Tag Archives: Coconino National Forest

County and Coconino NF seek advisory committee members

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FLAGSTAFF — The County and Coconino National Forest are seeking candidates to fill vacancies on the Coconino Resource Advisory Committee (RAC), which will review and recommend projects to the forest supervisor that benefit national forest land in Coconino County.

The committee will be comprised of 15 members who represent a particular set of interests, and members must commit to serving a full term of four years—meeting only a handful of times annually. Committee members are volunteers and do not receive pay.

Current vacancies on the Coconino RAC include seats which represent the following interests listed in the Secure Rural School Act and reauthorized by Congress:

· Organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester
· Developed outdoor recreation
· Off-highway vehicle users
· Energy and mineral development interests
· Commercial timber industry
· Federal grazing permittees or other land use permittees
· Nationally, regionally, or locally recognized environmental organizations
· Dispersed recreational activities
· Archaeological and historical interests
· Nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro groups
· County or local-elected officials
· State-elected officials
· American Indian tribes
· School officials or teachers
· The public-at-large

National forests which fall within Coconino County that the committee would consider projects for include the Coconino, Kaibab, as well as parts of the Prescott and Apache-Sitgreaves national forests.

“We’re looking for people with energy and commitment to the long-term benefit of our national forests, who also are interested in working with a diverse array of interests represented on the committee,” said Laura Jo West, forest supervisor for the Coconino National Forest.

Under the Secure Rural Schools Act, federal payments to states and counties were reauthorized in April 2015 and will be allocated according to the amount of national forest land in the county and other factors. These funds can be used for projects that enhance forest ecosystems and restore and improve land health and water quality.

Any Arizona resident interested in serving on the committee must complete an application form that will be used for a required background check. Applications are available at Forest Service offices in the Coconino National Forest, and online at http://tinyurl.com/CoconinoRAC.

Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. September 2, 2016 and must be mailed or dropped off, with original signature, to Coconino National Forest, Attn: Brady Smith, Resource Advisory Committee, 1824 S. Thompson St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Scanned copies cannot be submitted.

For more information, call Brady Smith, the Coconino National Forest public affairs officer, at (928) 527-3490, or email him at bradysmith@fs.fed.us. For more information on RACs, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/srs/.

Point Wildfire is currently burning in Munds Mountain Wilderness

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sedona-point-fire-1SEDONA — The lightning-caused Point Wildfire is currently burning in Munds Mountain Wilderness on Munds mesa, which is located east of State Highway 179 and south of Sedona and Schnebly Hill road.

The fire is estimated at 190 acres and was ignited following several lighting storms that came through the area mid-week.

“Today we are focusing on stopping the northern progression of the wildfire,” said Nicole Branton, Red Rock District ranger. “This fire is in very difficult terrain that is dangerous to firefighting personnel, so we can expect to see smoke over the next several days as it continues to burn in areas that firefighters cannot access. Firefighter safety is our primary concern along with containing the fire on top of the mesa to prevent further spread into surrounding canyons.”

Smoke will also be visible from various parts of the Verde Valley and along Interstate 17 while firefighters work to contain the fire over the next few days.

Air attack helicopters and planes along with 55 firefighters are working to help slow progress across the mesa and to reduce its chance of moving into side canyons. Drones cannot be flown over or near the fire, as doing so will cease operations that are fighting the fire with water drops from the air.

For public and fire fighter safety, the public is asked to acknowledge the closure area of Munds Mountain Trail and Jack Canyon Trail.

Fee-Free Weekend: Independence Day, July 2-4, 2016

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FLAGSTAFF — The Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest will waive fees associated with many recreation sites and amenities July 2-4, 2016 in honor of Independence Day.

As part of this event, fees will be waived for all Red Rock Pass Fee Program sites including Palatki, Honanki, V Bar V cultural sites, and multiple trailheads.

Campgrounds and recreation sites managed by concessionaires are not included in this event. These sites include Grasshopper Point, Crescent Moon Ranch, and Call of the Canyon.

See full details and the complete list of 2016 Fee-Free Days on the Coconino National Forest.

Registration required: No
Sponsor url: 2016 fee-free days

Sponsor Contact: Red Rock Ranger District
Phone: 928-203-2900

Mount Elden will have 27 acres of forest hand-thinned

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fseprd505663FLAGSTAFF — As part of the Flagstaff Water Protection Project, Coconino National Forest crews will begin hand-thinning 27 acres of forest around Mount Elden Wednesday (June 15) near the Rocky Ridge Trail for the next two months.

The thinning operations will be off of the Mount Elden Lookout Road (Forest Road 557), with the majority of the unit being north and west of the trail causing very little impact to users of Rocky Ridge Trail. The work crews will place signs on the trail on each end stating “tree work ahead” when necessary.

Forest Service personnel will be parking along Mount Elden Lookout road near the Rocky Ridge trail head, so forest goers should be cautious of the firefighters working in the area over the next two months.

Visit the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project for more information about the important work being done to protect Flagstaff area watersheds and communities.

Developed recreation sites on Coconino NF exempt from fire restrictions

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FLAGSTAFF — Certain developed recreation sites on the Coconino National Forest are exempt from fire restrictions, which began June 15, 2016 at 8 a.m. across the forest.

Under the restrictions, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are not allowed throughout the forest—unless in a developed recreation site.  However, fires are never advised anywhere during a Red Flag Warning such as was issued today by the National Weather Service.

The following list includes the only developed recreation sites on the Coconino National Forest exempt from fire restrictions. Note that campfires, and charcoal, coal and wood fires are prohibited at Forest Service rental cabins during Stage I and Stage II fire restrictions.

On the Flagstaff Ranger District (listed in alphabetical order):

  • Ashurst Lake Campground
  • Bonito Campground
  • Canyon Vista Campground
  • Dairy Springs Campground
  • Double Springs Campground
  • Forked Pine Campground
  • Flagstaff Nordic Center Lodge
  • Lake View Campground
  • Locket Meadow Campground
  • Narrows Picnic Area
  • O’leary Group Campground
  • Pine Grove Campground
  • Upper Lake Mary Boating Site

On the Red Rock Ranger District (which includes Oak Creek Canyon):

  • Banjo Bill Day-Use Site
  • Beaver Creek Day-Use Site
  • Bootlegger Day-Use Site
  • Cave Springs Campground
  • Chavez Group Site Campground
  • Clear Creek Campground
  • Crescent Moon Ranch Day-Use Site
  • Encinoso Day-Use Site
  • Grasshopper Point Day-Use Site
  • Halfway Day-Use Site
  • Lawrence Crossing Campground
  • Manzanita Campground
  • Pine Flats Campground

On the Mogollon Rim Ranger District:

  • Blue Ridge Campground
  • Clints Well Campground
  • Moqui Group Site Campground
  • Rock Crossing Campground

Fire restrictions to begin Wednesday on four National Forests

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FLAGSTAFF/WILLIAMS/PRESCOTT — Campfire and smoking restrictions will begin 8 a.m. Wednesday (June 15) on the Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in order to protect public health and reduce preventable human-caused fires.

Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are allowed in developed campgrounds only, which are managed by concessionaires or have campground hosts. The restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in developed campgrounds. Using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are clear of flammable materials. Fireworks are always prohibited on all National Forest lands. On the Prescott National Forest, Stage I restrictions will not allow shooting firearms due to the drier conditions. However, this activity will be allowed on the other National Forests.

The forests use fire restrictions to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of users during periods of dangerous fire conditions. Implementation of fire restrictions normally occurs based on a combination of factors that are carefully measured. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include things such as current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Additional restrictions may be applied as conditions warrant. In-depth details and criteria for implementing fire restrictions can be found online at http://tinyurl.com/firerestrictionscriteria. Additionally, an explanation of the different stages of fire restrictions and what is typically prohibited during those stages can be found online at http://tinyurl.com/firestagesexplained.

Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the forests receive significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded.

Forest officials would also like to remind forest users that building and maintaining a campfire on the National Forest while under fire restrictions is a violation that carries a mandatory appearance in federal court. Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands during fire season.

Know Before You Go!  The public can obtain additional fire information via the following:

Reservoir Fire remains at 138 acres

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Clints Well, Ariz. — The fire that has burned up to 138 acres has not grown in the past three days thanks to firefighter efforts and coordination between state and federal resources. The cause of the fire was determined to be an abandoned campfire. This is just one of the approximately 150 abandoned campfires left by campers in the Coconino National Forest in the past two weeks. Campers are required to have water and tools to extinguish fire cold-to-touch prior to leaving their campsites.

About 40 firefighters are currently assigned to the fire. Motorized access to the reservoir remains closed to the public through the weekend for public and fire crew safety, but is expected to reopen soon after. Rock Crossing Campground remains open. Current containment is 65 percent, with expected higher containment each day.

Crews conducted successful burnout operations Tuesday, limiting the fire to areas along the south shore of the reservoir. A boat will continue to be used to shuttle fire personnel and equipment across the reservoir and coordination between state and federal firefighting resources will continue for the duration of the fire.

Hunter Moore, the Governor’s natural resources policy advisor, and State Forester Jeff Whitney visited the fire area Tuesday and were briefed by the incident commander on the efforts and coordination of federal, state and cooperator resources assigned to the fire.

“I am grateful that our responders were so aggressive in protecting the C.C. Cragin watershed,” said Moore. “It’s a critical piece of infrastructure and we cannot afford irreparable damage to this resource. This serves to highlight the important work collaborating agencies and industry are doing to restore the forest.”

Smoke from forest fire to reduce visibility on Interstate 17 near Flagstaff

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FLAGSTAFF — Motorists traveling on Interstate 17 and State Route 87 in northern Arizona are likely to see smoke over the next week from three fires burning in the Coconino National Forest.

The Cowboy, Mormon and Pivot Rock fires are relatively small in size, and the U.S. Forest Service is allowing them to burn. Smoke could be visible through the weekend from all three fires.

The Cowboy fire is just east of I-17 at the Kelly Canyon Road interchange north of Munds Park. There could be heavy smoke along I-17 between the Newman Park Road and Kelly Canyon Road interchanges on Tuesday as Forest Service crews manage the fire along the interstate.

Flames will be visible from I-17. Smoke will most likely settle over the interstate Tuesday night.

Motorists are advised to use caution, as the smoke could reduce visibility and firefighters will be working near the highway.

Smoke from the Mormon fire, about five miles east of Munds Park, could affect visibility along SR 87 north of Clints Well.

Smoke from the Pivot Rock fire near SR 87 at milepost 284 could also affect visibility along the highway south of Clints Well.

Motorists traveling along State Route 288 north of Roosevelt Lake may also encounter smoke from the Juniper fire, another managed fire in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness Area of the Tonto National Forest.

The Forest Service, under certain conditions, allows fires to burn to reduce fuels and the risk of more severe wildfires. During managed fire operations, community members and visitors may see fire personnel and vehicles in the vicinity.

To stay up to date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the Arizona Department of Transportation Traveler Information Center at az511.gov, call 511 or follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT).

Body of Cliff Jumper Recovered by Multi-Agency Response

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Coconino County Sheriff Photo

Coconino County Sheriff Photo

PAGE — Today [Wednesday] at 9:37 a.m., the 6-day search for missing 29-year old Billy Burke of Jackson Hole, Wyoming concluded when his body was spotted at a depth of 153 feet in Lake Powell.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Lake Patrol Division discovered the body using an underwater Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). Billy’s body was discovered at the base of a cliff in the Coconino County portion of Face Canyon where friends reported that he entered the water in the afternoon of Friday October 9 after attempting a cliff jump of approximately 90 feet.

The ROV deployed by Maricopa County is over 60% smaller and more agile for navigating the rugged underwater terrain in the search area than the ROV used on previous search days. This ROV was able to approach the cliff walls without stirring up as much sediment, which allowed for improved viewing of the area.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Acting Superintendent Lindy Mihata extends thanks to Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Utah State Parks for contributing to this successful search and underwater recovery effort.

The search was coordinated by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, while the investigation is being coordinated by Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives. At this point in the investigation, investigators do not believe that foul play was involved, and that this was an unfortunate accident.

Since the year 2000, six cliff jumping deaths have occurred in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Flagstaff Ranger District looking for volunteers to plant trees

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download1FLAGSTAFF — FLAGscanner is reporting that the Flagstaff Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest is inviting volunteers to help replant approximately 2,000 ponderosa pine trees in the Schultz burn are on Saturday, Aug. 29. Volunteers should arrive by 8:30 a.m. to attend a safety briefing and planting demonstration.

A meeting area has been established at Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420) at the entrance to the Vulcan Mine. From Flagstaff, head north on Highway 89 approximately 12 miles. When you see the turn-off for Wupatki-Sunset Crater National Monument, turn left and go across the other side of the highway onto the dirt road. Follow the forest road to a “T” intersection and turn left again. Drive approximately one-half mile until you see signs for the planting event. The road should be suitable for most cars. Persons with low clearance vehicles are advised to drive carefully on the forest road.

More information including contact is available at FLAGscanner.