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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) advises the public to stay away from orange liquid or orange soils near E Eagle Rd and E New Strike Ln in Walker, Arizona, an area surrounding the former Sheldon Mine (see vicinity map at end).

ADEQ confirmed the presence of orange liquid and soils near E Sheldon Rd and S Midnight Snap Ln on Mar. 30, 2023, in response to contact from a local resident. As a precautionary measure, we advise individuals to avoid contact with the orange liquid and soil until further notice. Due to recent above average precipitation in the region, this orange liquid may be surfacing in other nearby areas.

ADEQ has notified and is coordinating with local, county and state officials including Walker Fire Department, Yavapai County and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. ADEQ is investigating the situation and working to identify the orange substance and any necessary cleanup actions.

If anyone has come into contact with the orange liquid or soil, and is experiencing any health effects it is recommended that you consult your medical provider as a precautionary measure.

ADEQ will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. We appreciate the public's cooperation and patience as we work to ensure the safety of all individuals in the area.

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Fire Managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to continue burning slash piles in the Prescott Basin near Spence Basin and Copper Basin.  Ignitions are planned to start on Friday March 31, 2023, and continue through Sunday April 30, 2023, as conditions allow.

Smoke impacts are expected to be light however as nighttime temperatures cool smoke may linger in drainages and valleys in the areas of Prescott, Iron Springs, Copper Basin, and Thumb Butte. Pile burning helps to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland urban interface and increases ecosystem and community resilience.

In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the prescribed burn as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.

The purpose of this project is to reduce hazardous fuels following thinning and fuelwood removal activities. Reducing hazardous fuels will help reduce the threat of high-severity, high-intensity wildfire to the public, adjacent private property, and communities. Burning of debris left over from brush crush and thinning projects requires moisture in the surrounding vegetation and typically produces much lighter smoke than broadcast burning.

All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather, fuels, and conditions that minimize smoke impacts as much as possible, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).

Messages will be posted on social media when prescribed fires are ignited on the Prescott National Forest:

• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/PrescottNF

For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Bureau of Land Management’s Phoenix District is planning prescribed burning operations to burn cut and piled brush from public lands in Yavapai and Maricopa counties. Burning may occur over multiple days in April and May as conditions allow.  

In Yavapai County, BLM fire personnel will burn 200 acres of cut and piled juniper brush along the Indian Creek drainage in the Agua Fria National Monument, about six miles east of Cordes Lakes. They will also burn 39 acres of juniper piles about three miles east of Skull Valley. In Maricopa County, crews will burn one acre of piles on the east side of Lake Pleasant, about three miles north of State Route 74.   

To ensure public safety, BLM firefighters will ignite the piles only when weather conditions are conducive to safely burning. They will remain on scene to monitor public and resource safety. Area residents may see some light smoke during the burn operation. No local road closures are expected.  

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 provided funding for this prescribed burn. The legislation funds fuel treatments to help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and benefit neighboring communities. Thinning and burning juniper that has encroached into grasslands also helps open wildlife corridors, reduce predator cover, and improve wildlife forage. 

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The Coconino County Sheriff's Office and Coconino County Emergency Management announce the creation of evacuation zones in Coconino County. In an effort to further enhance emergency messaging to the public, the evacuation zones focus on neighborhoods, communities, and residential areas throughout the county.

Using pre-identified zones, this project builds on the existing Ready, Set, Go Program and was developed with area partners to enhance pre-evacuations and evacuation messaging.

“Since the adoption of the Ready, Set, Go Program by the Arizona Sheriffs, a consistent and clear message has been key to the success of the standardized evacuation practice,” according to Sheriff Jim Driscoll of Coconino County.

In the wake of the fast-moving 2022 fire season and the need for rapid evacuations, we have reviewed our procedures and have enhanced our process for delivering emergency messaging. It is essential for us to geographically identify the exact areas to be notified, and this new process will further enhance the overall efficiency of evacuations and re-entry.

“This has been a joint partnership with the U.S Forest Service, local fire districts, and the Coconino County GIS department. We constantly evaluate our procedures in an effort to ensure the safety of communities and our visitors,” said Wes Dison, Director of Coconino County Emergency Management.

Every effort has been made to make these evacuation zones available to the public. Interactive map can be found at www.coconino.az.gov/evacmap or by scanning the QR code below. Located at the website are downloadable maps for each zone and citizens are encouraged to save this information by phone or by printing the available resources.

This effort is ongoing and the expansion of evacuations zones for both the City of Flagstaff and the City of Page are under development.

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The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are working to begin multiple prescribed burn operations beginning March 27 through April 15.  The following prescribed fires will be initiated if conditions and approvals allow:

Black Mesa Ranger District

• Black Mesa / Camp Shadow Pines Piles - Location: approximately 2 miles west of Heber/Overgaard at Camp Shadow Pines admin site. Total Acres: 2.
• Black Mesa / Hidden Piles – Location: Approximately 3 miles west of the community of Forest Lakes and adjacent to Willow Spring Lake along Hwy 260. Total Acres: 67.

Clifton Ranger District

• Mesa Rx – Location: Approximately 16 miles north of Morenci, AZ. Project boundaries are Turkey Creek/Cow Canyon to the east, FR 515 (Pine Flat Rd) to the north and west and FR 217 (Upper Eagle Creek Rd) to the south.  This project is planned to work with partners from AZ Game and Fish and Freeport McMoran, Inc. Total Acres: 10,300.

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape.  Prescribed fires provide habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil, and encourages new growth for various plants used by wildlife and livestock. They also reduce forest surface fuels which lessens the threat of large-scale wildfire impacts on private lands and communities.

Smoke will be a consideration in the vicinity of the prescribed burns depending on the weather and caution should be used when traveling in the area.

Information on air quality and active prescribed burns can be found on Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s webpage: https://azdeq.gov/.

Stay up to date on news from the A-S at our website https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf, on Twitter @A_SNFs and on facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.

Teamwork is key when it comes to Wildfire Prevention and Risk Reduction

Every year, wildfires burn thousands of acres across the state. Fires destroy properties, harm Arizona’s natural resources, impact critical infrastructure, and disrupt lives. And every year, people continue to cause more than half of the state’s fires. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, along with its federal and tribal counterparts work diligently throughout the year collaborating on fuels reduction projects and providing public
outreach and education opportunities to reduce wildfire risk.

As the Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week gets underway this week, there is no better theme than, “Preparing Together.” The goal of “Preparing Together” echoes that constant teamwork between all state, federal, and tribal agencies. But residents and visitors must do their parts too because it takes a team to prevent wildfires.

Last year, according to DFFM’s Arizona Dispatch Center, 1,444 wildfires were reported across all land jurisdictions, including State Trust, private, federal, and tribal. Of those fires, 941 were human caused. In total, 124,323 acres burned statewide in 2022.Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week provides agencies a way to amplify wildfire prevention and outreach messaging prior to the state’s critical fire time frame. To promote the week, DFFM and partners will focus on increased social media messaging, public service announcements, and public outreach events. On Monday, March 27, DFFM kicks off the week with Governor Katie Hobbs to host the agency’s annual wildland fire outlook briefing at the State Capitol.

Over the last few months, a remarkable level of moisture provided much-welcomed relief to the drought-stricken state. But, with all of that moisture comes the potential for high fire activity in certain parts of Arizona. Once conditions dry out and temperatures warm up, a dry and dense fuel bed remains susceptible for ignitions. The potential exists for rapid moving wildfire within the grasslands where winds and terrain can influence fire behavior making it challenging for firefighters to contain.

Even with all of the rain and snow, people must not become complacent when working, recreating and playing outdoors. Always check the weather forecasts before burning debris, have a water source and shovel nearby, never burn on windy days, and use a spark arrester on tools. A bit of vehicle preventative maintenance goes a long way to keeping your travels and roadways safe. Check tires for any damage and proper pressure inflation. Tire blowouts have been known to cause fires. Always secure tow chains and never pull a vehicle off the road and into tall grass. Put out campfires completely: drown, stir and repeat. Target shooting and fireworks are never permitted on State Trust Lands. Fireworks are also not
allowed on federal lands.

Homeowners can do their part by creating defensible space across their properties. Home repair, seasonal cleanup, taking care of plants, and removing trash and debris from around the home are just a few ways to prepare your home for wildfire.

This year, Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week runs March 26 – April 1, and is a joint collaboration between DFFM, the Bureau of Land Management, the USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, and New Mexico Forestry Division.

For more fire prevention or community protection tips, visit wildlandfire.az.gov or Firewise USA. Download DFFM’s free mobile phone application from the iTunes or Google Play stores for additional resources, such as wildfire smoke forecasts, wildfire and fire prevention information, forestry resources and much more.

Depending on weather conditions, Lake Mead National Recreation Area is planning a prescribed burn adjacent to the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) Lake Mead Fish Hatchery. Ignitions are planned to start on March 28, take 1 to 2 days to complete, and treat approximately 20 acres.  

Located along Lakeshore Road, west of Lake Mead, this project will reduce hazardous vegetation (fuel) build-up near NDOW’s facilities and reduce invasive species to improve habitat and biodiversity along the wash between the fish hatchery and the lake.  

“By removing dead and highly adapted invasive plants, like tamarisk, this prescribed burn will reduce the competition for native plants to thrive,” said Jeremie Gamiao, Assistant Fire Management Officer for Lake Mead National Recreation Area.  

There are no closures associated with this prescribed burn. Travelers on Lakeshore Road and the initial stretch of Northshore Road may see smoke, active fire, and firefighters during these burns, and are asked to drive slowly and follow all firefighter instructions.  

Additionally, visitors and campers within the Las Vegas Wash, Boulder Beach, Government Wash areas, and residents or visitors of Lake Las Vegas may see smoke as well.

Planes or helicopters flying in the area should expect to see smoke as well. Smoke impacts are expected to be minimal and short-lived. The public can learn more about air quality and smoke by visiting fire.airnow.gov 

The 2023 Fish Hatchery Prescribed Burn unit in Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

 

Fire managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to take advantage of the moisture received and predicted to burn debris piles in the Prescott Basin. Ignitions are planned to start tomorrow, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, and continue through Friday, March 31, 2023, as favorable weather conditions allow. Fire managers expect smoke impacts to be light and visible from multiple locations including Prescott, Williamson Valley, Chino Valley, and surrounding areas. Pile burning helps to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland urban interface and increases ecosystem and community resilience.

In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of prescribed burns as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.

The purpose of this project is to reduce hazardous fuels following thinning and fuelwood removal. Reducing hazardous fuels will help reduce the threat of high-severity, high-intensity wildfire to the public, adjacent private property, and communities. Burning of debris left over from brush crush and thinning projects requires moisture in the surrounding vegetation and typically produces much lighter smoke than broadcast burning.

All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather, fuels, conditions that minimize smoke impacts as much as possible, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).

Messages will be posted on social media when managed fires are ignited on the Prescott National Forest:

• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/PrescottNF

For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Rain and snow create the need to slow down, stay alert

PHOENIX – Drivers should plan for wet and sometimes icy highways across Arizona this week as another storm system brings rain and snow to the state.

The Arizona Department of Transportation recommends drivers stay up to date on weather conditions and prepare to slow down on slick roads. Motorists also should avoid traveling in winter weather conditions.

The National Weather Service says flooding is possible in washes and other lower lying areas. Drivers should not try to cross areas with running or standing water.

Safer conditions will exist in upper-elevation areas once ADOT’s snowplow operators have time to clear snow and ice from highways. Here are winter and wet weather safe driving tips:

• Slow down and leave extra room: Adjust your speed to conditions. Slowing down and leaving space between your vehicle and vehicles ahead of you on icy or wet roads can prevent crashes or keep your vehicle from skidding when conditions are slippery.
• Stay up to date on weather and highway conditions: In addition to following National Weather Service forecasts (weather.gov/fgz/WinterWeather), drivers can visit ADOT’s Traveler Information site at az511.gov, download the AZ511 app or call 511 for highway conditions.
• Expect the Unexpected: Stay alert for changing highway conditions, including storm debris and mud or rocks from slopes above highways. Do not enter or try to cross flooded areas. It is safer to wait for assistance from law enforcement or other emergency responders.
• Leave prepared: Dress for cold weather if traveling into the high country. Bring extra clothes and gloves as part of an emergency prep kit in case you need to stop along a highway. Be sure your cellphone is charged and pack extra drinking water, food and prescription medications (in case you encounter delays).
• Other items for an emergency kit: Blankets, flashlight, ice scraper, small shovel, container with sand or kitty litter for tire traction if your vehicle is stuck in icy conditions. ADOT has a complete list of items at azdot.gov/KnowSnow (look for “Must haves for every vehicle”).

Drivers also can look for messages on ADOT’s statewide network of electronic signs. ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT) also provide information and answers about highway conditions.

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 The Coconino County Public Works Department, in conjunction with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service, has closed the 2.5-mile stretch of Garland Prairie Road between Sycamore Creek to the east and McDougal Flat to the west due to flooding along the roadway. Access to Garland Prairie Road from White Horse Lake Road, which intersects from the south, also has been closed, and signage is in place to direct motorists away from the flooded area.  

  This closure is necessary for public safety as flows of at least two feet in depth have been reported on this section of Garland Prairie Road. The closure will remain in effect until weather conditions allow Public Works to safely reopen the roadway. 

Tonto Basin fire specialists are planning a pile burn on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

Fire specialists will burn the community green waste pit near Punkin Center and west of State Route 188. Visitors and residents in the area may see smoke during ignitions but impacts are expected to be minimal to State Route 188 and the community of Tonto Basin. 

The Forest Service will post signs alerting the public that fire specialists will be burning. Officials urge motorists to slow down when driving through smoky areas for the safety of firefighters and the public. 

For news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or Twitter @TontoForest.

Tonto National Forest fire officials are planning to burn piles near the ranger station, as well as one pit near the Ice House CCC Camp, Monday, March 13-24, 2023.

Fire specialists will be burning roughly one acre of handmade piles on the Globe Ranger District compound. In addition, they will be burning a pit containing brush, branches, and grass materials. Property owners who gather this dry fuel from around their homes and property can take it to the community green waste pit to have it burned. Removing this material creates defensible space around structures which increases the likelihood that a home will survive a wildfire.

Experienced fire and fuels specialists on the Tonto National Forest build prescribed fire plans using the most up-to-date science and modeling along with their combined on the ground fire and fuels experience. 

There will be smoke visible for several days near the district office in Globe and from the burn pit near Ice House CCC Camp until ignitions are complete. Affected communities should remain aware of smoke advisories and conditions. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow us on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or Twitter @TontoForest.
 

Tonto National Forest fire officials are planning to burn piles near the ranger station, as well as one pit near the Ice House CCC Camp, Monday, March 13-24, 2023.

Fire specialists will be burning roughly one acre of handmade piles on the Globe Ranger District compound. In addition, they will be burning a pit containing brush, branches, and grass materials. Property owners who gather this dry fuel from around their homes and property can take it to the community green waste pit to have it burned. Removing this material creates defensible space around structures which increases the likelihood that a home will survive a wildfire.

Experienced fire and fuels specialists on the Tonto National Forest build prescribed fire plans using the most up-to-date science and modeling along with their combined on the ground fire and fuels experience.

There will be smoke visible for several days near the district office in Globe and from the burn pit near Ice House CCC Camp until ignitions are complete. Affected communities should remain aware of smoke advisories and conditions. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow us on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or Twitter @TontoForest.

Fire managers on the Verde Ranger District plan to burn 1,966 acres of the Marlow West RX.  Ignitions are planned to start on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, and continue through Sunday, March 12, 2023, pending favorable weather conditions. The burn unit is located near Dugas, east of Interstate 17 and north of Cordes Junction; next to Forest Service Road 68E and Horner Mt. Ranch (T12N, R4E, Sec 27). This project is part of the Aqua Fria Grassland Restoration where fire crews plan to treat a large surface area with broadcast burning, improving wildlife habitat and the resiliency of forest ecosystems. A portion of the Cottonwood Trail #9709 is within the planned ignition area and fire managers ask the public to avoid Cottonwood Trail the remainder of this week.  Fire personnel will continue to monitor, patrol and mop-up for several days after ignitions are complete. Smoke production will be light and will remain visible from several locations including Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Sedona, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Dewey-Humboldt, and Cordes Junction; and should dissipate quickly once ignitions are complete.

Ignitions will depend upon agency administrator approval and conditions within the ranges outlined in burn plans. Burn plans consider temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation and conditions for dispersal of smoke.

Prescribed fires are utilized to remove hazardous fuels and return nutrients to the soils when seasonal weather opportunities allow for the use of fire safely and effectively and to restore and improve habitat for pronghorn and other wildlife species. Reducing hazardous fuels will help reduce the threat of high-severity, high-intensity wildfire to the public, adjacent private property, and communities.

In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the prescribed burn as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.

Prescott National Forest’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health and the strategy includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Using low to moderate fire behavior, we can better protect communities, while improving watersheds, wildlife habitat, and forest health.

All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather, fuels and conditions that minimize smoke impacts as much as possible, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).

Messages will be posted on social media when managed fires are ignited on the Prescott National Forest:

• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/PrescottNF

For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Fire Managers on the Chino Valley Ranger District plan to conduct several prescribed fire operations in the Chino Landscape Restoration Project area at multiple locations next week (see map). Ignitions are planned to start Monday March 6, 2023, and continue through Sunday March 12, 2023, pending suitable conditions. This project is part of the Chino Landscape Restoration where fire crews plan to treat a large surface area with broadcast burning, improving wildlife habitat and the resiliency of forest ecosystems. Smoke production will be light and visible from multiple locations including Chino Valley, Paulden, Williamson Valley, Prescott, and Prescott Valley but should be short in duration.|
The following burns are planned:

• Sinks RX - 367 acres
• Wineglass RX - 1963 acres
• Wagon Tire RX - 593 acres

Ignitions will depend upon agency administrator approval and conditions within the ranges outlined in burn plans. Burn plans consider temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation and conditions for dispersal of smoke.  

Prescribed fires are utilized to remove hazardous fuels and return nutrients to the soils when seasonal weather opportunities allow for the use of fire safely and effectively. Reducing hazardous fuels will help reduce the threat of high-severity, high-intensity wildfire to the public, adjacent private property, and communities.

In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the prescribed burn as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.

Prescott National Forest’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health and the strategy includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape.  Using low to moderate fire behavior, we can better protect communities, while improving watersheds, wildlife habitat, and forest health.

All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather, fuels, and conditions that minimize smoke impacts as much as possible, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).

Messages will be posted on social media when managed fires are ignited on the Prescott National Forest:

• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/PrescottNF

For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Much of Coconino County continues to be under a Winter Storm Warning by the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Flagstaff. The Arizona Department of Transportation reports many state routes and interstates have now reopened, but hazardous road conditions may persist.

“We’ve believe we’ve seen the worst of it, for now at least,” said Coconino County Manager Steve Peru. “We understand our communities have withstood one of the worst winter storm seasons in history. Our public safety agencies are working around the clock to assist the public to the greatest extent possible.”

The forecast for the weekend promises the return of sunshine and slightly higher temperatures, the reprieve is greatly needed to make headway on clearing hundreds of miles of county roads.

The County Public Works Department continues to plow and maintain hundreds of miles of county roads. Public Works staff are asking the public to please reduce driving over the weekend and move cars off of streets into driveways so they have the greatest leeway for storm recovery. Public Works community relations staff are available weekdays during business hours at (928) 679-8300 for urgent requests. Frequently asked questions about County roads and snow removal priorities can be found online at www.coconino.az.gov/snow

With record-breaking snow amounts, the Winter recreation season in Northern Arizona should last several more weeks. Those looking to travel to Coconino County for winter recreation should consider delaying until after this weekend to allow time for proper road cleanup and snow removal.

Coconino County Storm Information
Snow Removal Information
County Twitter
Emergency Management Twitter
Public Works: (928) 679- 8300 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Arizona Department of Transportation
ADOT Traveler Information and Closures
ADOT Twitter

National Weather Service
Local Forecast and Alerts
NWS Twitter

Tonto National Forest fire officials are planning to burn the community green waste pit in Gisela, Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

Fire specialists will be burning a pit containing brush, branches, and grass materials. Property owners who gather this dry fuel from around their homes and property can take it to the community green waste pit to have it burned. Removing this material creates defensible space around structures which increases the likelihood that a home will survive a wildfire.

Experienced fire and fuels specialists on the Tonto National Forest build prescribed fire plans using the most up-to-date science and modeling along with their combined on the ground fire and fuels experience. 

There will be minimal smoke impacts to the community of Gisela. Residual smoke may be present for several days as the pit burns down. Motorists are urged to use caution when traveling on Forest Roads 417 and 208. Affected communities should remain aware of smoke advisories and conditions. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow us on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or Twitter @TontoForest. 

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Logging operations will begin this week in Coconino National Forest surrounding Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.

The Southside Airport Timber Project is slated to begin Wednesday (March 1) and is comprised of 31 units and 2,023 acres adjacent to the airport, as far south as Old Munds Highway and as far east as Fay Canyon.

Harvesting this area will benefit the forest ecosystem by thinning overgrown stands of Ponderosa pine, improve foraging habitat for wildlife and reduce extreme wildfire risk to the community.

The public should be aware of falling timber and heavy truck traffic in the area, as operations will involve heavy machinery and log truck traffic along Forest Service roads 3E and 3T, with trucks entering and exiting Lake Mary Road at the intersections of Frontier, J.W. Powell and South Pulliam roads.

Signage will be displayed to inform the public when entering an area of operation.

Photo of the Southside Airport Multi Product Timber Sale

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Flagstaff has issued a Winter Storm Warning for much of Coconino County beginning Tuesday night through Thursday morning due to the possibility of heavy snowfall Wednesday. As with our recent storms, hazardous travel conditions, road closures, and power outages remain a concern.

By Thursday morning, communities above 3500’ elevation could see snow accumulations of 2 – 6 inches, with up to 12 inches possible above 4500’, and 12 – 24 inches expected at elevations above 6500’.

Snow Load Information
With the significant snowfall predicted in this storm added to what hasn’t melted yet, County staff would like to remind residents to be aware of the amount of snow accumulating on the roofs of homes and businesses and to take appropriate action to mitigate possible damage.

NWS calculates the snow load density as five pounds of pressure per square inch for every inch of actual precipitation that falls. With communities in the Flagstaff, Williams, Munds Park, Forest Lakes and surrounding expected to receive over 1 inch of real precipitation from this storm, Coconino's Community Development staff recommends inspecting homes and businesses for the following warning signs of impending overload:

• Sagging ceiling tiles or boards, ceiling boards falling out of the ceiling grid, and/or sagging sprinkler lines and sprinkler heads
• Popping, cracking, and creaking noises
• Sagging roof members, including metal decking or plywood sheathing
• Cracked or split wood members, or cracks in walls or masonry
• Severe roof leaks or excessive accumulation of water at non-drainage locations on low slope roofs

More information about snowloads can be found in on the FEMA website at https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema_snow_load_2014.pdf.

Supplies for Power Outages
Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) again requests the public prepare immediately for possible power outages due to high winds and snow accumulation.

• Stock up on non-perishable foods, baby formula, pet supplies, and medications.
• Be sure to have a battery-operated radio, flashlights, extra batteries, and a back-up phone charger.
• Do not use propane stoves or grills indoors for heat or cooking; this is an extreme danger for carbon dioxide poisoning.

Check the APS outage map for current conditions or to report a power interruption.

Roads and Interstates
Travel is expected to be especially dangerous on Wednesday and Thursday due to snow, high winds, and sub-zero temperatures that make ice persist on the roadway. There will likely be road and interstate closures, travel to and from Coconino County for recreation is not recommended.

Currently, Stoneman Lake Road east of Interstate 17 and Lake Mary Road between the north and south entrances to Mormon Lake remain closed until further notice.

For information regarding County maintained roads, please call Public Works at 928-679- 8300 during business hours (7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).

Warming Stations
Coconino County Emergency Management, in partnership with the American Red Cross, is again preparing emergency warming stations should communities lose power for extended periods of time. Locations will be determined and announced when/if the stations are needed.  

Coconino County Storm Information
County residents and visitors are encouraged to bookmark or follow the following web pages and social media accounts for the most up-to-date storm information:

Snow Removal Information: www.coconino.az.gov/snow
Official Twitter: @CoconinoCounty
Emergency Management Official Twitter: @coconinoem
Official Facebook: facebook.com/CoconinoCounty

Sign up for Coconino County Emergency Alerts at www.coconino.az.gov/ready.

Arizona Department of Transportation
Interstate and Highway closures: www.az511.com
Twitter: @ArizonaDOT
Facebook: facebook.com/AZDOT

National Weather Service
Local Forecast and Alerts: www.weather.gov/fgz
Twitter: @NWSFlagstaff
Facebook: facebook.com/NWSFlagstaff

Fire Managers on the Verde Ranger District plan to take advantage of the moisture received and burn 90 acres of piles on Tuesday, February 28, through Friday, March 3, 2023. Piles are located on Forest Service Road 104 near the Hang Glider Launch site (T15N, R2E, Sec2, 4), and Forest Service Road 106 near the Woodchute Trailhead (T15N, R 1.5E, Sec5) on Mingus Mountain. Fire managers expect smoke impacts to be light in the surrounding area with no road or trail closures.  Pile burning helps to reduce hazardous fuels adjacent to the wildland urban interface and increase ecosystem and community resilience.

In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the prescribed burn as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.

The purpose of this project is to reduce hazardous fuels following thinning and fuelwood removal activities. Reducing hazardous fuels will help reduce the threat of high-severity, high-intensity wildfire to the public, adjacent private property, and communities. Burning of debris left over from brush crush and thinning projects requires moisture in the surrounding vegetation and typically produces much lighter smoke than broadcast burning.

All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather, fuels, and conditions that minimize smoke impacts as much as possible, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).

Messages will be posted on social media when managed fires are ignited on the Prescott National Forest:

·Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/

·Twitter https://twitter.com/PrescottNF

For fire information please call Prescott National Forest Fire Information at (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.