FILE PHOTO
Tuesday through Friday the chance of thunderstorms continues ranging from 40% to 50% chance. There is a 30% chance on Saturday.
Temperatures are expected to cool slightly dropping from the low 80s to the upper 70s and there are no excessive winds predicted for the period. The forecast for Flagstaff is almost identical to Williams with slightly cooler temperatures overnight.
PHOENIX — )The Arizona, New Mexico, El Paso Region of American Red Cross has consolidated all existing chapter social media pages into one regional page per social media channel effective July 4, 2018. The purpose is to create a greater impact and provide the most value to our online audiences. Twitter will provide breaking news on our disaster response and preparedness activities while Facebook will focus on volunteers carrying out the Red Cross mission. Over the weekend we will discontinue posting on the previously recognized social media accounts and shift ALL Red Cross social media content to the new regional accounts. We thank you for being great partners in helping us create a stronger community.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: @AmRedCrossSW
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 Forest Service photo
Due to the success of the suppression efforts in limiting the wildfire’s spread, the evacuation of Kaibab Lake Campground on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has been lifted. Campers may return to the campground immediately.
Fire resources remain on scene and will continue working through the evening toward containment of the Prairie Dog Fire.
The wildfire began on private property and moved onto the Kaibab National Forest. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.
For more information, reference the following sources:
Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
WILLIAMS – While the Prairie Dog fire was being fought, an injury accident occurred at about mile post 158 on westbound I-40 in the construction zone. A worker was run over by a piece of construction equipment injuring his leg. Lifeline ambulance requested assistance from Williams Fire Department shortly after the Prairie Dog fire was out. Williams Fire Department Rescue 1 responded and Guardian launched a helicopter. Condition of the injured person is unknown.
FLAGSTAFF – On July 2, 2018 at approximately 1:15 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a climbing accident at Oak Creek Vista off of State Route 89A. Multiple agencies responded to assist in the rescue of the injured climber.
A 57-year-old male from Tucson, AZ had sustained a back injury when he fell approximately 20 feet at the end of his rappel. Due to the location of the patient and the nature of his injuries, Search and Rescue established a technical rope system to lower a rescuer and basket litter to the patient. Highlands Fire and Guardian Medical personnel had hiked to the patient’s location to provide initial treatment and help prepare the patient to be raised by the rope system. The Search and Rescue litter attendant and the patient were then raised via a mechanical advantage rope system to the top of the canyon and carried out to the waiting ambulance. The patient was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
Thank you to Highlands Fire District, Guardian Medical Transport, and Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit.
WILLIAMS – The Kaibab National Forest and Williams Fire Department are responding to the 2-acre Prairie Dog Fire located just north of Interstate 40 about a mile east of the City of Williams and west of Highway 64.
Due to the potential for the wildfire to grow, the Williams Police Department is evacuating Kaibab Lake Campground and asking visitors to stay clear of the area while fire suppression efforts continue. No additional structures are threatened at this time.
Fire resources on scene include five engines, one dozer, two water tenders and several individual firefighting personnel. The Flagstaff Hotshot crew is en route and a helicopter has arrived.
The wildfire began on private property and has moved onto the Kaibab National Forest. The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.
In case you forgot, rain looks something like this.
Whether or not it will be enough to break the drought remains to be seen.
FLAGSTAFF –– All Coconino County offices will be closed Wednesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
While the administrative offices at the Sheriff’s Office will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, records will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please dial 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 928-774-4523 to connect with the non-emergency dispatch number or to leave a message for one of the administrative offices.
Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Animal Management will have an officer available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. Contact the CCPHSD Animal Management office at 928-679-8756 and leave a message and an officer will respond. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Coconino County’s parks and natural areas will remain open during the holiday, but administrative offices at Fort Tuthill County Park will be closed and limited staff or services will be available. The Fort Tuthill Bike Park is open. The public is encouraged to visit one of the County’s parks for a morning run, afternoon hike or to view local wildlife.
The County remains in Stage Three Fire Restrictions below the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and the use of fireworks is prohibited throughout the County. For more information on restrictions go www.coconino.az.gov/ready.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Parks & Recreation is hosting the 69th annual Coconino County Fair, on Labor Day Weekend, August 31 – September 3, at Fort Tuthill County Park. The Fair is a community event where people exhibit animals and handcrafts. There are also various entertainment acts, carnival rides and games.
Starting July 1, fairgoers can purchase early bird Coconino County Fair admission tickets and carnival wristbands for a discounted rate at coconinocountyfair.com. The promotion ends July 31. Discounted carnival wristbands are available until they are sold out.
Early bird admission tickets will be $5 each for adults and $3 each for youth (ages 6 – 12) and seniors (65 and older). Kids, 5 and under, are not charged admission at the Fair. Carnival wristbands, which allow people to ride unlimited carnival rides for one day, will be $25 each, while supplies last. There is a limit of ten wristbands that can be purchased at one time.
To enter exhibits such as artwork, photography, crafts, homegrown vegetables and flowers, clothing, quick breads, cookies, cherry pies, candies, preserved foods, quilts and more, go to coconinocountyfair.com. Entries are free except for livestock. Participants will compete for red, white or blue ribbons with special awards, including cash prizes.
The 2018 Fair Book is now online for people to view categories and enter their exhibit information. There are a limited number of printed Fair Books available at the Parks and Recreation Administration office or participating locations in Coconino County.
For more information on the County Fair go to coconinocountyfair.com or call the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department at 928-679-8000.