visible.

Additionally, there are no road or trail closures in effect, but visitors are asked to avoid the fire area.

Run For The Wall runs through Williams

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WILLIAMS — The motorcycle riders of Run For The Wall arrived in Williams May 17 which is their traditional first stop of their ten-day trek to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Their goal is meet up with the riders of Rolling Thunder and participate in Memorial Day events. The goal of the groups is to bring awareness of those who gave their lives for their country and those still missing in action.

The riders were threatened with rain, but the rain held off until about 7 p.m. The group started arriving at about 5:00 p.m. with the main group arriving about twenty-minutes later. They stopped at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 for sustenance and rest provided by the Legion, local citizens and the Route 66 Young Marines.

While many people tend to take extra pains to thank Veterans for their service during the Memorial Day weekend, Northern Arizona Gazette would like to remind everyone that Memorial Day is a solemn day of respect for those who were killed during the many conflicts the United States has been involved in. We would prefer that you go to the local cemetery, find a Veteran’s grave and lay flowers. Veteran Service groups, such as the American Legion and Veterans Of Foreign Wars hold ceremonies that you can attend.


Northern Arizona Gazette has been following Run For The Wall since 2005. It is sad to note that over the years, less of our Vietnam Veteran brothers have been able to make the ride and many have passed. We are happy to report that younger Veterans from recent conflicts, such as Desert Storm and Afghanistan, have taken up the ride. About a hundred motorcycles participated in this leg of Run For The Wall. There are three routes that riders take.

After an overnight stay, the riders left promptly at 8 a.m. May 18. The weather was perfect for their send off.

Coconino NF in process of lifting many seasonal road closures, opening campgrounds and recreation sites

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest personnel are in the process of opening numerous forest roads as warmer weather hardens surfaces and roads become suitable for motorized travel.

Even though many forest roads across each district will be open by this weekend, there are still some that will remain closed due to wet and muddy conditions.

On the Flagstaff Ranger District, Ashurst Lake Road (Forest Road [FR] 82E), Marshall Lake Road (FR 128), and Kinnickinick Lake Road (FR 125) are all now open. All campgrounds on the district except Dairy and Double Springs and Lockett Meadow open today. As campgrounds reopen, many fees are changing to coincide with a new contract concessionaire operator, ExplorUS. Concessionaire-managed Coconino National Forest day-use sites are now $12 per vehicle and campground fees range from $24 to $30 per night. Group campground fees range from $95 to $175 per night. Fees have been updated accordingly on recreation.gov.

Lake Mary Narrows Boat Launch and Picnic Area and the Upper Lake Mary Boat Launch and Picnic Area will be free until Friday of Memorial Day Weekend (May 26). The Forest will begin collecting $10 fees per day after that date. Local and Interagency Passes, like the America the Beautiful and Red Rock Annual Passes, will also be honored at these sites.

The Mogollon Rim Ranger District opens forest roads north and west of State Route (SR) 87 and along the east side of the Lake Mary Road corridor today. All forest roads south and east of SR 87, and down to the Rim Road (FR 300) will remain closed until they dry out enough for safe travel. Elks Group Campground opens today, with additional campgrounds planned to open the first week of May.

Motorists should be prepared to encounter wet spots, areas of snowbanks and snow drifts on newly opened roads. Use caution before pulling off main roads to camp and refrain from creating deep ruts in areas of the road that are still wet.

Atypical moisture and strong winds have resulted in a significant number of downed trees as well as inaccessible roads throughout the Flagstaff and Mogollon Rim ranger districts.

Personnel will continue to monitor closed roads and will open them as soon as conditions are safe for travel.

Many lower elevation roads, such as those on the Red Rock Ranger District, are primarily open. This excludes roads impacted by recent significant flooding events as well as Fossil Creek Road (FR 708), which is being resurfaced.

Forest visitors are reminded to visit the Coconino National Forest’s Forest Roads Status web page for more information on which main roads throughout the forest are open and closed prior to planning any forest excursion.

The public should remember to only stay on open and authorized roads that are shown on the Motorized Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), which is free at any Ranger Station or can be downloaded on the Coconino National Forest website.

Spring prescribed fire operations to begin May 1 near Tusayan and Williams

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WILLIAMS — Fire managers on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest are planning to conduct prescribed fires throughout the spring as conditions allow, starting next week with the Reed Project located just east of Tusayan, Arizona.

Crews plan to begin ignitions Monday, May 1, burning up to 1,370 acres over the course of multiple days. Smoke may be visible from State Route 64, Tusayan, and the Grand Canyon and daytime winds should carry smoke northeast. Residual smoke will settle into drainages and low-lying areas around Tusayan overnight. The portion of the Arizona Trail that is nearby will remain open.

Other projects planned for this spring:

  • Marteen Project (4,200 acres): Located five miles northwest of Spring Valley, east of Red Hill. Smoke possible in the areas of Spring Valley Cabin and Forest Road 141.
  • Russell Project (509 acres) and Blue Stem Project (3,885 acres): Located on the eastern side of the Tusayan Ranger District, 15-20 miles northeast of State Route 64 and Red Butte near Russell Tank; Minimal smoke impacts are expected.

Exact ignition dates are unknown as burning is dependent upon daily agency administrator approval and conditions within the ranges outlined in each prescribed fire plan. However, we are committed to providing the public with ongoing updates and as much advance notice as possible. Sign up to receive Kaibab NF news releases in your email.

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Prescribed fires help reduce hazardous fuels that have accumulated due to drought, climate change, insects and disease, and decades of fire suppression. Fire also recycles nutrients back to the soil, promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants, and improves habitat for threatened and endangered species. These efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

We recognize that smoke can impact residents, visitors, and our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners and communities to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible. All prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest are subject to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program.

Information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the local ranger stations.

Coconino NF releases updated Motor Vehicle Use Map for forest travel

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest has released an updated Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) used to view forest roads, trails and areas open to motor vehicle use.

The 2023 version of the MVUM includes new information regarding Flagstaff- area camping and campfire restrictions. It also includes updates to several roads and trails in both the Flagstaff and Red Rock ranger districts for improved on-the-ground accuracy.

The MVUM is free to the public and is reissued each year. Hard copies can be obtained by visiting any Coconino National Forest office.

Digital versions of the map — an Avenza Maps version compatible with smartphones and tablets as well as a version dedicated to Garmin GPS devices — and compatible instructions are also available on the Coconino National Forest website.

The digital MVUM is an electronic color map that includes all designated motorized routes and hiking trails. It also features shaded relief topography and game management units. The Avenza map works with cellphone GPS, which enables users to see where they are on the map in real-time. Once downloaded, the digital map will work without cellphone coverage.

Forest visitors can also propose changes to motor vehicle access or submit comments regarding the map by emailing comments-southwestern-coconino@usda.gov.

Kaibab NF firewood permits start April 14 and May 1

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WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest will soon be offering personal-use fuelwood permits for the 2023 season. On the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts, the Forest Service will begin issuing permits Friday, April 14, 2023 and permit holders will be able to collect firewood Saturday, April 15 through April 14, 2024. On the North Kaibab Ranger District, permit sales and firewood collection will run from May 1 through December 31, 2023.

Paid Permits are $20 for 10 cords of wood (limit 20 cords per year) and can be purchased by check, credit card, money order, and cash with exact change. Cash and check purchases are generally faster than credit card. A valid ID is required to obtain a permit. A Free Permit is available for the Tusayan Ranger District and allows for gathering 10 cords of dead and/or down pinyon pine.

Details such as tree sizes and species will be outlined in the cutting regulations issued with each permit. Permit holders will also receive maps and load tags which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle.

Customers can obtain permits at the following offices. Office hours are listed on the Kaibab NF website; However, hours are subject to change and customers should call first.

For Williams District and Tusayan District permits:
Williams Ranger District Office, 742 S. Clover Road, Williams; 928-635-5600
Tusayan Ranger District Office, 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Tusayan; 928-638-2443

For North Kaibab District permits:
North Kaibab Ranger District Office, 430 S. Main St., Fredonia; 928-643-7395

It’s important to remember that many forest roads are extremely muddy and unsuitable to travel at this time; and may remain that way for the next several weeks. Regardless of the time of year, forest visitors are expected to use good judgement when traveling in the woods. Plan ahead, contact the district office for conditions, and remember that causing resource damage – such as ruts from driving on saturated roads – is illegal.

A wealth of information can be found on the Kaibab National Forest website, including additional details that will be added about the forest’s 2023 Firewood Permit Program.

Seasonal road closures still in place across Coconino NF

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest authorities would like to remind the public to stay off forest roads that are closed, and do not drive around gates, barricades, or signs that indicate a road is closed for the season.

Forest Service personnel have found broken locks on gates and tracks of drivers ignoring road-closed signs, which have created deep ruts and damaged forest roads and sensitive areas.

Coconino National Forest closes many forest roads every winter season in order to protect resources, watersheds, and forest roads from damage caused by even the lightest vehicles on soft, wet soil.

Damaging forest roads and areas costs valuable resources and personnel time to repair the damage after the roads dry out. It also prolongs road closures, which affects recreational opportunities in areas that must remain closed until repaired.

There is no set date by which districts on the forest close or re-open forest roads. Districts will re-open forest roads as the weather dries out and the soil on and around forest roads harden enough to safely accept the weight of vehicles.

When roads do begin to open, drivers are reminded that care should be taken when driving on the soil, and drivers should not continue driving on an open road if the vehicle begins to create deep ruts or otherwise damage the road or soil.

Remember to only stay on open and authorized roads that are shown on the Motorized Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), which is free at any Ranger Station or can be downloaded on a smartphone. More information about how to download the Avenza app and MVUM is available on our MVUM web page.

The smartphone map, available through the Avenza Maps app, transforms your phone to a GPS unit that can aid navigation, allow you to collect route data, and identify waypoints. The Coconino National Forest Travel Map includes additional detail and information, with shaded relief topography, game management units, hiking trails, and all designated motorized routes and areas. Once the map is downloaded, it works without cell coverage.

As an additional reminder before the camping season begins, camping is allowed on the national forest up to 14 days in a 30-day period. Camping beyond 14 days is prohibited.