Arizona Emergency Information Network

 Prioritized Arizonans can begin registering at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 6, for nearly 13,000 appointments at the state vaccination site at the University of Arizona’s campus in central Tucson. 

The appointments are available from Sunday, March 7, through Sunday, March 14. The site is currently available to those in phases 1A, which includes healthcare workers and residents and staff in long-term care facilities, and prioritized 1B, which includes those 65 and older, educators, and protective services workers. Eligibility will expand to those 55 and older in the coming weeks.  

Prioritized individuals can register for these appointments by visiting podvaccine.azdhs.gov or calling the bilingual COVID-19 Vaccine Navigation Help Desk at 1-844-542-8201. Note: You can use the patient portal at podvaccine.azdhs.gov to make an appointment for a relative in a prioritized group.

Information about all vaccination sites across Arizona can be found at azhealth.gov/findvaccine. 

The University of Arizona site currently operates between 10 a.m and 10 p.m seven days a week, but can expand to 24/7 operation when additional vaccine is available.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination, please visit azdhs.gov/COVID19Vaccines.

On March 5, 2021, the Pima County Health Department released an updated Public Health Advisory covering numerous COVID-19 response related topics. The advisory comes as yet another category on the Pima County’s COVID-19 Progress Report moved into the improved “Progress” category.

“We want to continue cautiously moving forward,” said Dr. Theresa Cullen, Health Department Director. “There are encouraging signs across the board as far as cases, hospitalizations, and vaccine distribution but, we cannot let our guard down.”

The Public Health Advisory notes that despite improvements, February’s approximately 8,000 cases reported was still the fourth highest number of cases in a single month since the pandemic started one year ago. The advisory covers a number of topics including:

• An update on the vaccination efforts in Pima County, including the County expecting to surpass their 300,000 vaccination goal nearly three weeks sooner than expected. As of March 5, 2021, there have been 293,593 doses delivered in Pima County.
• The increased availability of Monoclonal Antibodies treatment within Pima County. Currently Banner Health, Tucson Medical Center, Northwest Medical Center, Oro Valley Hospital, and the Tucson Veterans Administration Hospital offer some level of Monoclonal Antibodies treatment.
• Current recommendations for continuing the use of tools like masks, limits on gatherings and other mitigation practices among individuals and businesses. Most notably, the end of the County’s voluntary curfew as of March 5, 2021, and the end of capacity limitations at restaurants.
• Reopening park and recreation facilities for organized sports with a limit of 50 spectators outdoors, face masks for coaches, officials, spectators, and athletes who are not actively playing, and other mitigation measures.

The County COVID-19 Progress Report now only has one category that remains in the “Red” stage – the total number of cases per 100,000 residents. That measurement could also improve in the coming weeks if cases stay on the decline.

“The important thing to remember is that these are all pieces of a larger puzzle,” said Cullen. “Our efforts to get vaccines out quickly, the continued use of masks in the community, and so on, are driving those measurements down together. To keep it going in the right direction, we all have to keep on doing those things.”

The Progress Report is updated every Thursday using data from two weeks in the past. This allows time to ensure that the data being used to inform the report has been verified and is as accurate as possible.

You can find the full Public Health Advisory and see the latest Progress Report at www.pima.gov/covid19

Governor Doug Ducey today announced the next phase of COVID-19 mitigation.  With cases dropping in Arizona, and vaccine distribution underway, it’s still important to keep our guard up, and these protocols reflect that approach.

The announcement follows 7 weeks of declining cases in Arizona, and the distribution of more than 2 million vaccines.

The following changes are reflected in a new Executive Order from Governor Ducey:

• For businesses, physical distancing and mask protocols will remain in place, however specific occupancy percentage limitations will expire. This applies to restaurants, gyms, theaters, water parks, bowling alleys, and bars providing dine in services.
• Spring Training and Major League Sports will have the ability to operate upon submission and approval of a plan to the Arizona Department of Health Services that demonstrates implementation of safety precautions and physical distancing.
• Mayors and local entities will still be precluded from implementing extreme measures that shut down businesses.

“We’ve learned a lot over the past year,” said Governor Ducey. “Our businesses have done an excellent job at responding to this pandemic in a safe and responsible way. We will always admire the sacrifice they and their employees have made and their vigilance to protect against the virus. 

“Unlike other states, we never did a shutdown here in Arizona. We withstood the calls from the extremes on both sides, and we will continue to ignore them. We always knew that fighting this virus would be dependent on the personal responsibility of everyday Arizonans.

“Like the rest of the country, Arizona has made its way out of the winter surge of cases. And we are leading the nation in the vaccination roll out. Our mitigation strategies have been targeted and data driven. 

“Today’s announcement is a measured approach; we are not in the clear yet. We need to continue practicing personal responsibility. Wear a mask. Social distance. Stay home when you’re sick and wash your hands frequently. 

“With the vaccine rollout advancing rapidly, we continue to have hope for the future.”

View the Governor's Executive Order HERE.

Arizona has administered its 2 millionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine as the state and local partners work to get the currently limited supply into arms as quickly as possible, including highly targeted efforts in underserved areas. 

As of this morning, 2,016,512 doses had been administered to 1,312,951 individuals, including 711,074 who have received both doses. 

“This is certainly a milestone, but there is plenty of work ahead and millions more Arizonans in need of vaccination,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “We are grateful to all of the medical professionals, volunteers, and frontline workers involved in getting vaccine into the community, and to all of the Arizonans who have made the decision to get vaccinated.”

Of those doses, 487,522, or 24%, have been administered at state sites offered at State Farm Stadium, Arizona State University’s Phoenix Municipal Stadium, and Chandler-Gilbert Community College in the Phoenix area and at the University of Arizona’s campus in central Tucson. 

As vaccine administration continues to expand, a priority for ADHS is reaching communities most impacted by COVID-19. ADHS and partners continue an effort in ZIP code 85009 just west of downtown Phoenix, an effort that includes targeted use of social media in English and Spanish as well as hundreds of yard signs promoting vaccination and wearing masks. Interaction with community leaders has also led to a collaboration to get residents 65 and older to appointments at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. 

Last week, residents of that ZIP code received a call recorded by Dr. Christ inviting them to participate in a telephone town hall about COVID-19 vaccination. Nearly 600 stayed on the line for a moderated 30-minute session, during which Dr. Christ provided information about COVID-19 and several participants asked her questions. 

A Spanish language telephone town hall was held two nights later, drawing more than 600 participants, and English and Spanish follow-up sessions are planned next week.

This highly targeted campaign, focusing on an area with higher COVID-19 cases and lower vaccination rates than many others, is part of a multi-pronged effort through which ADHS is engaging underserved populations directly and through partners including county health departments. 

“Getting vaccine to all Arizonans who want to be vaccinated is an all-hands-on-deck effort for ADHS and our partners,” Dr. Christ said. “Our goal is removing barriers as soon as we identify them and taking advantage of every opportunity to do things better.”

Next up is a plan to expand this approach into underserved neighborhoods in areas of southwest and east Phoenix while looking to reach even more of Arizona.

ADHS offers a bilingual COVID-19 Vaccine Navigation Help Desk at 844.542.8011 for those needing extra assistance with registration and answers to questions. When about 50,000 appointments were made available on Tuesday, March 2, at State Farm Stadium and Phoenix Municipal Stadium, the help desk handled 1,562 calls from Spanish speakers.

The agency continues to add information and resources in Spanish, including the online scheduling tool at podvaccine.azdhs.gov. 

All such plans stem from coordination with county partners, healthcare providers, and community leaders. 

Dr. Christ recently held a virtual discussion on vaccine equity with David Adame, president and CEO of Chicanos Por La Causa; Tomas Leon, senior vice president for marketing and strategy at Equality Health; and Alan “AP” Powell, founding chairman of Herozona Foundation, and Marcy Flanagan, the Executive Director of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. During this session, ADHS and Maricopa County representatives briefed the group and sought input on community-wide and highly targeted local campaigns. ADHS representatives also discussed leveraging the successful “Roll Up Your Sleeve” campaign from this influenza season for the COVID-19 effort, including pre-made educational and marketing materials that the agency can offer with a partner’s branding. The group agreed to meet again soon to further leverage this partnership.

Local health departments have been working to reach communities impacted by COVID-19 and increase vaccine uptake. Maricopa County Department of Public Health is coordinating with community organizations to put community-based vaccine sites directly in high-risk communities. The Pima County Health Department, partnering with local community based organizations and faith-based leaders, has been providing mobile vaccination opportunities to those most in need. 

Information about all vaccination sites across Arizona can be found at azhealth.gov/findvaccine. Those without computer access or needing extra help registering can call 1-844-542-8201 to be connected with someone who can assist. Note: You can use the patient portal at podvaccine.azdhs.gov to make an appointment for a relative in a prioritized group.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination, please visit azdhs.gov/COVID19Vaccines.

 Pima County and Paradigm Laboratories will be closing the Downtown Tucson Testing Center, 88 W. Broadway Blvd., March 6 due to shifting testing needs throughout the County. The site, located just south of Tucson Electric Power, has been offering free COVID-19 tests since October 14, 2020.

"Overall testing demands have diminished across the county,” said Dr. Francisco Garcia, Deputy County Administrator and Chief Medical Officer for Pima County. “This is part of a prudent effort to consolidate resources to achieve cost savings while continuing to maintain the availability of testing in Pima County.”

Patients with appointments on March 6 or later at the Downtown Tucson Testing Center will be contacted by Paradigm Laboratories to reschedule at another location.

The County and its partners continue to offer numerous testing options for nasal swab and saliva tests. Visit pima.gov/covid19testing for testing locations, hours of operation and registration information.

Pine engraver beetles are actively infesting ponderosa pine trees across areas of the Prescott National Forest. Aerial detection surveys conducted by the US Forest Service in early February 2021 recorded a ten-fold increase in ponderosa pine mortality caused by these bark beetles since August 2020 with more than 2,000 acres impacted. The 2021 survey focused on Mingus Mountain, the Bradshaw Mountains, and the Crown King area. Most tree mortality was observed in the Bradshaw Mountains, but elevated mortality was also mapped on Mingus Mountain. Ponderosa pine mortality is expected to increase in 2021, especially if continued warm and dry conditions occur and in areas of high tree density or weakened trees.

Populations of these bark beetles have increased in response to dry and warm conditions during the last year. Because these beetles have a high reproductive potential with two or more generations per year, they can take advantage of suitable climate conditions and weakened trees.  During periods of extended drought, pine trees become water-stressed and their defenses reduced giving beetles an upper hand. Often there is a lag between the start of drought and when beetle activity increases to the level that it becomes noticeable. However, usually once the drought ends and trees recover, beetle populations typically collapse, and tree mortality diminishes.  

Infested trees are typically first noticed by a change in color of pine needles (fading) from green to straw to reddish-brown throughout the summer and early fall. When large trees are attacked by these beetles, they often exhibit a characteristic top-down fade pattern. Close inspection of tree trunks will reveal rust-colored boring dust in bark crevices and possibly popcorn-sized wads of pine resin before the needles begin to fade. By the time all the pine needles have faded to brown, the beetles that killed a tree will have vacated and pinhead-sized exit holes can be seen on the bark surface.

If infested trees are detected early after attack, trees can be felled and disposed. Note, beetles will still emerge from felled trees, so once the tree is cut it needs to be either removed from the site to a location with no hosts for the beetle or destroyed. During warm weather these beetles can complete their lifecycle in 1-2 months, so tree removal/destruction needs to be completed quickly.

Promoting vigorously growing ponderosa pine in stands with a diversity of tree species and sizes is the best long-term approach to lessening the effects of bark beetles in ponderosa pine.  Typically, this is achieved through thinning, which decreases competition for water among the remaining trees. Thinning during non-drought years allows the trees ample time to adjust to and take advantage of the added space. 

To provide short-term protection against bark beetle attack, individual, high-value trees can be treated with an application of insecticide sprays (registered for use on pines). Private landowners wishing to treat individual trees should contact the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management at (602) 771-1400 or Yavapai County Extension office at (928) 445-6590 for additional information. Although pheromone repellents (e.g., verbenone or MCH) may work to prevent other bark beetle species from attacking trees, no pheromone treatments  have been demonstrated to protect ponderosa pine trees from the engraver beetle species currently infesting the ponderosa in the Prescott area. Keeping ponderosa pine trees well-watered during dry periods can promote vigorous growth in landscape trees and increase defense against beetle attack. Landowners are reminded to not stack beetle-infested firewood or green logs against or near desired ponderosa pine as beetles developing in this material are likely to attack adjacent trees when they emerge. 

The high risk of bark beetle on the Prescott National Forest has been a major concern since the major outbreak the forest experienced from 2001-2003. Following this outbreak, which resulted in the loss of more than 90,000 acres of ponderosa pine forest, the PNF has taken proactive steps to make the forest more resilient to bark beetle attacks. In the last 15 years the Prescott National Forest has completed thousands of acres of mechanical thinning treatments in the Prescott Basin in the areas surrounding Prescott and its neighboring communities. These thinning projects have been aimed at reducing the densities of ponderosa pine forests in order to reduce inter-tree competition for water while reducing the risk of stand replacing wildfire. The Prescott National Forest is committed to continue this proactive approach at thinning to improve forest health and allow our ponderosa pine forests to be resilient to insect damage in drought years.

More information can be found at:

• Arizona fivespined ips: https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/docs/fidls/FIDL-116-ArizonaFivespinedIps.pdf
• USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region Forest Health Protection: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r3/forest-grasslandhealth
• For proper watering techniques, refer to the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension brochure: https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1298-2017.pdf
• Stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.   

During the ever-evolving COVID-19 response, Coconino County continues to remain nimble to best meet the needs of the community.

Today, in accordance with the updated Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) COVID-19 vaccination guidelines, Coconino County is expanding vaccinations to individuals aged 55 and older as part of the current Phase 1b. Also, ADHS informed Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) that it has been allocated 1,100 doses of the JANSSEN single dose COVID-19 vaccine, developed by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

“Coconino County is following guidance from ADHS regarding Phase 1b which was recently updated to include the 55 plus age group. We understand that this move is intended to help those most at-risk and are pleased to offer the vaccine to these individuals,” said Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Director Kim Musselman. “We are also committed to providing vaccines to the county’s large frontline services workforce. We want to encourage all those who are working and providing in-person services in Coconino County to get vaccinated as soon as possible. It is important to note that vaccine supply is still very limited, but we continue to advocate for increased vaccine allocation and are excited about the addition of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.” 

Coconino County expects 1,100 doses of the Johnson & Johnson single dose COVID-19 vaccine to arrive early next week. The FDA issued the Emergency Use Authorization for this vaccine on Feb. 27, 2021. This vaccine is stored at the normal refrigerated temperature of between 2-8 degrees Celsius for up to three months and is for individuals 18 and older.   

Coconino County is currently vaccinating those eligible individuals in Phase 1a and Phase 1b. Those individuals currently eligible are: 

Phase 1a: Healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents and staff. 

Phase 1b: 

•    Education and childcare workers, teachers and staff. This includes all school and higher education staff who normally interact with other staff and students, and bus drivers, cafeteria workers, facilities staff etc.; Law enforcement and protective services (corrections, other emergency response staff); 

•    Individuals aged 55 and older. 

•    Power and utility workers 

•    Food and agriculture related occupations (packaging and distribution workers, grocery and restaurant workers). 

•    Transportation and material moving occupations (public transportation providers, airlines, gas stations, auto shop workers, and other transportation network providers). 

•    State and local government workers that provide critical services for continuity of government. 

•    Other essential workers (e.g., business and financial services, supply chain for critical goods, funeral services, critical trades, etc.). 

•    Adults with high-risk medical conditions living in shelter or other congregate living settings. 

Vaccine is provided at no cost at all COVID-19 vaccination sites. Individuals without internet access or those who require assistance can call the Coconino County COVID-19 Information Line at 928-679-7300. The Information Line hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The community is encouraged to check the Coconino County vaccine webpage at coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine each Friday at noon for new appointment availability. Links to vaccination partners registration sites are available on the website.

Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced today a new hybrid approach that provides Arizonans 55 and older eligibility along with front line essential workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The new approach launches today in the Phoenix Metro Area.

Arizona will continue its age-based approach to administering the vaccine. The new hybrid approach will ensure the distribution of vaccine doses to individuals at high risk of severe outcomes, including hospitalization and death, from COVID-19 due to age while allowing local health departments to prioritize frontline essential workers through employer-based vaccination strategies. 

“This critical update provides more clarity for Arizonans and will result in rapid administration of vaccine to our most vulnerable populations,” said Governor Ducey. “Continuing to vaccinate older Arizonans against COVID-19 will help protect those at risk and cover a majority of Arizonans with chronic medical conditions. And, this hybrid approach will ensure an equitable distribution of vaccine to our front line workers who are working with the public every day.”

Ninety percent of Arizona’s deaths from COVID-19 have been among those 55 and older. Approximately 65 percent of those hospitalized due to COVID-19 are in that age group. Including adults 55 and older in the vaccine prioritization category will cover between 56 and 66 percent of Arizonans with medical conditions that place them at severe risk for adverse outcomes due to COVID-19. This figure grows to between 68 and 79 percent of Arizonans with high-risk medical conditions being eligible for vaccination when age of vaccine eligibility includes those 45 and older. 

To provide Arizonans with clarity, a range for transitioning the age-based eligibility has been established. Local health departments may transition to the next age category when they reach 55 percent of that age category vaccinated OR feel that there is no longer demand for vaccine. ADHS will be adding data to the AZDHS website showing the percent of the population vaccinated in each age category to provide information for when counties may be progressing to the next age category. This strategy allows everyone in the state to know approximately when they will be eligible to receive vaccine. Those with chronic conditions will be included in their respective age categories. 

This unanimous recommendation by the Arizona Vaccine and Antiviral Prioritization Advisory Committee (VAPAC), informed by data and strategies from federal and local partners, is intended to protect those who are most at risk for severe outcomes due to COVID-19, such as hospitalization and death. VAPAC includes state, local, and tribal experts, and health care partners. 

“As more vaccine reaches Arizona, we will continue refining our plan to maximize the benefits of this still-limited resource,” said ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ. “Moving to a hybrid approach will allow us to rapidly and efficiently administer the vaccine and provide all Arizonans with a clearer estimate of when they will be eligible to be vaccinated.”

ADHS will open approximately 50,000 vaccination appointments at State Farm Stadium and Phoenix Municipal Stadium at noon on Tuesday, March 2, to those 55 and older for appointments starting March 4. Arizonans 55 and older will also be eligible to schedule appointments at pharmacies and federally qualified health centers participating in the federal vaccination programs. 

In order to ensure younger populations at greatest risk of exposure will have access to vaccination as priority populations shift, local jurisdictions are able to prioritize frontline essential workers, based on available vaccine. Information on the phase each county is currently vaccinating, the number of doses ordered by each county, and location of vaccination sites can be found at azhealth.gov/findvaccine. 

More than 1.8 million doses of vaccine have been administered to more than 1.2 million Arizonans, including nearly 600,000 who have received both doses. 

Those in groups prioritized for vaccination can register for appointments at State Farm Stadium, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and multiple other vaccination sites at podvaccine.azdhs.gov/. Information about all vaccination sites across Arizona can be found at azhealth.gov/findvaccine. Those without computer access or needing extra help registering can call 1-844-542-8201 to be connected with someone who can assist. Note: You can use the patient portal at podvaccine.azdhs.gov to make an appointment for a relative in a prioritized group, such as someone 55 and older.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination, please visit azdhs.gov/COVID19Vaccines.

Coconino National Forest firefighters are planning to take advantage of favorable weather conditions tomorrow for a prescribed burn on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District, approximately 11 miles northeast of the Blue Ridge Ranger Station.

Bar-T-Bar Burn

• When: Tuesday, March 2.
• Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District. About 11 miles northeast of Blue Ridge Ranger Station. GPS: 34.68 -111.02
• Size: 775 acres
• Duration: 1 day operation
• Method/Type of burn: hand ignitions of slash from juniper clipping
• Smoke Impacts: With southwest winds predicted, smoke is predicted to move toward the northeast and will be visible from state Route 87. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn.
• Closures/Restrictions: None

Prescribed burns are always dependent upon weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The public can view approved prescribed burns on ADEQ’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov. Coconino National Forest burns begin with the designator “COF.”

Notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided regularly by news releases throughout the season and also by the following online resources:

Coconino NF’s Twitter account: www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF

Coconino NF public website: www.coconinonationalforest.us

Coconino NF’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/coconinonf

Sign up to receive news releases from Coconino NF: Click here

Fire Managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District will begin implementing the Pipeline RX starting as early as Monday, March 1st and continuing through Saturday, March 6th.  Firefighters plan to treat 700 acres near the community of Groom Creek (T13N, R2W, SEC 27,28,33,34) when conditions are favorable; including air quality, wind direction and weather forecasts. 

The Pipeline RX will reduce fuels, restore wildlife habitat and improve forest health. Prescribed fire is an effective tool to restore fire-adapted ecosystems by applying low- to moderate-intensity fire to the landscape under specific conditions within predetermined boundaries. Areas treated with prescribed fire can positively impact future wildfires by reducing fire intensity and adverse smoke effects and increasing the safety margin for firefighters.  

Smoke impacts can be expected in Groom Creek, Ponderosa Park, and along Senator Hwy.

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 units as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.  Drivers should be prepared for short delays on roads adjacent to the burn. Recreational users are asked to please avoid the use of Trails 383 and 384 during this time period.

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

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

• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/)  
• Twitter (https://twitter.com/PrescottNF?lang=en)

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.

On Friday, Feb. 26 at noon, Coconino County will open over 700 first dose COVID-19 vaccination
appointments for the Fort Tuthill County Park vaccination site. Appointment times are available on Monday, March 1 and Tuesday, March 2.

Those interested in scheduling an appointment can visit coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine and navigate to Vaccine Locations webpage, then click on the Flagstaff - March, Fort Tuthill, First Dose link. With the release of additional appointments, Coconino County is also unveiling a Spanish vaccine registration system. English and Spanish registration links for Monday and Tuesday appointments can be found at noon on Friday at coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine.

Registration is open to eligible individuals in Phase 1a and Phase 1b. All eligible populations are listed below:
• Phase 1a: Healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents and staff
• Phase 1b:

• Education and childcare workers, teachers and staff. This includes all school and higher education staff who normally interact with other staff and students, and bus drivers, cafeteria workers, facilities staff etc.
• Law enforcement and protective services (corrections, other emergency response staff).
• Individuals aged 65 and older.
• Power and utility workers.
• Food and agriculture related occupations (packaging and distribution workers, grocery and restaurant workers).
• Transportation and material moving occupations (public transportation providers, airlines, gas stations, auto shop workers, and other transportation network providers.)
• State and local government workers that provide critical services for continuity of government.
• Other essential workers (e.g., business and financial services, supply chain for critical goods, funeral services, critical trades, etc.)
• Adults with high-risk medical conditions living in shelter or other congregate living settings.

Individuals without internet access or those who require assistance can call the Coconino County COVID-19 Information Line at 928-679-7300. The Information Line hours are Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The community is encouraged to check the Coconino County vaccine webpage at www.coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine each Friday at noon for new appointment availability. Links to vaccination partners registration sites are available on the website.

Attention Gila County Residents:

We are pleased to announce that all appointments have been filled for our Payson Drive-thru Vaccine Clinic, being held this weekend at the Payson High School - 409 W. Longhorn Rd., Payson, AZ 85541.
If you were unable to schedule a vaccine appointment for this event, you can contact our Northern Gila County community health partners for scheduling vaccine appointments:

Banner Health Clinic Payson - 117 E. Main St., Suite A100, Payson AZ 85541

Website: https://www.bannerhealth.com/staying-well/health-and-wellness/wellness/covid/vaccine 

Ponderosa Family Care - 127 E. Main St., Suite D, Payson, AZ 85541
Phone/text: 928-978-9168

Dr. Ali Askari - 1106 N. Beeline Hwy., Payson, AZ 85541
Phone: 928-474-5286
Email: [email protected]
Text: 928-978-2745

Genoa Healthcare - 404 W. Aero Dr., Payson, AZ 85547
Phone: 928-238-3024

We thank everyone involved in helping make this event possible and look forward to seeing all who are scheduled this weekend!

Fire managers for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona Strip District are planning to use prescribed fire to burn cut vegetation and slash debris in an area located 30 miles south of Fredonia, Arizona in the Kanab Creek drainage.  Prescribed burning will begin early March 2021 and last through late March 2021, if weather and vegetation conditions allow, in accordance with the prescribed fire burn plan. The thinning, cutting, and burning of vegetation are intended to enhance wildlife habitat as well as protect cultural and natural resources. 

Prescribed fires must meet strict weather-related and environmental factors prior to ignition. BLM Arizona Strip fire personnel 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 prescribed fire area. For more information about the project contact Corey Wood at [email protected] or 435-680-3651. 

Transition to State-Operated Site to Keep Location Open, Continue Vaccinations

Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) today announced a state-operated COVID-19 vaccination site in the Phoenix metropolitan area’s East Valley, avoiding the closure of a successful mass vaccination site and further expanding the state’s nationally recognized model for speeding up vaccine administration.

The vaccination site at Chandler-Gilbert Community College will begin operating as a state-run location on Wednesday, March 3.

“We’re committed to making the COVID-19 vaccine accessible to all Arizonans. Keeping this successful vaccination site open and operating is an important step,” said Governor Ducey. “Arizona has called on the federal government to provide our state with more vaccine doses. As more supply becomes available, we’ll be ready to administer the vaccine and protect Arizonans.”

On Thursday, Feb. 18, Maricopa County announced the upcoming closure of the Chandler-Gilbert Community College vaccination site, which has been one of the county’s busiest. Over the last three days, ADHS has worked with partner organizations to develop a plan to keep the location open.

In order to ensure continued vaccination of Arizonans in the East Valley, ADHS will transition to operate the location as a state-run vaccination site. Dignity Health currently manages the site in collaboration with Maricopa County. Dignity Health will close its operations after Feb. 27, and ADHS will reopen it four days later in partnership with the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona, and Maricopa County Community College District.

At full capacity, this site will have a similar capacity to State Farm Stadium at 12,000 vaccines per day and can be operated 24/7. Due to the limited amount of vaccine allocated to the state, this site will initially operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will continue to provide the Pfizer vaccine and will be available to provide second doses to individuals who received their first at the site. Appointments for first and second doses will open for registration at 9 a.m. Monday, March 1. 

“A region with well more than half of our state’s population will now have three state-run vaccination sites that position Arizona to vaccinate large numbers rapidly as vaccine supplies expand,” said ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ. “Arizona has proven that the state’s nationally recognized model for these vaccination sites is scalable and transferable to other locations. By combining state resources with the support of partners, we can continue getting more doses into the arms of Arizonans.”

ADHS opened the 24/7 State Farm Stadium site Jan. 11 and opened the site at Arizona State University’s Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Feb. 1. On Feb. 18, ADHS and the University of Arizona marked the conversion of a vaccination site in central Tucson into the first state site serving southern Arizona. Planning is also underway for state-operated sites in western and northern Arizona.

Information about all the vaccination sites across Arizona can be found at azhealth.gov/findvaccine. Those without computer access or needing extra help registering can call 1-844-542-8201 to be connected with an operator who can assist. Note: You can use the patient portal at podvaccine.azdhs.gov to make an appointment for someone else in a prioritized group, such as someone 65 and older.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination, please visit azdhs.gov/COVID19Vaccines.

Firefighters on the Pleasant Valley Ranger District will be conducting prescribed fire treatments on the southeast side of the 512 Road (also known as the Young Road) between mileposts 315 and 318, Feb. 23-24, 2021.

Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see and smell moderate amounts of smoke during the prescribed fire operation. Smoke will impact the 512 road during the day. In the evening hours, smoke will impact Pleasant Valley, Young and the 512 Road. Fire personnel will end ignitions each day by 3 p.m. to minimize the impact of smoke. Residual smoke may linger in these areas thru Sunday, Feb. 28.

Signs will be posted on roads likely to be affected by smoke and motorists are urged to use caution and slow down for the safety of firefighters and the public.

Broadcast burning allows fire managers the important option of burning under the right conditions to reduce catastrophic wildfire danger by reducing debris off the forest floor from about 20-22 tons per acre to about 5-7 tons per acre. These fire treatments typically continue for several days and are conducted when fuel moisture content of the vegetation and weather conditions are favorable. Low-to-moderate winds are needed to carry flames and to dissipate smoke during and after ignition operations and to achieve beneficial effects sought by land managers.

The decision to conduct a prescribed fire treatment is always dependent on conditions such as: wind speed and direction, temperature, fuel moisture content, relative humidity and other variables. Burning under the right conditions also provides for the protection of valuable natural and cultural resources. Additionally, it decreases danger to the public and firefighters.

Over the years, the Payson Ranger District has been successful integrating focused, cost-effective fire prevention, fire suppression and prescribed fire strategies in a safe and effective manner. The integration of these three efforts help support healthy forest landscapes and ecosystems, while reducing catastrophic wildfire danger and protecting and enhancing natural resources, wildlife habitat and watersheds in the North Zone.

For more information call the Payson/Pleasant Valley District Ranger Station at (928) 474-7900 or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.

As the shipment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine continues to be delayed due to extreme weather conditions across the country, Coconino County and some of its vaccination partners have been forced to cancel Monday, Feb. 22 and Tuesday, Feb. 23 first dose appointments.

Several COVID-19 vaccination sites in Coconino County are impacted including North Country HealthCare, Fort Tuthill County Park, Banner Page, Northwoods, Safeway – Williams, Canyonlands Healthcare, Northern Arizona Healthcare (Flagstaff Medical Center) Elks Lodge, Northern Arizona University, and Encompass Health Services. Those with first dose appointments that are affected will be contacted directly by the vaccination site where they are scheduled. Individuals with first dose appointments at the Coconino County Fort Tuthill vaccination site will receive an email with instructions on rescheduling.

Coconino County COVID-19 response team staff are working with vaccination partners to transfer available vaccine as needed to limit the impact on second dose vaccination appointments. At this time, the only site with second doses impacted is North Country HealthCare. The impacted second dose appointments have already been rescheduled to another day when vaccine is expected, and is still within an appropriate timeframe for second dose appointments.

Coconino County will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as additional information is available.

For information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Coconino County, the phases of vaccine distribution and locations, please visit coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine or call the COVID-19 Information Line at 928-679-
7300.

An 18-acre unit of hand piles is scheduled to be burned on Monday February 22, near the top of Bill Williams Mountain adjacent to the city of Williams.

Deep snow still present after a recent storm has presented Fire managers on the south zone on the Kaibab National Forest a perfect opportunity to remove these slash piles located in steep terrain with very little risk of spread or control problems. The burning will take place on the upper 1/3 of the mountain near forest road 111, also known as the Bill Williams Lookout Road.

Smoke may be visible from various locations around the mountain, however, is not expected to impact any residential or developed areas in the lower elevations as it lifts and disperses quickly to the southeast. This operation is expected to be completed in one day.

Snowy weather conditions throughout the winter provide ideal conditions to burn slash piles on the forest. Pile burns will be ongoing whenever opportunities arise after snowstorms when woody debris can be burned safely with no potential for spread on the snow-covered surfaces. Additional units scheduled to be burned this winter include piles near Marteen Tank, Cougar Park, and Round Mountain.

All prescribed burns are subject to approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Members of the public may view approved prescribed fires at smoke.azdeq.gov/

To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:

Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF  Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311

Coconino County was notified by the Arizona Department of Health Services that this week’s shipment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine continues to be delayed due to extreme weather conditions across the country.

Due to the prolonged delay and limited on-hand vaccine supply, Coconino County and some partner
vaccination sites announced they must cancel and reschedule first dose appointments scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18 and Friday, Feb. 19, and now Saturday, Feb. 20. Fort Tuthill County Park is the only site impacted for Saturday first dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

Those affected will be contacted directly by the vaccination site where they are scheduled. Individuals with first dose appointments at the Coconino County Fort Tuthill vaccination site will receive an email with instructions on rescheduling.

At this time, no COVID-19 second dose appointments at Fort Tuthill or other vaccination sites are
impacted. Coconino County will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as additional
information is available.

For information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Coconino County, the phases of vaccine distribution and
locations, please visit coconino.az.gov/covid19vaccine or call the COVID-19 Information Line at 928-679-
7300.

As vaccine providers in Pima County await vaccine deliveries, more appointments are set to be postponed at County supported sites. Delays and a reduction in vaccine doses provided to the County are also forcing Health Department officials to refocus these limited supplies on administering second doses on time.

The appointments currently affected remain those scheduled at:

• Tucson Medical Center, beginning Feb. 18, for some second dose appointments;
• Tucson Convention Center, beginning Feb. 19;
• Banner South, beginning Feb. 19 

Two mobile vaccine projects planned for Saturday, Feb. 20 have also been postponed. These events, targeted at providing vaccination opportunities in high-risk communities will now be slated to occur sometime in March.

While doses for this week’s operations dwindle, the Arizona Department of Health Services notified Pima County today that they would receive 12,500 doses for use at Pima County supported sites next week. This is the lowest total of weekly doses allotted to the County in 10 weeks.

All other vaccine that will be given in Pima County is being assigned directly by the State. Last week, the County received 16,300 doses, 1,000 of which were sent by the State to the University of Arizona vaccine site.

“As we deal with the challenge of this delayed shipment, we are also thinking about how to best use the limited supply we will get next week as well,” said Dr. Theresa Cullen, Director of the Health Department. “We are starting to receive fewer doses than we received a month ago, meaning that nearly all of our upcoming doses will need to be focused on getting people their second dose.”

Depending on whether patients received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, those who were vaccinated by the County 21 to 28 days ago now need their second dose to be considered fully vaccinated. In late January 2021, the Centers for Disease Control announced that second doses of Covid-19 vaccine can be given up to six weeks after their first doses if they are otherwise unable to be completed at the recommended time frame.

“We are still in a good place with getting these second doses completed within the appropriate time frame,” said Cullen. “With the State’s site still giving first doses, we want to make sure we complete these second appointments.”

Due to the winter weather events across the U.S. preventing the shipment of the Moderna vaccine, the Gila County Health Department has postponed the Payson COVID 19 vaccination drive-thru clinic on February 20th-21st to the following weekend, February 27-28th.

If you already have an appointment for the 20th or 21st you do not need to do anything, we will honor that commitment and transfer your appointment for you. However, if you have signed up for the clinic on the 20th and 21st and would like to change your day or time please contact one of our call center phone numbers listed below to request those changes. We have additional appointments available and it will be open to all Gila County residents in Groups 1A, 1B, 1C, and now phase 2 general population.

As a reminder, the drive-thru clinic now scheduled for February 27-28th will be by appointment only and located at the Payson High School football field parking lot. Clinic will be open both days from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. To reduce traffic congestion in the parking lot, please arrive with five (5) minutes of your scheduled appointment time.

This clinic will be by appointment only and we have opened additional phone lines for your convenience. To
schedule your appointment please call one of our call center numbers listed below (Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm).

(928) 961-6109
(928) 200-8810
(928) 200-8898
(928) 200-8968
(928) 402-8888

Michael O’Driscoll, Director