Emergency Information

The National Park Service will burn piles of woody debris at Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Well. The burn date is scheduled for March 20th, 2019 and will be dependent on weather.  The piles of debris consist of invasive plants removed from Tavasci Marsh at Tuzigoot and the pasture trails from Montezuma Well. 



Fire managers will take advantage of existing clearings to minimize the chance of fire spread and potential spotting from the piles. The piles will be ignited by firefighters and monitored until the piles are completely out.



Monument visitors may see or smell smoke in the vicinity of the piles.  Signs will be posted advising visitors of possible smoke along potentially impacted trails in the area.



For more information on this debris burning project, please contact Tina Greenawalt, Chief of Natural Resources at 928-649-6195.



Montezuma Well is located at 5525 Beaver Creek Road, Rimrock, AZ 86335. For additional information, call 928-567-3322 x 221 or visit www.nps.gov/moca.



Tuzigoot National Monument is located at 25 Tuzigoot Road, Clarkdale, AZ. For additional information, call 928-634-5564 or visit www.nps.gov/tuzi.

The National Park Service plans to conduct a prescribed burn at Coronado National Memorial in mid to late March or early April 2019, when environmental factors such as wind, temperature, and relative humidity are favorable.

The 20 acre prescribed burn is located between the Memorial Visitor Center and the picnic area. It includes two separate units along E. Montezuma Canyon Road. Ignitions may take place over one to two days. Smoke may be visible from Palominas, Hereford and Sierra Vista. 

In order to ensure public and firefighter safety, fire managers may implement temporary closures or delays along E. Montezuma Canyon Road within the boundaries of the Memorial.  Additionally, the memorial picnic area and Joe’s Canyon Trail will be closed through the duration of the prescribed burn from the Memorial Visitor Center to the Yaqui Ridge Trail. The shuttle from the Memorial Visitor Center to Montezuma Pass Overlook may be cancelled for one to two days during and immediately following the prescribed burn.

The Headquarters Prescribed Burn will be implemented under the Huachuca FireScape Project environmental analysis, a multi-agency collaborative analysis to integrate fire and fuels management activities of three Federal agencies (Forest Service; National Park Service; Department of Defense) across approximately 400,000 acres. 

The purposes of the Huachuca FireScape Project are to reduce the costs, resource damage, and threats to public and firefighter safety from future wildland fires; restore and sustain ecological processes in fire-dependent ecosystems; create and maintain fuel conditions that produce manageable fire behavior and intensity; and encourage the restoration of vegetation and fuel conditions toward their historic conditions and ecological resiliency. 

For more information about events at Coronado National Memorial, please contact the visitor center at 520-366-5515 ext. 0, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/coro or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coronadonationalmemorial.

The public is invited to attend an Open House to tour the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The meeting will be from at 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, March 23 at the Gemini EOC, 2201 N. Gemini Rd. Flagstaff, Ariz.

The EOC  is a function of County government to coordinate and respond to disaster events. The Open House will be an opportunity for the community to tour the EOC, learn about radio communications, ask questions and meet disaster emergency responders.

WHAT:  EOC Open House

WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday, Mar. 23, 2019 

WHERE: 2201 N. Gemini Rd. Flagstaff, Ariz.

WHO: Anyone can attend

See for a http://coconino.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/27871/EOC-Open-House-Flyer Flyer for the Event.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and the Pima County Public Health Department announced today that a 12-month-old infant from Pima County has been diagnosed with measles. The confirmed case is in a person with Asia-related travel. The Pima County Public Health Department and ADHS are currently investigating to learn if there was any community exposure to the disease.  

“We are working with our healthcare and public health partners to make sure we quickly identify any possible exposures to the community that may have occurred,” said Marcy Flanagan, Director of the Pima County Health Department. “As more and more cities and counties across the United States experience cases of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, we are working hard to prevent that from happening in Pima County.”

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles symptoms appear seven to 12 days after exposure but may take up to 21 days to appear. It begins with a fever (101 F or higher), red, watery eyes, cough and runny nose and is followed by a rash that is red, raised, and blotchy. The rash begins on the face at the hairline and moves down the body and may last five to six days.

“We know that infectious diseases are just a plane ride away,” Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease that can spread quickly. We recommend that everyone is vaccinated against measles to help keep our communities safe." 

Measles can be prevented with the MMR vaccine. The vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps and rubella. The CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination. The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective.

You are immune to measles if you have received two doses of the MMR vaccines or were born before 1957 and have received one MMR vaccine. Health care providers are required to report suspect cases of measles to their local health department.

What to do if you think you have measles:

• If you have a healthcare provider, contact him/her by phone and let them know that you may have been exposed to measles. They will let you know when to visit their office so as not to expose others in the waiting area.
• If you do not have a health care provider, you may need to be seen at your local hospital emergency room/urgent care center. Please call before going to let them know you may have measles.

For information about measles, visit the Arizona Department of Health Services’ website at azhealth.gov/measles.  

Fire specialists from the Tonto National Forest plan to burn 40 acres of vegetative debris piles on Thursday, March 7. This one-day prescribed fire treatment will occur north of Payson along the south side of the Beaver Valley area.

Residents and visitors can expect to see and smell moderate amounts of smoke during the treatment. Smoke will impact Beaver Valley Estates, Houston Mesa Road, Cold Springs, Whispering Pines, and Bonita Creek Estates during the day. In the evening, smoke will affect Beaver Valley, Flowing Springs and East Verde Estates. Smoke may linger in these areas through Saturday, March 9.

Signs will be posted on roads that are likely to be affected by smoke. Forest officials urge motorists to use caution and slow down while driving through these areas for the safety of firefighters and the public.

To minimize the impact of smoke, fire specialists will end ignitions by 3 p.m.

Prescribed fire treatments are conducted within a “prescription” that is determined by appropriate fuel moisture, temperature, humidity, wind, and ventilation. The purpose of this fuels reduction work is to lower the threat of high-severity, high-intensity wildfire to the public, adjacent private property and natural resources in the Wildland Urban Interface area surrounding communities.

Please check InciWeb for updates and maps: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5925/

 

Contact: Carrie Templin (602) 225-5290

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @TontoForest

 

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management announces the release of a new mobile phone application that provides local fire and forestry information to the user.

The application offers wildland fire information, fire restriction notifications and details, fire prevention tips, Office of the State Fire Marshal’s plans and payment portal, and forest health related information.

It also allows users to sign up for push alerts that will send notifications of any critical information, such as fires near their area, fire restrictions, even forest health concerns.

Users can also connect to the agency’s social media pages, get questions answered, and submit anonymous tips, photos, and other information.

“The Department of Forestry and Fire Management is excited to be able to use this technology to better serve our residents. The mobile application offers another outlet for pertinent, often times, urgent information and connects users to real-time information at their fingertips,” said Public Affairs Officer Tiffany Davila.

The free mobile application can be found for IOS users on iTunes and Google Play for Android users and by searching Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or by email at [email protected]. 

Arizona State Forestry Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arizonastateforestry/

Arizona State Forestry Twitter: https://twitter.com/azstateforestry

Fire managers for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona Strip District are planning to burn slash debris piles located 65 miles south of St. George, Utah near Mt. Trumbull. Depending upon conditions, the burns will begin early March 2019 and last through mid-April 2019 if weather and fuel conditions allow.  The burns are intended to decrease future wildfire risk and protect cultural and natural resources.

Prescribed burns must meet strict weather-related and environmental factors prior to ignition.  BLM Arizona Strip fire staff will monitor on-site weather and fuel conditions and manage prescribed fire activity, before, during and after ignition operations. Smoke may be present during the length of the project in this remote area.  Smoke emissions will be managed in accordance with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regulations.

There are no closures anticipated but public access may be restricted during ignition and periods of active fire spread to ensure public safety.  Signs will be posted to notify the public. Please use caution when traveling in the area of the fire.

Contact: Rachel T. Carnahan 435-688-3303 or [email protected]

 

The Safford Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest expects to conduct the Fourmile Prescribed Fire as early as March 1, 2019. The project area consists of National Forest System lands in the northwest portion of the Galiuro Mountains in southeastern Arizona, and is included in the Forest’s Galiuro FireScape Project.

The project boundaries lie between Rattlesnake Creek on the east and the Forest Boundary on the west and contains portions of the Fourmile, Rattlesnake and Pipestem drainages, including both wilderness and non-wilderness lands in rugged terrain.

Approximately 11,500 acres are planned for the project. Burning may continue for several days or be intermittent, with ignitions occurring as fuel and weather conditions become suitable during March and early April.

Fire has played an important ecological role in the history of the grassland and woodland ecosystems of southeastern Arizona. Regular intervals of naturally-occurring fire restricted the growth of shrubs in grasslands, thinned forests of fire-intolerant trees, increased stream flows, and renewed wildlife habitat. A decrease in the frequency of natural fire has resulted in areas of dense, overgrown vegetation and the accumulation of fuel available for wildfires.

The project is designed to reduce the accumulation of hazardous fuels, improve range and watershed conditions, improve wildlife habitat, return the ecosystem to a more fire-resilient state, and reduce the likelihood of future high-intensity wildfires within the project area. By reducing the probability of extreme fire behavior in future wildland fires, the intent is to subsequently reduce threats to firefighter and public safety as well as reduce costs and natural resource damage due to wildfires.

Smoke will be visible periodically from Sulphur Springs Valley and Bonita, Willcox, Benson, San Manuel, Oracle, Klondyke and the surrounding areas for the duration of the project. Temporary road and trail closures will go into effect as prescribed fire activities progress. Closure orders will be posted as appropriate.

Partners include Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Bureau of Land Management and The Nature Conservancy.

 

Contact: (520) 388-8343

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CoronadoNF

Twitter: @Coronado_NF

Potential road closure on Forest Road 61

Coronado National Forest, Sierra Vista Ranger District will conduct a prescribed burn in coordination with the National Park Service, Coronado National Memorial.    

The Border I Prescribed Burn is scheduled to occur in early to mid-March, 2019 depending on weather conditions.  The 1,160 acre burn is located on the west side of the Huachuca Mountains, adjacent to Montezuma Pass. The burn unit will encompass Forest Service and National Park Service managed lands from Forest Road 61 west to Copper Canyon and south to the Border Road. 

In order to ensure public and firefighter safety, Montezuma Pass Overlook will be closed during burning operations.  Additionally, Forest Road 61 may be closed during active ignitions for public safety.  Smoke from the burn will occur during operations, and is anticipated to be sporadic for a few days following the burn. 

The Border I Prescribed Burn will directly benefit the ranger district and Coronado National Memorial by addressing the purposes of the Huachuca FireScape Project environmental analysis, a multi-agency collaborative analysis to integrate the fire and fuels management activities of three Federal agencies (Forest Service; National Park Service; Department of Defense) across approximately 400,000 acres. 

The purposes of the Huachuca FireScape Project are to reduce the costs, resource damage, and threats to public and firefighter safety from future wildland fires; restore and sustain ecological processes in fire-dependent ecosystems; create and maintain fuel conditions that produce manageable fire behavior and intensity; and encourage the restoration of vegetation and fuel conditions toward their historic conditions and ecological resiliency. 

For more information contact the Sierra Vista Ranger District located at 4070 S. Avenida Saracino in Hereford, Arizona.  The office can be reached by calling (520) 378-0311.  Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

The American Red Cross has closed all SOUTHERN Arizona shelters. There are still open Red Cross shelters at  PAYSON HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM, 301 South McClane, in Payson  and  PINE FIRE STATION #41, 6198 W. Hardscrabble Mesa Rd in Pine.

Cochise County does have warming centers (non-Red Cross) open at St. Andrew’s Church in Sierra Vista and at the Douglas Fire Station.

We will continue to assess community's needs, as we work closely with our emergency Management partners.  Communities can continue to check our social media accounts and http://redcross.org/shelters  for any shelter updates.

 

While there’s plenty of snow in the high country thanks to this week’s powerful storm, drivers should resist the temptation to park along state highways to play in it, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Arizona Department of Transportation.

Highway shoulders are for emergencies only. By law, you must exit highways and park in designated areas beyond the highway right of way before building that snowman.

The reasons come down to safety: Other drivers may be distracted by your vehicle; other drivers may pull over as well to play in the snow, compounding the problem; your vehicle may interfere with first responders who need to use the shoulder; ADOT snowplows hurl snow and ice far off highways; and it’s far safer for you and other drivers if you re-enter highways from on-ramps and other designated entrances.

Then there’s the obvious danger of parking and playing near fast-moving traffic that's using what could be a still-icy road.

AZDPS troopers and other law enforcement officers can cite motorists for parking on a controlled-access highway in violation of state laws. Violators can face expensive fines.

Safety in the high country extends beyond where you park to how you get ready for the trip.

Leave prepared for the possibility you’ll be delayed by slowing and even closures caused by heavy traffic, weather and crashes by packing an emergency kit that includes, at a minimum, blankets, extra food and water, necessary medications and sand or cat litter for traction. Also have a fully charged cellphone and make sure your gas tank at least half to three-quarters full at all times.

Dress for winter weather, including a heavy coat, gloves, a scarf and a cap.

ADOT has more safety tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Those heading to popular snow-play sites should prepare for heavy traffic and may want to consider making an earlier start home, as traffic back tends to build as the day goes on.

In addition to not parking along highway shoulders to play in the snow, those who head to US 180 northwest of Flagstaff should be prepared for heavy traffic toward Flagstaff at day’s end. While it won’t save time back to Flagstaff, drivers heading south can reach Interstate 17 faster by following a marked alternate route to Interstate 40 at Butler Avenue, via Switzer Canyon Road and Route 66, and then heading west to I-17.

Information on designated snow-play areas around Flagstaff is available at FlagstaffArizona.org (follow the Winter Recreation link) or by calling 1.844.256.SNOW.

For the latest highway conditions around the state, visit ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov or call 511. ADOT’s accounts on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook (facebook.com/AZDOT) are sources of information and interaction.

 

The Red Cross Shelter, at the PINE Community Center, has been RELOCATED to  the PINE FIRE STATION #41, 6198 W. Hardscrabble Mesa Rd.

The shelters in Kingman & Payson, are still open and accepting guests:

 PAYSON HIGH SCHOOL Gymnasium, 301 South McClane, in Payson (AZ).

KINGMAN COMMUNITY CENTER, 3345 Harrison Street in Kingman (AZ).

We will continue working to assess the community's needs, as we work closely with our Emergency Management partners.  Communities can continue to check our social media accounts and /or http://redcross.org/shelters,  for any shelter updates.

Multiple stretches of Arizona’s highways were closed as of Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 21, due to a powerful winter storm whose fury continues across much of the state.

With the heavy weather expected to last into Friday and snow forecast to extend into southeastern Arizona overnight, the safest option remains delaying travel to and through higher elevations until the Arizona Department of Transportation’s plows have cleared highways of snow and ice. Motorists in lower elevations may see some snow along with considerable rainfall.

Wherever they travel in whatever weather they face, motorists should slow down for safety and expect the unexpected. Those traveling in areas with snow and ice should give ADOT’s plows plenty of room to work, staying at least four vehicle lengths behind and never passing a working plow until the operator pulls over to let traffic pass.

As of 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, these were the major highway restrictions around Arizona. Because the situation remains dynamic, the best way to keep track of highway closures, restrictions and conditions is following ADOT’s Twitter account at (@ArizonaDOT), calling 511, using the free ADOT Alerts app available at ADOTAlerts.com and visiting the Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov. A pop-up alert on ADOT’s homepage, azdot.gov, has an updated list of major closures:

• I-17 northbound at State Route 179, milepost 298
• I-40 eastbound at State Route 95, with traffic detouring south on SR 95
• Both directions of State Route 87 between State Route 188 and Payson, mileposts 238-250, and between Payson and Winslow, mileposts 254-337
• Both directions State Route 260 between Star Valley and Heber-Overgaard, mileposts 256-302, and eastbound State Route 260 east of milepost 228 near Interstate 17 
• Both directions of SR 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff, mileposts 375-398

If decide to travel, slow down for safety, budget plenty of time and leave prepared for the possibility that you will be delayed by closures related to weather and crashes. Four-wheel-drive vehicles and chains are recommended in areas with heavy snow.

ADOT has winter-driving tips available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

At the request of emergency management, The American Red Cross has now opened a third shelter, at the Payson High School gymnasium, 301 South McClane, in Payson.

There are already 10 residents who are taking shelter there.

The shelter at the Kingman Community Center, 3345 Harrison Street in Kingman, is also open.

In addition, a shelter has been opened to serve the Strawberry/Pine communities at the Pine Community Center, 3886 North Highway 87, in Pine.

Red Cross shelters are open to anyone needing a safe place to stay.

We will continue to assess the community's needs, as we work closely with our emergency management partners.  

Communities can continue to check our social media accounts and http://redcross.org/shelters  for any shelter updates.

The American Red Cross has opened new shelters to serve the Strawberry/Pine communities at the Pine Community Center, 3886 North Highway 87, in Pine, Arizona.

Red Cross has also opened one shelter in Kingman at the Kingman Community Center, 3345 Harrison Street in Kingman, Arizona.

There are currently no open shelters in Payson.  

We continue to assess the community's needs, as we also work closely with our emergency management partners.  

Communities can check our social media accounts and  http://redcross.org/shelters  for any shelter updates.

With snow continuing to fall, putting off travel is the safest option

Multiple stretches of Arizona’s highways remained closed Thursday afternoon, Feb. 21, due to a powerful winter storm whose fury continues across much of the state.

With the heavy weather expected to last into Friday, the safest option at present is for drivers to delay travel to and through higher elevations until the Arizona Department of Transportation’s plows have cleared highways of snow and ice. Motorists in lower elevations may see some snow along with considerable rainfall.

Wherever they travel and in whatever weather they face, motorists should slow down for safety and expect the unexpected. Those traveling in areas with snow and ice should give ADOT’s plows plenty of room to work, staying at least four vehicle lengths behind and never passing a working plow until the operator pulls over to let traffic pass.

At 1:15 p.m., these were the major highway restrictions around Arizona. Because the situation remains dynamic, the best way to keep track of highway closures, restrictions and conditions is following ADOT’s Twitter account at (@ArizonaDOT), calling 511, using the free ADOT Alerts app available at ADOTAlerts.com and visiting the Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov. A pop-up alert on ADOT's homepage, azdot.gov, also has an updated list of closures:

• I-40 eastbound was closed at SR 95 in northwestern Arizona, with traffic detoured south on State Route 95.
• State Route 89A just outside of Flagstaff was closed between mileposts 387-398.
• State Route 260 was closed in both directions between Star Valley and Heber-Overgaard. SR 260 eastbound was closed at milepost 228 east of I-17.
• State Route 87 southbound was closed just south of Payson at milepost 250.
• State Route 87 was closed from Payson to Winslow, mileposts 254-337. 

If decide to travel in the high country, slow down for safety, budget plenty of time and leave prepared for the possibility that you will be delayed by closures related to weather and crashes. Four-wheel-drive vehicles and chains are recommended in some areas due to heavy snow.

ADOT has winter-driving tips available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is warning backcountry mountain travelers to be alert for potential avalanche hazards on the San Francisco Peaks. The existing snowpack, recent wind events, and a large amount of new snow could produce hazardous conditions in the backcountry. This includes the side country bordering the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Area.   Avalanche mitigation and patrolling is conducted within the Arizona Snowbowl, but there is no avalanche control or routine patrolling in the forest outside of the Snowbowl. Those traveling into the backcountry need to be prepared for and understand the conditions prior to venturing out. Avalanches most commonly occur during a storm or within 24 hours of the storm ending, however unstable conditions may persist long beyond that timeframe. Backcountry travelers need to understand the conditions and the warning signs of avalanche activity.   People venturing into mountainous terrain should carry avalanche rescue equipment such as a shovel, avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe, and winter survival gear. Good wilderness navigation and route finding skills are essential. Be prepared for travel and emergencies in the remote winter mountain environment where rescue is not immediate. Do not travel alone and leave a detailed trip plan with a responsible person. It is important to review recent weather reports and forecasts as well as driving conditions prior to and during your trip. Carrying a cell phone is recommended; however, it may not always work in backcountry locations and should not substitute for good judgment and preparation.   Backcountry users can obtain Snowpack Summary which outlines possible snowpack hazards from the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center at www.kachinapeaks.org. Observations by other backcountry travelers are also posted on the site. Natural avalanche activity had been reported on the San Francisco Peaks prior to this current storm. In addition to snow observations the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center provides educational materials on the website as well as sponsoring Introduction to Avalanche seminars and more in-depth avalanche field training.   Winter backcountry travel into the Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area from Arizona Snowbowl and Snowbowl Road requires a free annual backcountry permit. This includes the parking areas at FR 522 and Lamar Haines Wildlife Area. Backcountry permits are available in Flagstaff at the Peaks Ranger Station, 5075 N. Highway 89, and the Coconino National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 1824 S Thompson St. Permits will also be available at Arizona Snowbowl’s Agassiz Lodge weekend mornings when the ski area is open.

From record snow to the north, to intense rains to the south, Arizona is experiencing its most intense winter storm of the season.

Due to heavy snow closing I-40, at Stockton Hill near Kingman (AZ), your Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Kingman Community Center, 3345 Harrison Street in Kingman.

The shelter, which opened at 06:00, in conjunction with local authorities, is offering a warm place to get out of the cold, blankets, cots, snacks and compassionate and caring volunteers.

Red Cross Emergency personnel, are continuing to monitor severe conditions , have materials and supplies positioned in strategic locations across the region and volunteers on stand-by, ready to assist at a moment's notice.

Contact:

Dave Knoer
Public Information Officer, American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Chapter
602 486-2006
[email protected]

With the possibility of more snow and frigid temperatures on the way later this week, the Red Cross has some tips for getting prepared for when severe weather hits.

HEAT YOUR HOME SAFELY

It’s the time of year when many people resort to space heaters and other sources to keep their homes warm. Home heating is the second leading cause of fires in this country. To reduce the risk of heating related fires, the Red Cross recommends these steps (More home fire safety information available here):

All heaters need space. Keep children, pets, and anything that can burn (paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heating equipment.

If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard, and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, carpets or near bedding or drapes. Plug power cords directly into outlets - never into an extension cord.

Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.  

Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.

Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.

STAY SAFE DURING WINTER WEATHER

Bundle up! Wear layers of clothing, including a hat, gloves, and waterproof, insulated boots.

Check on your neighbors, especially elderly people living alone, people with disabilities, and children.

Bring pets indoors. If they can’t come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water. Check out our Pet Disaster Preparedness tips.

WINTER TRAVEL SAFETY

Stay off the road if possible during severe weather. If you must drive in winter weather, follow these tips:

Make sure everyone has their seat belts on and give your full attention to the road.

Don’t follow other vehicles too closely; sudden stops are more difficult on snowy roadways.

Don’t use cruise control when driving in winter weather.

Carry an emergency kit in your car containing a first aid kit, duct tape, emergency blanket, flashlight, food, and extra batteries.

Be especially careful driving over ramps, bridges, and overpasses since they freeze before roadways.

 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

 

With heavy rain and snow forecast across Arizona from Wednesday night through Thursday, drivers should slow down for safety and consider putting off travel as conditions can change quickly, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Because sections of highway in northern Arizona can close due to crashes and heavy snow during extreme winter storms, the safest option is always to wait out the storm before driving. It’s also the most-efficient decision, as a highway takes much longer to plow when it’s jammed with vehicles that shouldn’t be traveling on a roadway that’s slick with snow and ice.

Before deciding whether and when to travel, check weather reports and get the latest highway conditions by visiting ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, calling 511 or reviewing ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT). When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at ADOTAlerts.com will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.

ADOT crews are ready to plow snow and ice on highways, but it can still be hazardous to drive in a storm where visibility and road surface conditions can change quickly. Drivers can help out plow operators by never passing a snowplow that’s clearing a highway until the driver pulls over to let traffic pass.

If delaying travel isn’t possible, leave prepared for the possibility that you’ll spend extended time in winter conditions. Pack an emergency kit with items like extra blankets, warm clothes, food and water, cat litter or sand for traction, a first-aid kit and a fully charged cellphone.

Make sure to slow down and drive for the conditions you’re in. Be sure to leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

For more winter-driving tips, visit azdot.gov/KnowSnow.