GO Evacuations Ordered for South Garland Prairie

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COCONINO COUNTY – Due to the Rafael Fire and Forest Service mitigation efforts, the community of South Garland Prairie has been upgraded to a GO status. THIS IS AN EVACUATION ORDER. This includes the residences off of Boy Scout Camp Road, Arbor Lane, Thomas Loop Rd., Leisure Drive, Bluebird meadow Road, Dog Haven Place, Tanner Ranch Road, and other roads in that area. Finish gathering necessary items and leave the area immediately.

There is a shelter set up at Sinagua Middle School in Flagstaff. The address is 3950 E. Butler.

Rafael Fire operations will be conducting a backburn of the area north of Sycamore Canyon. This is done so fire crews can remove fuel in this area to create a buffer zone between the active fire and homes in the area. This area is in extreme draught conditions and fire can be unpredictable.

If you need assistance in evacuating, contact the Coconino County Emergency Operations Center at 928-679-8647.
Monitor CCSO and Coconino County social media and official news releases for additional information regarding the evacuation and re-entry.

Fire restrictions in effect across northern Arizona

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WILLIAMS — The City of Williams has made it official and, following the crowd, imposed the strictest fire restrictions. The flyer below is from the City of Williams web site. Unfortunately the drought this year is the worst we have seen with no moisture in the foreseeable future.

All forests will now be closed by Friday to any activity.

Full forest closure for the Prescott National Forest

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PRESCOTT — Due to fire danger, dry conditions, and persistent wildfire activity during a time when firefighting resources are scarce, the entirety of the Prescott National Forest will close for public safety, beginning Friday (June 25) at 8 a.m.

A full forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of the Prescott National Forest at any time. Those with private inholdings will be allowed access to their property, as well as personnel providing critical utility support and firefighters performing official duties. In addition, work on thinning and other forest and watershed restoration projects will cease.

Forest Service personnel will attempt to reach as many people as possible to begin vacating campsites and informing individuals who are currently camping in the forest. Campers and visitors should vacate their campsites before the closure begins, and the public should cancel any plans for visiting the Prescott National Forest for the next several weeks.

Though parts of the national forest may receive rain from sporadic storms over the next couple of weeks, this closure will not be rescinded until sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the risk of wildfire, and hot, dry weather conditions are no longer forecast. In short, this closure will continue until conditions are such that the closure can be lifted.

The violation of closures and fire restrictions carries a mandatory appearance in federal court, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months in prison, or both.

Arrest made in the death of a man in Forest Lakes

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-CCSO booking photo

FOREST LAKES – On June 19, 2021, Chad Lapointe of Winslow, AZ was arrested for 2nd Degree Homicide in the death of a man following an altercation while camping in Forest Lakes, AZ.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety responded to a report of an altercation in a camping area in Forest Lakes near the Mogollon Rim Visitor
Center. Upon arrival, the deputy was flagged down by a man and woman in a white truck near the entrance to the camping area. The man and woman were later identified as Chad Lapointe, 27, and
Simone Franklin, 25. They stated they had been camping with another male subject, identified as Simone’s brother, Brandon Franklin, 27.

As a result of the investigation, it was determined an altercation had occurred at the camp site. Through the investigation it was determined Chad and Simone had an altercation with Brandon at the camp site, during which Chad fought with Brandon. Brandon died on scene from injuries
sustained during the altercation.

As a result of the investigation, Chad was taken into custody and transported to the Coconino County Jail in Flagstaff where he was booked on the charge of 2nd Degree Homicide.

We would like to thank the Department of Public Safety for assisting deputies with the initial response. Further investigation into this case in ongoing by the Sheriff’s Office
and Medical Examiner’s Office.

County Enacts Stage 3 Fire Restrictions Beginning Wednesday at 8 a.m.

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FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County will be entering Stage 3 Fire Restrictions at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23, in coordination with the Kaibab and Coconino National Forest closures. This ordinance applies on County public lands, as well as private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County.

“In coordination with our regional partners and to mitigate the catastrophic damage of wildfire, Coconino County is enacting Stage 3 Fire Restrictions,” said Chairman of the Board Matt Ryan. “With this very active wildfire season, this move is the right decision. We need everyone to abide by these restrictions and appreciate everyone’s cooperation.”

A Stage 3 exemption allows for combustion, open fire, and campfire only when:

• Persons with a written permit or variance.
• For personal use of cigarette or other tobacco smoking medium when used inside an enclosed vehicle only.
• For emergency repair of public utilities and railroads and other health and safety mitigation measures when operated by a public utility or railroad and implemented in accordance with an approved agency plan.
• By any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting entity in the performance of an official duty.

Unless allowed by an exception above, there are no outdoor activities that allow for open fire, campfire, fireworks, and combustion events.

While activities that involve mechanical operations, such as lawn care, home construction, and community clean-ups are not specifically prohibited, residents and visitors should use their best judgment when considering whether to engage in any activity that could spark a fire. Anyone engaging in these activities could be held legally responsible.

Interested persons can view all current fire restrictions in Coconino County at coconino.az.gov/firerestrictions.

Full forest closure for the Kaibab National Forest to begin Wednesday morning

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WILLIAMS — Due to fire danger, dry conditions, and persistent wildfire activity during a time when firefighting resources are sparse, the entirety of the Kaibab National Forest will close for public safety, beginning Wednesday (June 23) at 8 a.m.

A full forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of the Kaibab National Forest at any time. Those with private inholdings will be allowed access to their property, as well as personnel providing utility support where necessary, and firefighters performing their duties. In addition, work on thinning and other forest and watershed restoration projects will cease.

Forest Service personnel will attempt to reach as many people as possible to begin vacating campsites and informing individuals who are camping in the forest currently. Campers and visitors to the national forest should vacate their campsites before the closure begins, and the public should cancel any plans for visiting the Kaibab National Forest for the next several weeks.

Though parts of the national forest may receive rain from sporadic storms over the next couple of weeks, this closure will not be rescinded until sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the risk of wildfire, and hot, dry weather conditions are no longer forecast to continue. In short, this closure will continue until conditions are such that the closure can be lifted.

Full closure of Coconino NF begins Wednesday

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FLAGSTAFF — Due to fire danger, dry conditions, and persistent wildfire activity during a time when firefighting resources are sparse, the entirety of Coconino National Forest will close for public safety, beginning Wednesday, June 23 at 8 a.m.

A full forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of Coconino National Forest at any time. Only those with private inholdings will be allowed access to their property, as well as personnel providing utility support where necessary, and firefighters performing their duties.

Forest Service personnel will attempt to reach as many people as possible to begin vacating campsites and informing individuals who are camping in the forest currently. Campers and visitors to the national forest should vacate their campsites before the closure begins, and the public should cancel any plans for visiting the Coconino National Forest for the next several weeks.

Though parts of the national forest may receive rain from sporadic storms over the next couple of weeks, this closure will not be rescinded until sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the risk of wildfire, and hot, dry weather conditions are no longer forecast to continue. In short, this closure will continue until conditions are such that the closure can be lifted.

Work on thinning and other forest and watershed restoration projects will cease. Partner agencies, organizations, concessionaires, outfitters, permit holders, and contractors, are all prohibited from entering the national forest.

Violating closures and fire restrictions is a violation that carries a mandatory appearance in federal court, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months in prison, or both.

Sheriff’s Office Evacuating Dispersed Camping Due to Rafael Fire

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FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is evacuating dispersed camping south of Forest Road 535 from the junction of Forest Road 231 road. The Sheriff’s Office is also evacuating dispersed camping in the Sycamore Canyon area.

Garland Prairie is reminded to be in READY. READY means Prepare Now. Make a family evacuation and communication plan that includes phone numbers, out-of-town contacts and family meeting locations. Build an emergency go kit with enough food, water, and necessary supplies for at least 72 hours.

Check with your neighbors, family, friends, and elders to ensure they are READY too. Register with the Coconino County Emergency Notification system at coconino.az.gov/ready

Backbone Fire at 6,000 acres; evacuation orders issued

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CAMP VERDE, Ariz., June 18, 2021 — Evacuation orders have been issued in communities surrounding the 6,000-acre Backbone Fire, which originated approximately 12 miles west of Pine and Strawberry, and 15 miles southeast of Camp Verde. The fire has moved across Fossil Creek with 0 percent containment.
Hot, dry and windy weather conditions have led to extreme fire behavior.
Evacuation orders are in place for residents and visitors of nearby areas such as Strawberry and Pine. Residents and visitors should contact their county or subscribe to emergency alerts for information regarding evacuation status.
State Route 260 is closed between Camp Verde and State Route 87. Motorists can contact the Arizona Department of Transportation or visit AZ511 for updates on road closures and traffic.
While there is electrical infrastructure in the area of the fire, APS does not anticipate a loss of service. However, APS may take lines out of service if needed to protect firefighters working on the fire. Nearby residents can visit the APS website or contact APS for outage information.
Rough and rocky terrain coupled with limited area access and extreme heat are creating challenges for the roughly 100 personnel assigned to the fire, which includes one Hotshot crew, one hand crew, one fuels module, three helicopters and miscellaneous overhead. The fire is currently 0 percent contained and more resources have been requested.
The Fossil Creek recreation area will be closed due to wildfire danger, which includes Waterfall Trail, Irving/Flume, Tonto Bench, Fossil Creek Bridge, Homestead, Sally May, Purple Mountain, and Mazatzal. Closures and other changes to recreation site status will be made available on the recreation page of the Coconino National Forest’s website.
The lightning-caused fire was first reported 11:30 p.m. June 16.

Storm Sparks Eight Fires on North End of Prescott National Forest

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  • Location: Eight different fires across the north end of the Chino Valley Ranger District
  • Start Date: 6/17/2021-6/18/2021
  • Size: Rock Butte -120 acres, Red Hat – 49 acres, Limestone – 33 acres, Silent – 26 acres, Rafael – 9 acres, Sandflat – 5 acres, Archibald – 3 acres, Hornet – 1 acre
    Percent Contained: Varies among fires
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Vegetation: Grass, Brush, and Pinyon juniper

Summary: Fire managers’ main objective today is determining access routes for the various fires. Yesterday they were able to put retardant on several of the fires. All of the fires were started by the lightning storm that passed through on Thursday. Due to the extreme drought conditions, all fires are being managed in a full suppression mode. Some of the fires are in remote locations and are being monitored via air until ground crews can gain access.
The Silent and Rock Butte Fires are just north of Paulden. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has issued a “ready status for the area north of Paulden . Under “ready” conditions, residents are asked to stay informed through local media and public safety officials. (https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff/ ).
Red Hat and Limestone Fires lie a few miles to the northwest of Paulden. The Rafael Fire lies about 2 miles north of Perkinsville; the Sand Flat, Archibald and Horney Fires lie 3-4 miles north of Perkinsville.

Resources: 1-Air Attack, 1-Type 3 Helicopter, 3-Engines, 2-Hotshot Crews, 1-Fire Crew

Weather: Hot very dry conditions through Sunday with temperatures peaking in the afternoons around 100 and overnight to early morning temps in the 60’s, relative humidity ranging from 10-30%, winds out of the East at 5 MPH, shifting in the afternoon to the West up to 20 mph. There is a 0% chance for precipitation to occur in the area.

Closures: None at this time.