Category Archives: News

New ranger selected for Red Rock Ranger District

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Amy Tinderholt – Coconino National Forest Photo

SEDONA — The Coconino National Forest Supervisor has selected a new ranger for the Red Rock Ranger District after Nicole Branton moved earlier this month to serve as the deputy forest supervisor on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington.

Amy Tinderholt was selected as the permanent ranger for the district and comes from Deschutes National Forest in Bend, Oregon, where she left her position as the deputy district ranger of the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District.

“We’re very excited to welcome Amy to northern Arizona,” said Coconino National Forest Supervisor Laura Jo West. “She will be a tremendous asset to the Red Rock Ranger District and brings with her a wealth of experience, positive outlook, and a fresh perspective of the issues in such a busy district.”

Tinderholt is a graduate from the University of Arizona and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management. She is a seasoned leader, specializing in recreation endeavors and partnerships, and experienced in firefighting.

“I am excited about returning to the southwest and hiking in our beautiful landscapes,” said Tinderholt. “The Red Rock Ranger District is an exciting place to be, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as its ranger.”

The District is comprised of approximately 487,000 acres and encompasses the Sedona area and its colorful collection of buttes, pinnacles, mesas and canyons surrounding the red rock vistas. Over the years, the district has served as the setting of many western novels, movies, paintings, photographs and other works of art.

ADOT: No highway closures over Labor Day Weekend

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PHOENIX – Arizona drivers can look ahead to open highways and no scheduled construction closures over Labor Day weekend. The Arizona Department of Transportation and contractors will not schedule any construction or maintenance-related closures along state highways between Friday afternoon and late Monday, September 2.

Motorists should still plan ahead and expect heavy traffic during peak travel times on highways to and from popular destinations, including the state’s high country and California beaches.

ADOT also will work with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and local first responders in clearing crashes, disabled vehicles or other incidents that can cause travel delays.

Drivers have the most important role in keeping highways safe at all times, including holiday weekends. Motorists should focus on safe driving behavior, including using seat belts, obeying speed limits, avoiding distractions and not allowing impaired people to get behind the wheel. Being prepared for changing weather conditions, including blowing dust and potentially heavy rain, is another important safety measure as the summer travel season winds down.

Last year, nine people were killed in eight fatal crashes on Arizona roadways, including local streets, over Labor Day weekend. Four of those fatal crashes involved alcohol.

ADOT will position personnel and equipment in areas along heavily traveled highways during peak times this weekend, including I-17 and State Route 87 north of the Phoenix area. Those crews will be prepared to assist AZDPS troopers and local emergency responders in clearing travel lanes if crashes or other incidents occur.

While no weekend closures are scheduled along state highways during the Labor Day period, motorists should be prepared to slow down and merge safely in existing improvement project work zones.

Free Wood Cutting Opportunity at Game and Fish Wildlife Area

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FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has authorized by permit only, fuel wood cutting and removal on the Lamar Haines Wildlife Area (LHWA).

The permits, which are free to the public, help to decrease the threat of a catastrophic wild fire, protect the area’s unique cultural and historical value and to improve the area’s wildlife habitat. The LHWA is located approximately three miles up Snow Bowl Road northwest of Flagstaff.

The public can only obtain a permit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s (AZGFD) Flagstaff regional office at 3500 Lake Mary Road. The wood cutting season opens Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 15.

Anyone obtaining a permit must adhere to several requirements:

● All permit holders must sign an agreement and waiver of liability forms and carry the agreement form with them while cutting, gathering, and transporting firewood.
● Fuel wood cutting is for personal use only and the wood may not be sold. The permit is only issued for the LHWA and does not include other department wildlife areas, public, or private lands.
● Vehicle access is authorized only within the LHWA while actively engaged in wood cutting and gathering, no off-road driving is allowed.
● Fuel wood cutting is only for dead and down wood, no live standing or dead standing wood may be cut.
● All permit holders must be 18 years or older.

“The department has decided to provide this unique opportunity in an effort to maintain a healthy wildlife area, while giving the public the chance to collect free firewood,” said Rob Nelson, AZGFD habitat program manager. “There is a lot of dead and downed wood at Lamar Haines and we need help removing it.”

More detailed directions to LHWA will be available when obtaining the wood cutting permit.

The LHWA is owned by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and consists of approximately 160 acres of relatively undeveloped old-growth forest and wet meadow.

The property was originally patented under the Homestead Act by Ludwig Veit in 1892, and purchased by the Jenks family in 1928. It was acquired by the department in 1948 as a water source for wildlife on the southwest slope of Agassiz Peak.

Currently, the property is a valuable wildlife area located in old growth forest habitat.

Last chance: Space still available for “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” workshop

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PRESCOTT — There are still a few spots available for the “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” (BOW) workshop on September 6-8 at Friendly Pines Camp near Prescott.

The program introduces women to outdoors skills in an enjoyable, non-threatening environment with expert instructors. Classes include horsemanship, rappelling, wilderness medicine, birding, hiking, archery, fly and warmwater fishing, paddling a kayak, and shotgun/rifle/pistol shooting, among more than 30 others.

Evenings and mornings are filled with fun and entertainment, including bird walks, yoga, fly tying, night fishing and presentations. Participants stay in rustic cabins, but there are showers and bathrooms in each cabin, and a central dining hall for meals.

Class materials, food and lodging are all included in the $275 registration fee (horsemanship and ropes challenge are $50 extra each).

The program is sponsored by the Arizona Wildlife Federation in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

For more information and to register, visit https://azwildlife.org/bow or contact Kim at (480) 201-7456 or Linda at (623) 979-4612.

Elk workshop at Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area scheduled for October 5

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PINETOP — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is again partnering with the Arizona Elk Society White Mountain Chapter (AES) to offer an elk natural history and viewing workshop Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area near Eagar.

Workshop presentations will begin at 11 a.m. and are followed by an early dinner AES. Maps will be provided to nearby areas with likely elk viewing opportunities. Sipe Wildlife Area has several hiking trails where you might see elk or other wildlife.

Late September to early October is breeding season, making it the best time of year to view local elk. The bulls will bugle as they battle to gather cow elk into harems and it is truly an awesome time of year to experience this unique wildlife event.

The workshop will be limited to 150 participants and costs $20 per person for each reservation. The dinner is a fundraiser for the AES, whose mission is to enhance the quality of wildlife habitat as well as teaching our next generation the importance of being responsible stewards of our national heritage our great outdoors.

Dinner will include a hamburger, side and dessert. Water and refreshments will also be provided. Children must be at least 12 years old to participate.

Workshop topics covered include:

  • Elk natural history
  • Elk management in Arizona
  • History of Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area
  • How to choose the best optics for wildlife viewing or hunting
    Elk calling
  • Wildlife Photography by AZGFD photographer George Andrejko OR
  • How to get started hunting by AES​​​​​​​

Directions to Sipe
Take Highway 191 south to Eagar towards Alpine; you’ll see the turnoff signs just two miles outside of Eagar. Follow the graded dirt road, suitable for passenger cars, about five miles to the property.

Additional information
If you plan on looking for elk after the workshop, please wear long pants and hiking/comfortable shoes. Participants might be walking distances of a quarter-mile or more in low light conditions.

Be prepared for a cool night and possible rain; layering would be best. Also, try to wear dark or camo clothing. White or bright clothes will alert wildlife when participants are near. Bring a headlamp or flashlight, binoculars or spotting scope if you have one, a camera and water.

For more information contact Diane Tilton at the Arizona Game and Fish Pinetop Office at (928) 532-3691 or email dtilton@azgfd.gov. To register for the event, visit www.arizonaelksociety.org.

New mobile app with hourly air quality forecasts for certain Arizona cities

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) launched new hourly forecasts for Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Nogales and surrounding areas on the Air Arizona mobile app. These forecasts can be used to help residents and visitors better plan their outdoor activities through the day to minimize the impacts of air pollution.

“A team of meteorologists at ADEQ creates the hourly forecasts every morning,” said acting Air Quality Division Director Daniel Czecholinski. “Our meteorologists provide expertise on the factors that affect air quality, producing a more accurate picture of how it fluctuates through the day and impacts people’s daily lives and that of their families.”
Available in English and Spanish, Air Arizona provides information for the following areas of the state:

Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Nogales and surrounding areas

  • Hourly air quality forecasts for the next 5 days
  • Alerts sent to your device’s home screen when a High Pollution Advisory or Health Watch is in effect
  • Tips for how you can help improve air quality | 5 Things You Can Do To Help Improve Air Quality

Globe/Miami and Hayden/Winkelman

  • Air quality forecasts, alerts and notifications sent to your device’s home screen for pollutants emitted during mineral processing activities
  • Pollution reduction efforts
  • Historical pollution data

Red Cross Offers Safety Tips as Students Are Back in School

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PHOENIX — The school bells are calling students back to the classroom and the American Red Cross wants to make sure your student is safe as they head back to school for the upcoming year.

“While safety is a top priority for all students, there are special steps for parents of younger kids and those headed to school for the first time,” said Jim Gilloon, Regional Communication Manager, “Make sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 9-1-1. Teach children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.”

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

  • If children ride a bus to school, they should plan to get to their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive. Cross the street at the corner, obey traffic signals and stay in the crosswalk.
  • Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
  • Teach your student to board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has instructed them to get on.
  • Kids should board their bus only, never an alternate one.
  • Make sure your student always stays in clear view of the bus driver and never walks behind the bus.

GETTING TO SCHOOL BY CAR, BIKE, ON FOOT

  • If children go to school in a car, they should always wear a seat belt. Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8-12 and over 4’9”), and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
  • If a teenager is going to drive to school, parents should mandate that they use seat belts. Drivers should not text or make calls use their cell phone and should avoid eating or drinking while driving.
  • Some students ride their bike to school. They should always wear a helmet and ride on the right in the same direction as the traffic is going.
  • When children are walking to school, they should only cross the street at an intersection, and use a route along which the school has placed crossing guards.
  • Parents should walk young children to school, along with children taking new routes or attending new schools, at least for the first week to ensure they know how to get there safely. Arrange for the kids to walk to school with a friend or classmate.

DRIVERS, SLOW DOWN!

Drivers should be aware that children are out walking or biking to school and slow down, especially in residential areas and school zones. Motorists should know what the yellow and red bus signals mean. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off.

Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. This includes two and four-lane highways. If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.

PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES Know what the emergency plan is at your child’s school in case a disaster or an unforeseen event occurs. Develop a family emergency plan so everyone will know who to contact and where to go if something happens while children are at school and parents are at work. Details are available at redcross.org/prepare.

TAKE A FIRST AID CLASS The Red Cross First Aid App provides instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies whether it be before, during or after school. Download the app for free by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps. Learn and practice First Aid and CPR/AED skills by taking a course (redcross.org/takeaclass) so you can help save a life.

Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus

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FLAGSTAFF -– Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) officials found mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in an area south of Lake Mary Road in Flagstaff. This is the first positive WNV in mosquitoes in Coconino County this year. No human cases have been reported in Coconino County since 2010 when two human cases were identified.

CCHHS staff has applied a non-toxic larvicide treatment to reduce mosquito populations in water pools in the affected area and in other locations in the County. CCHHS will continue trapping and testing mosquitoes in areas where there is mosquito activity until colder weather returns. Although this is the only area where mosquitoes have tested positive this year, WNV is endemic and could be present in other areas throughout the County.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or PMD–the synthesized version of oil of lemon eucalyptus—and IR3535 typically provide reasonably long-lasting protection.

People are encouraged to take the following precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

· Mosquitoes that carry WNV are most active at dusk and dawn. Stay indoors during these times or wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoor.
· Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
· Use air conditioning, if available.
· Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs near your home. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.

People should continue these preventive measures until cold weather returns and mosquito activity diminishes in the fall.

There is no specific treatment for WNV other than supportive care, and there is no vaccine available for humans. A WNV vaccination is available for horses. CCHHS encourages horse owners to discuss vaccinations with their veterinarian.

For more information or to report any concerns, call the Coconino County Health and Human Services Environmental Health office at 928-679-8750 or toll free 1-877-679-7272.

Flagstaff area drivers should plan for overnight closures of McConnell Drive under Interstate 17

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FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation advises Flagstaff drivers who use McConnell Drive to plan for a full overnight road closure next week beginning tonight, while crews continue work to replace the McConnell Bridge on I-17/SR 89A.

McConnell Drive under I-17 will be closed in both directions nightly from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., beginning Monday, August 19,through the morning of Friday, August 23.

Motorists should follow signed detour routes and plan for travel delays.

The project involves a full bridge deck replacement, bridge widening and sidewalk construction on the north side of McConnell Drive and is scheduled in three phases over two years with completion scheduled for fall 2020.

Seeking Public Information Regarding Two Investigations

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FLAGSTAFF – On Saturday, August 17, 2019 Deputies responded to the area of Hwy 89A near milepost 389, the area commonly referred to as the switchbacks of Oak Creek Canyon, for a report of a recovered stolen vehicle. That same day Detectives responded to a deceased elderly male near the area the vehicle was located. Detectives are working to identify the deceased male.

At this point in the investigations, it is unknown if the two are connected. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from the public that may assist in the investigations.

The vehicle is described as a 2006 Silver Hyundai Sonata passenger car with an Arizona State flag front license plate. A photograph of the actual vehicle is attached to this release.

The Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone who traveled Hwy89A between Sedona and Flagstaff Friday night through Saturday morning to please contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 928-226-5087.

Due to the ongoing investigations, no further details are available at this time.