Tag Archives: News

Sheriff’s Office Responds to Barricaded Subject in Tuba City, AZ

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TUBA CITY – At approximately 8:30 am yesterday, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received information from Navajo Police Department in Tuba City of an armed barricaded subject at the Pasture Canyon Apartments belonging to the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation.

54-year old Allen Lynch, Jr. had barricaded himself in his residence after a domestic disturbance involving a discharge of a firearm and threats to a family member. Due to the involvement of a firearm in a residential neighborhood, a number of residents were evacuated.

Navajo Police requested the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office respond because the incident involved non-native individuals making it the jurisdiction of the Sheriff’s Office.

Over 7 hours of negotiations with the subject ensued afterwhich a robot from the Flagstaff Police Department was used to enter the residence where Mr. Lynch was located. The Tactical Team was able to secure the residence and take Mr. Lynch into custody.

Mr. Lynch was transported to the Tuba City Regional Health Care for medical evaluation and later booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility in Flagstaff under charges including Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Disorderly Conduct with a Firearm, and Criminal Damage.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Navajo Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Flagstaff Police/Coconino Sheriff Tactical Team, Guardian Air based out of Tuba City, and Security Personnel from Tuba City Regional Health Care.

Boundary Fire Suppression Repair Needs Assessed

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WILLIAMS – On Wednesday crews worked to secure control lines and patrol for hotspots along the perimeter. An assessment of suppression repair needs has begun. Suppression repair will include the construction of water bars to divert the flow of water away from fire lines during rainstorms, the felling of hazard trees, the repair of roads and trails where they were used as part of the control line and the repair of fences where they were cut to allow access to crews and equipment during suppression operations.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect today due to low humidity, high temperatures and strong winds. Due to the increased fire danger, the Coconino National Forest will move into Stage II fire restrictions at 8 am today.

The winds are expected to pick up today moving smoke around the north side of the San Francisco Peaks where it will then travel east. Smoke is expected to be most noticeable to the south of Grey Mountain and north of Timberline/Doney Park.

Crews make significant progress in suppressing wildfire near Tusayan

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Crews made significant progress last night in suppressing the 151-acre Rain Fire located about 5 miles southwest of the Town of Tusayan on the Kaibab National Forest.

Incident commander Quentin Johnson said the wildfire, which is burning in pinyon-juniper woodlands, is now 40 percent contained after retardant drops yesterday and the construction of hand and dozer line late into last night.

Resources assigned today include three 20-person hand crews, three engines, a dozer, a water tender and several individual fire personnel for a total of about 80 people. With winds predicted to be out of the west and gusts up to 30 mph in the forecast today, fire personnel will focus on enhancing established containment lines especially on the east flank to try to prevent the wildfire from spreading.

Smoke from the Rain Fire has diminished significantly since yesterday, but it may still be visible from Grand Canyon Airport, Grand Canyon National Park, Highway 64, and the Town of Tusayan. Grand Canyon National Park remains open.

No structures are threatened. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park fire resources responding to wildfire near Tusayan

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Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park fire resources are responding to a wildfire located southwest of Grand Canyon Airport on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. The Rain Fire is about 150 acres in size and is being suppressed by aerial and ground firefighting resources.

Resources responding include an air attack platform, one air tanker, two single engine air tankers, one helicopter, three engines, one dozer, and three 20-person hand crews.

The wildfire is burning in pinyon-juniper woodlands and is creating smoke visible from Grand Canyon National Park, Highway 64, and the Town of Tusayan.

No structures are threatened. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Grand Canyon National Park remains open.

Countywide Stage 2 fire restrictions enacted

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FLAGSTAFF — Stage 2 fire restrictions, will begin at 8 a.m., Thursday, June 22, across Coconino County. Fire restrictions are to help protect public health by reducing the number of human-caused wildfires. The County has been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since June 15. The County is enacting Stage 2 restrictions due to forecasted weather and very high fire danger. Restrictions are in coordination with Coconino National Forest and the Arizona Department of Fire and Forestry Management.

The following restrictions apply on County public lands, as well as private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County. During Stage 2, the only combustion open fire and campfire allowed are listed below:

1. By persons with a written permit or variance.
2. For personal use of cigarette or other tobacco smoking medium when used inside an enclosed vehicle or building only.
3. 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.
4. By any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting entity in the performance of an official duty.
5. By persons whose open fire is the result of a device manufactured for the purpose of cooking of food, fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and turned off (for example a gas grill) when used in an area that is free of combustible materials and vegetation. This does not include Liquid fuel or LPG fire rings.
6. By persons operating internal combustion engines with spark arresting devices when the use is for common household-only activities such as landscaping and property maintenance and repair.
7. By persons operating generators or pumps with an approved spark arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding combustible materials within three (3) feet of the device.
8. Persons engaged in industrial and ranching operations with a permit or variance.

Unless allowed by an exception above, in addition to stage one common prohibited activities (including open fire, campfires, fireworks, open smoking and use of exploding targets and tracer round ammunition), prohibitions now include all open fire, campfires, open smoking, outdoor mechanical and Coconino County Board of Supervisors
A link to the full Wildfire Defense Ordinance can be found at on the Coconino County homepage at www.coconino.az.gov/emergency.

Summer to start off with hottest day of the year

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WILLIAMS – The first day of summer may turn out to be the hottest day of the year with the temperature expected to be 96-degrees. You may be able to cool off by going to Flagstaff which expects a temperature of 95-degrees. The Weather Service has issued a heat advisory through Thursday evening when temperatures will start to drop off. Light winds are expected through Thursday.

With temperatures on the rise, we caution people about keeping animals in cars even with windows slightly open. Police are allowed to break windows if they feel that dogs are in danger.

Mosquitoes have started to make their presence known, as well. Make sure you stock up on your favorite mosquito repellent. Make sure you empty outdoor water sources, such as tires, birdbaths etc., to reduce areas where mosquitoes lay eggs.

United Pet Group Expands Voluntary Recall of Multiple Brands of Rawhide Chew Products for Dogs

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United Pet Group, a division of Spectrum Brands, Inc. is voluntarily expanding its recall of multiple brands of packages of rawhide dog chew products to include our retail partners’ private label brands. The recall involves the brands and products described below.

United Pet Group previously initiated a voluntary recall of its branded products on 6/10/17 which included the following brands: American Beefhide, Digest-eeze, and Healthy Hide (including Healthy Hide – Good -n- Fun and Healthy Hide – Good -n- Fit).

The recall was initiated after  United Pet Group identified that certain of its rawhide chew manufacturing facilities located in Mexico and Colombia, as well as one of its suppliers in Brazil, were using a quaternary ammonium compound mixture as a processing aid in the manufacturing of rawhide chews. The compound is an anti-microbial chemical that is approved for cleaning food processing equipment, but it has not been approved in the U.S. as a processing aid in the production of rawhide chews for dogs.

United Pet Group received very limited reports of pet illness based on the volume of possibly affected rawhide chew products manufactured and distributed. The primary complaint received from consumers was that the affected product had an unpleasant odor. Diarrhea and vomiting were also reported.

Exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds through direct ingestion may cause the following symptoms in dogs: reduced appetite and gastric irritation, including diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms may require treatment by a veterinarian depending on severity.

The affected product was distributed nationwide from United Pet Group’s Edwardsville, Illinois distribution facility and was delivered to consumers through various retail establishments, including online outlets. All of the dog chew products included in the voluntary recall identify an expiration date ranging from 06/01/2019 through 5/31/2020 located on the  back of the package with the exception of the Enzadent and Dentahex products which are listed by UPC codes below and specific expiration dates outlined below.

The private label products subject to the recall are described below.

Private Label Product Brands Private Label Product Names and Identifying Information
Companion United Pet Group is recalling certain packages of dog chews with the Companion brand on the label.

This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products:

Distributed by FOODHOLD U.S.A., LLC LANDOVER, MD 20785 1-877-846-9946
Dentley’s United Pet Group is recalling certain packages of dog chews with the Dentley’s brand on the label.

This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products:

Pacific Coast Distributing, Inc. 19601 N. 27th Ave. Phoenix, AZ USA 85027
Enzadent or Dentahex United Pet Group is recalling certain packages of dog chews with the Enzadent/Dentahex brand on the label.

This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with the below listed UPC codes printed on the back of the package and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2021 through 05/31/2022 are affected by this recall. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products:

ENZADENT CHIPS MED 30 CT            17030030181
ENZADENT CHIPS PETITE 30 CT        17030030167
ENZADENT CHIPS SM 30 CT               17030030174
ENZADENT CHIPS LG 30 CT               17030030198
DENTAHEX CHIPS PETITE 30 CT       17030030228
DENTAHEX CHIPS SM 30 CT              17030030235
DENTAHEX CHIPS MED 30 CT            17030030242
DENTAHEX CHIPS LG 30 CT               17030030259

Manufactured for Vetoquinol USA Inc. Ft. Worth, TX USA 76137
Essential Everyday United Pet Group is recalling certain packages of dog chews with the Essential Everyday brand on the label.

This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products:

Distributed by SUPERVALU INC. EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344 USA
Exer-Hides United Pet Group is recalling certain packages of dog chews with the Exer-Hides brand on the label.

This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products:

Distributed by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Bentonville, AR 72716
Good Lovin’ or Petco United Pet Group is recalling certain packages of dog chews with the Good Lovin’ or Petco brand on the label.

This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products:

Distributed by: International Pet Supplies and Distribution, Inc. San Diego, CA 92121
Hill Country Fare United Pet Group is recalling certain packages of dog chews with the Hill Country Fare brand on the label.

This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products:

Distributed by H-E-B San Antonio, TX 78204
Priority Pet United Pet Group is recalling certain packages of dog chews with the Priority brand on the label.

This recall is limited to dog chew products that contain rawhide. Only products with lot codes listed on the back of the package that start with AH, AV, A, AI, AO, or AB and which list expiration dates from 06/01/2019 through 05/31/2020 are affected by this recall. This includes all package sizes and/or weights. The following contact information appears on the back of the package of the affected products:

Distributed by Lucerne North America LLC
P.O. Box 99
Pleasanton, CA 94566-0009
1-866-578-4395

Consumers who have purchased the products described above are urged to dispose of the product or return it directly to United Pet Group or to the retail establishment where they initially purchased the product for full refund. Please see brand logos below which will assist in identifying affected products.

We take our responsibility to pets and their owners seriously and we are continuing to investigate the cause of this problem. We are implementing changes across  the  affected manufacturing facilities in order to prevent this problem from reoccurring in the future. United Pet Group is also working with retailers to ensure that the affected products are no longer sold and removed from inventory.

If you have these products, please contact the United Pet Group consumer affairs team at 1-855-215-4962 between the hours of 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM Eastern Standard Time for a refund.

Firefighters Make a Big Stride in Boundary Fire Containment

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WILLIAMS – Monday afternoon, forecasted isolated thunderstorms brought gusty winds and light precipitation to the Boundary Fire. Crews made a big stride today securing private property parcels and fire lines which increased containment from 18% to 30%. Cloud cover and increased relative humidity allowed fire to move along the ground, promoting healthy consumption of dead and down fuel returning nutrients to the soil.

In the morning, minimal but noticeable smoke may impact the following communities of Flagstaff, Baderville, Tuba City, Cameron, Timberline/Doney Park, and Bellemont. Smoke will disperse east of Flagstaff towards Leupp and hazy smoke will be drifting near Doney Park and Timberline as temperatures increase throughout the day. For more information on smoke and air quality, visit www.azdeq.gov.

Smoke will continue to impact US 180, especially at night. US 180 has reopened north of Flagstaff between mileposts 236 and 248 after visibility along the highway has increased due to reduced smoke impact from the Boundary Fire, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Though the road is open for travel, there will be lower speed limits through the affected area as firefighting operations continue and personnel and equipment enter and exit the highway. While the smoke impact has lessened enough to safely reopen US 180, ADOT personnel will continue to monitor visibility conditions along the highway.

US 89 remains open and may see light smoke impacts during the day. Interstate 40 may experience impacts in the evening and at night. The forest service advises drivers slow down and use caution when driving through these areas.

Kaibab National Forest fuelwood permit holders advised to not cut live oak

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TUSAYAN – The Kaibab National Forest advises fuelwood harvesters with cutting permits for the 2017 firewood season to ensure they don’t accidentally cut live oak.

Some areas of the Kaibab National Forest, especially on the Tusayan Ranger District, experienced a late-season freeze that may have killed some leaves on oak trees. The trees may look dead, but they are not. Fuelwood permits are valid only for oak trees that are dead and down or standing dead but are not valid for live oak.

Josh Giles, silviculturist for the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts, urges fuelwood permit holders to “be vigilant in ensuring that oak trees are actually dead when harvesting them for firewood.”

The Kaibab National Forest advises the following to test and ensure oak trees are dead prior to cutting:

  • Check to see if you can bend the limbs without them breaking. Be sure to check several limbs of varying sizes. If the limbs are pliable, then the tree is still green and should not be harvested.
  • Scratch the surface of the oak tree with a knife or similar object. If you can see green just under the bark surface, then the tree is still alive and should not be harvested.

Giles adds that, although “the late freeze may look like it had a drastic effect on the oaks, they will bounce back in a very short time.”

Firewood cutting permits can be purchased at the following locations and during the specified hours Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays:

  • Williams Ranger District, 742 S. Clover Road, Williams; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (928) 635-5600
  • Tusayan Ranger District, 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Tusayan; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; (928) 638-2443
  • North Kaibab Ranger District, 430 S. Main St., Fredonia; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; (928) 643-7395

Firefighters contain wildfire in Williams despite drone incursion

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WILLIAMS – Firefighters contained a small wildfire Thursday in Williams near Oak and 11th streets despite a drone flying over the area that temporarily delayed the arrival of a helicopter attempting to drop water on the blaze.

The Williams Fire, which was reported to the Williams Dispatch Center at about 12:45 p.m. Thursday and said to be located on the southwest side of Cemetery Hill, was less than a quarter mile away from residences in the area. Kaibab National Forest fire officials arrived on scene and immediately requested that a helicopter that was prepositioned at the Williams Airport be dispatched to drop water on the fire.

As the helicopter was preparing to launch, incident commander Mike Uebel reported that an unmanned aerial vehicle, also known as a drone, was flying over the fire. The helicopter was advised to stand down until representatives from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office could find the operator and get the drone cleared from the area.

The drone eventually departed the fire area, and Uebel was able to guide the helicopter into the location to make water drops. Other firefighting resources working to suppress the Williams Fire included four engines and a dozer. While the Williams Fire was contained at less than an acre in size, the situation could have ended very differently, according to fire officials.

“People may be flying a drone thinking it’s cool to get video footage of a wildfire, but they don’t realize the impacts they have on our ability to do our jobs,” Uebel said. “Sometimes your actions that seem harmless can have major impacts to the safety of firefighters and to the safety of our community. If we can’t respond, we can’t put out the fire.”

Members of the public should never fly an unmanned aerial vehicle over or near a wildfire. Unauthorized drone flights could cause serious injury or death to firefighters in the air or firefighters and members of the public on the ground. Firefighting aircraft, such as air attack, lead planes, airtankers and helicopters, typically fly in smoky, windy and turbulent conditions. Safety depends on knowing what other aircraft are operating in the airspace and where they are at all times. This is compromised by the presence of unauthorized drones.

“We don’t want recreational drone use to impede the response of aerial resources. On another day when conditions weren’t as favorable for us, we could have had a different outcome,” said Jeremy Human, fire management officer for the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The drone never reappeared and the operator was not found.

Representatives from Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Williams Police Department and Williams Fire Department all assisted Kaibab National Forest fire officials in the fire suppression effort.