Tag Archives: Cameron

Kaibab National Forest to offer firewood permits in Navajo and Hopi communities

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TUSAYAN — The Kaibab National Forest will offer free-use, paid personal-use and ceremonial firewood permits for the Tusayan Ranger District at a variety of locations in Navajo and Hopi communities over the next two months. These opportunities are part of the Kaibab National Forest’s ongoing effort to increase access to firewood for tribal members and communities.

Kaibab National Forest representatives will offer firewood permits on the specified days and times and at the following locations:

  • Friday, Sept. 13 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Tuba City, Flea Market
  • Saturday, Sept. 28 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Cameron, Cameron Celebration
  • Friday, Oct. 4 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. MST – Kykotsmovi Village, Honahnie Building
  • Friday, Oct. 18 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Tuba City, Flea Market
  • Saturday, Oct. 26 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Cameron, Chapter House

A permit must be acquired by anyone harvesting firewood on the Kaibab National Forest. The 2019 firewood season runs from May 1 to December 31 for the Tusayan Ranger District.

Each person, with proper identification, may obtain permits for up to 30 cords per season of combined paid-use and free-use firewood. Individuals may purchase up to two 10-cord paid-use firewood permits at a rate of $2 per cord, and may obtain one 10-cord free-use firewood permit. Ceremonial-use permits are also available, which authorize collection of two cords per individual.

The Kaibab National Forest has increased the amount of wood available to each person for purchase while reducing the cost per cord by crediting firewood cutting for the contribution it provides to forest restoration goals. By removing dead and down as well as small-diameter trees, firewood cutting can help improve forest health and reduce the risk of unnaturally severe wildfire.

It is important that a permit be acquired even for free-use areas because by tracking public demand for the various kinds of permits, the amount of wood removed, and other factors, forest managers are better able to plan for the future needs of firewood collectors and provide greater opportunities for accessing these important resources. Firewood from the Kaibab National Forest is frequently used by local community and tribal members for home heating, cooking and other critical purposes.

All firewood permits issued by the Kaibab National Forest will include a map and detailed cutting regulations as well as load tags, which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The goal of this load tagging system is to ensure accountability for the amount of wood removed from the forest and to inform planning for future firewood cutting areas to meet public need and forest restoration objectives.

The removal of firewood is permitted only from National Forest lands on the specific district for which the permit is issued. Firewood cutters are reminded to take note of property boundaries and cut only on National Forest lands.

Detailed firewood cutting information and maps are available on the Kaibab National Forest website at http://bit.ly/KNFfuelwood.

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

Kaibab National Forest to offer Tusayan Ranger District firewood permits in Tuba City and Cameron

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TUSAYAN – The Kaibab National Forest will issue free-use, paid personal-use and ceremonial firewood permits for the Tusayan Ranger District at the following locations in Tuba City and Cameron over the coming months:

· April 20 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Tuba City Flea Market
· May 5 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Location signs to be posted at Cameron Chapter House
· May 18 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Tuba City Flea Market
· June 2 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Location signs to be posted at Cameron Chapter House
· Aug. 17 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Tuba City Flea Market
· Sept. 21 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Tuba City Flea Market
· Oct. 12 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Cameron Community Celebration
· Oct. 19 – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Tuba City Flea Market

A permit must be acquired by anyone harvesting any firewood on the Kaibab National Forest, except for the small amounts used in a campfire and gathered at the campfire site. The 2018 firewood cutting season runs from April 16 to Dec. 31 for the Tusayan Ranger District.

The minimum cost for a paid, personal-use firewood permit is $20, which is good for 10 cords of wood. A maximum of 20 cords of wood is available per individual for $40. For free-use permits, a maximum of 10 cords is available per individual. For ceremonial permits, two cords are available per individual with proper identification.

Besides the Tuba City and Cameron opportunities, permits are also available during firewood season at the following Kaibab National Forest locations:

Williams Ranger District – 742 S. Clover Road, Williams; (928) 635-5600
Tusayan Ranger District – 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Grand Canyon; (928) 638-2443
North Kaibab Ranger District – 430 S. Main St., Fredonia; (928) 643-7395

It is important that a permit be acquired even for free-use areas because by tracking public demand for the various kinds of permits, the amount of wood removed, and other factors, forest managers are better able to plan for the future needs of firewood collectors and provide greater opportunities for accessing these important resources. Firewood from the Kaibab National Forest is frequently used by local community and tribal members for home heating, cooking and other critical purposes.

All permits issued by the Kaibab National Forest will include a map and detailed cutting regulations as well as load tags, which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The goal of this load tagging system is to ensure accountability for the amount of wood removed from the forest and to inform planning for future firewood cutting areas to meet public need and forest restoration objectives.

The removal of firewood is permitted only from National Forest lands on the district for which the permit is issued. Firewood cutters are reminded to take note of property boundaries and cut only on National Forest lands.

Firewood cutters should be aware that chainsaws can throw sparks and ignite grasses and brush. Always carry a shovel and a fire extinguisher or water in case of a fire start. Additionally, all chainsaws must be equipped with a stainless steel spark arrestor screen.

Given the dry winter, it is likely that fire restrictions will be implemented on the Kaibab National Forest during 2018. Visitors can help prevent unwanted-human caused wildfires by always being aware of current conditions and staying abreast of any fire restrictions or forest closures that may be in effect.

Detailed firewood cutting information and maps will be updated throughout the firewood season on the Kaibab National Forest website at www.bit.ly/KNFfuelwood.

Members of the public can find additional information on the Kaibab National Forest, including any fire restrictions or forest closures that may be in effect, through the following sources:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages.)
Kaibab website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

71-Year-Old Female from Cameron Found

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On Sunday, October 1st at approximately 8:30 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call that a female from Cameron had gotten separated from her family while picking pinon nuts on Grey Mountain. Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division and Navajo Police Department responded.

A search began Sunday night and continued through this morning. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue, Flagstaff Fire Department Fuels Crew, Navajo Police Department and the Navajo Rangers.

This morning at approximately 10:50 am, the Flagstaff Fire Department Fuels Crew search team assigned to a search segment, located a female with altered level of consciousness. Responders began treatment and she was transported by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue for medical evaluation and follow up.

The Sheriff’s Office thanks all the agencies that were involved in the search efforts.

Kaibab National Forest to offer Tusayan Ranger District fuelwood permits in Tuba City and Cameron

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TUSAYAN – The Kaibab National Forest will issue free-use, paid personal-use and ceremonial fuelwood permits for the Tusayan Ranger District at the following events in Tuba City and Cameron:

September 29, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. DST – Tuba City Flea Market
October 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. MST – Cameron Community Celebration

A permit must be acquired by anyone harvesting any fuelwood on the Kaibab National Forest, except for the rather small amounts used in a campfire and gathered at the campfire site. The 2017 firewood cutting season runs from May 1 to December 31 for the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts and from May 1 to November 30 for the North Kaibab Ranger District.

The minimum cost for a personal use fuelwood permit is $20, which is good for four cords of wood. A maximum of six cords of wood is available for $30. For free-use permits, a maximum of four cords is available. These cord limits are per household, not individual. For ceremonial fuelwood permits, however, two cords are available per individual.

Besides the September 29 and October 13 Tuba City and Cameron events, fuelwood permits are also regularly available at the following Kaibab National Forest locations:

Williams Ranger District – 742 S. Clover Road, Williams; (928) 635-5600
Tusayan Ranger District – 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Grand Canyon; (928) 638-2443
North Kaibab Ranger District – 430 S. Main St., Fredonia; (928) 643-7395

All permits issued will include a map and detailed cutting regulations as well as load tags, which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The goal of this load tagging system is to ensure accountability for the amount of wood removed from the forest. The removal of fuelwood is permitted only from National Forest lands on the district for which the permit is issued. Fuelwood cutters are reminded to take note of property boundaries and cut only on National Forest lands. Fuelwood cutters should be aware that chainsaws can throw sparks and ignite grasses and brush. Always carry a shovel and a fire extinguisher or water in case of a fire start. Additionally, all chainsaws must be equipped with a stainless steel spark arrestor screen. Detailed firewood cutting information and maps for each ranger district are available on the Kaibab National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/kaibab/fuelwood.

ADOT completes US 89 improvements in Cameron

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cameron-1CAMERON — US 89 through the Navajo Nation community of Cameron has a wider roadway, two new bridges over the Little Colorado River, a modern roundabout at the junction with State Route 64, and underpasses for people and livestock thanks to a recently completed Arizona Department of Transportation project.

“Traffic safety and mobility are ADOT’s top priorities,” said Audra Merrick, district engineer for ADOT’s North Central District. “In addition to keeping motorists safer with a wider highway and new lighting, the people of Cameron have better mobility with new sidewalks and underpasses that provide connection on both sides of US 89.”

The $36.7 million project began in March 2014.

The four-mile, four-lane stretch of US 89 in Cameron, about 50 miles north of Flagstaff, features a raised median to enhance safety as well as four underpasses.

An older truss bridge at the Little Colorado River has also been replaced by separate bridges for northbound and southbound traffic. The new bridges meet all current state and federal standards, and can carry more traffic.

A modern roundabout built to accommodate large vehicles provides an interchange for those using SR 64 to or from the eastern entrance to Grand Canyon National Park or taking US 89 as the gateway to or from the Page/Lake Powell region, Arizona Strip, southern Utah, Four Corners area and other points of interest.

Rock Fire on Tusayan Ranger District growing due to dry conditions

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Overview of fire looking southeast. Photo taken Aug. 7, 2015, by Brandon Oberhardt. U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.

Overview of fire looking southeast. Photo taken Aug. 7, 2015, by Brandon Oberhardt. U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.

TUSAYAN — Dry conditions over the last few days have led to increasing activity on a lightning-caused wildfire on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. The 1,581-acre Rock Fire is growing within boundaries established for it and is being managed for multiple objectives including allowing natural fire to play its role as a disturbance factor in the ecosystem, enhancing wildlife habitat, improving forest health, and reducing the potential for future high-intensity wildfires. There are no closures associated with the Rock Fire.

The Rock Fire, which was started by lightning July 31, is located south of the Coconino Rim about 15 miles southeast of the Town of Tusayan and is burning at a low-to-moderate level of intensity through an area dominated by ponderosa pine trees.

Fire managers plan to allow the wildfire to take its natural course within predefined boundaries in order to help restore ecological balance across the landscape. Over the last few days, firefighters completed burn out operations along Forest Road 316 in anticipation of the wildfire’s growth in that direction. FR 316 serves as the eastern boundary of the planning area within which the Rock Fire will be held.

Today firefighters conducted burn out operations along FR 2762, which serves as the western boundary of the planning area, in advance of the fire’s natural spread. This will ensure fire managers are able to keep the Rock Fire within pre-determined perimeters over the next several days as dry conditions in the forecast indicate that the wildfire will be active. Firefighters also continue to prepare for the fire’s likely spread by lining archaeological sites, range fences, trick tanks, and any other potentially fire-sensitive resources near the fire area. This important work ensures that as the Rock Fire grows, it won’t negatively impact other values in the area.

Given dry conditions in the forecast for the next few days, the Rock Fire is expected to burn actively and produce smoke that is visible from Cameron, Tuba City, Valle and Highway 64.

US 89 narrowed to one lane north of the Gap and south of SR 64 Junction beginning Monday

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US 89 will be narrowed to one lane north of the Gap and south of the SR 64 Junction in Cameron (milepost 510 to 460) from today to Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pavement marker installation work will be a moving operation, utilizing a three-mile restriction. The restriction is required to allow Arizona Department of Transportation crews to install pavement markers on the roadway.

During installation, delays of up to 15 minutes can be anticipated. A pilot car will allow for alternating travel through the work zone. Please allow for extra travel time during construction and be alert while traveling through the work zone.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1.

US 89 restrictions starting Tuesday south of Gray Mountain for start of roadway widening and passing lane project

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FLAGSTAFF/CAMERON — Restrictions for both north- and southbound travel on US 89 just south of Gray Mountain between Flagstaff and Cameron (milepost 452 to 455) will begin daily, starting on Tuesday (July 21) to Saturday (July 25) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The restriction will accommodate installation of temporary concrete barriers and shoulder work in preparation for a $2.8 million roadway improvement project.

The improvement project includes widening of US 89 through the project area, installation of a new passing lane for northbound travel, drainage extensions and new pavement resurfacing. This project is scheduled to be constructed in two phases, with the first phase to be completed mid-December, 2015.

During this phase of construction, lane restrictions can be anticipated, however one lane of travel in both directions will be allowed during most of the construction schedule. Please observe reduced speed limits and allow for extra travel time while traveling through the work zone.

US 89 improvement project south of Page starts June 1

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PAGE — Motorists traveling on US 89 between Cameron and Page should allow for extra travel time as the Arizona Department of Transportation makes improvements to an eight-mile stretch of roadway from Gray Spot Wash to North Red Hill (mileposts 510-517), just south of the US 89/US 89A junction near Bitter Springs.

Beginning on Monday, June 1, the two-lane highway will be reduced to one lane and traffic will alternate through the work zone with the aid of a pilot car. During the one-lane restriction, delays of up to 30 minutes are possible.

In addition to resurfacing the pavement throughout the entire project length, ADOT will construct new passing lanes for north- and southbound travel (mileposts 514-515), widen the shoulders and reinforce bank protection at Tanner Wash.

The $6.9 million improvement project in Coconino County is scheduled to be completed this fall.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from early morning hours to sunset. No nighttime, weekend or holiday construction is anticipated.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.

Tusayan Ranger District fuelwood permits available in Cameron

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TUSAYAN — The Kaibab National Forest will issue free-use, paid personal-use and ceremonial fuelwood permits for the Tusayan Ranger District out of the Forest Service office in Cameron, which is located just south of the Cameron Chapter House, beginning this month. The fuelwood permits will be available out of the Cameron office from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. Daylight Savings Time on the following dates:

  • April 23
  • May 15
  • June 11
  • July 16
  • Aug. 13
  • Sept. 10
  • Oct. 8
  • Oct. 29
  • Nov. 12
  • Nov. 19
  • Dec. 10
  • Dec. 17

Permits are also available at the Tusayan Ranger District office, 176 Lincoln Log Loop in Tusayan, (928) 638-2443, during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Permits will be issued for dead and down (dead standing and downed trees) and green fuelwood cutting. Dead and down permits are sold for $5 per cord. Green permits are $10 per cord. There is a minimum purchase of $20 per permit. Cords will be sold in increments to meet the $20 minimum. Free-use permits will also be issued for the removal of downed wood within designated areas. A maximum of six cords (combined) of paid fuelwood may be purchased per household. An additional four cords of free-use fuelwood may also be issued.

The Kaibab National Forest has a policy for providing free forest products to Native Americans for traditional and cultural uses. A permit is required for the collection of fuelwood for ceremonial purposes. Detailed information about the policy is available on the Kaibab National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/kaibab/fuelwood or by contacting Mae Franklin at (928) 679-2037 or mfranklin@fs.fed.us. Ceremonial use permits are only available on the Kaibab National Forest during fuelwood season, so interested individuals should ensure they get them prior to the close of the season.

Visitors to the Kaibab National Forest are reminded to always be extremely careful with fire. Fuelwood cutters should be aware that chainsaws can throw sparks and ignite grasses and brush. Always carry a shovel and a fire extinguisher or water in case of a fire start. Additionally, all chainsaws must be equipped with a stainless steel spark arrestor screen. Cutters should check with forest offices periodically for information about the implementation of fire restrictions. For additional information on permits available out of the Forest Service office in Cameron, please contact Mae Franklin at (928) 679-2037 or mfranklin@fs.fed.us.