Arizona Emergency Information Network

At the request of the Pima County Health Department, the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 9 will fund a drive-through COVID-19 testing site at the Pima Community College West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road, starting Monday, Jan. 24. Site hours are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Staff at the site, which is expected to administer 1,000 to 2,000 tests per day, will conduct self-swab PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and provide results to recipients within approximately 48 hours. The Pima College site is the only drive-through site sponsored by the Health Department.

The County will conduct a “soft launch” of the site Saturday, Jan. 22, with first appointments available at 11 a.m. Up to 1,000 appointments are available on Jan. 22. When the site fully opens on Jan. 24, up to 2,000 appointments will be available.

Vehicles will enter from Anklam Road. The site is also on a Sun Tran bus line. As part of the COVID-19 safety precautions, Sun Tran, Sun Link and Sun Express are currently fare free.

Clinical services provider eTrueNorth will conduct the testing. Tests will be free and available to everyone. ID will not be required. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, though participants may register the day of testing, provided appointments are available on the platform. Be sure to bring your voucher confirming your appointment to the site.

“The Omicron surge and federal messaging about the availability and utility of rapid antigen testing are again creating increased demand that is not easily accommodated by the existing local COVID-19 testing capacity,” said Acting County Administrator Jan Lesher in a Jan. 12 memo to the Board of Supervisors. “For this reason, the community is again looking to Pima County to provide low-barrier, no cost testing.”

The expanded availability of free testing reflects the Health Department’s commitment to equity in its efforts to protect residents and visitors from COVID-19. To date, the department estimates that 2.5 million tests have been performed by Pima County and its clinical partners.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, our focus has been keeping our students, employees and community healthy,” Pima Community College Chancellor Lee D. Lambert said. “We are proud that our ongoing partnership with the Pima County Health Department will bring trusted, high-quality COVID testing to our community.”

The new site will add to the comprehensive array of testing services already provided by the Health Department and its partners. These include PCR and rapid antigen options at a number of free testing centers in Tucson, as well as mobile testing events scheduled at locations throughout the county, including rural and hard-to-reach places such as Arivaca and Robles Ranch.

The County also has worked with FEMA with the support of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to offer monoclonal antibody treatment (mAB) at the Carondelet Medical Group facilities at St. Joseph's and St. Mary’s hospitals. The treatment, which is authorized by the FDA under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), also is offered at several other locations in the County.

The mAB therapy offered at St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s is available by physician referral only. Visit Pima County’s COVID-19 treatment webpage for details on locations, hours and the referral process.

FEMA also contributed to Pima County’s vaccination efforts by providing mobile vaccination units in Spring 2021, including a location at PCC West. Pima County has partnered with PCC on other vaccination clinics.

"We will continue to work with our partners in federal and state government, as well as valued community partners like Pima Community College, to ensure that anyone in Pima County who needs a test can get one,” said Pima County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen.

 The Springerville Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning to proceed with pile burning in the vicinity around and immediately to the west of the Greens Peak Lookout.

The Greens Peak Lookout Project has pile spread across approximately 20 acres, and smoke can be expected to be seen between January 12th and February 15th. The planned pile burns are a collaborative effort between the White Mountain Apache and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests under the Reserved Treaty Right Lands program.

Smoke may be visible from portions of Hwy 60 and 260 but is not expected to impact travel. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures, although there should not be a large volume of smoke being produced. Information on air quality and active prescribed burns can be found on Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s webpage: https://azdeq.gov/. Fire personnel will monitor the burn pit until it is completely out.

The public can obtain additional information by calling the Springerville Ranger District at (928) 333-6200.

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.

The Flagstaff Ranger District plans to continue three pile burns starting Monday, Jan. 10, which will burn piled material from previous mechanical treatments. Though many of last week’s pile burns were successful, the Saginaw Piles (100 acres) and Waterline Piles (20 acres) proved too damp from snowfall to successfully ignite. The FRD is also adding Hotshot Ranch Piles (15 acres) to the week’s agenda.

These piles will produce visible smoke to those in the immediate area of Doney Park and Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff near Kelly Canyon. Built by commercial timber equipment, these piles are the result of thinning projects that must be burned while snow is on the ground to allow for greater control.

Smoke impacts from these burns should be light and short in duration with forecasted westerly winds. Evening smoke from the Saginaw Piles may settle in the I-17 corridor near Kelly Canyon exit and the community of Mountainaire. No closures are anticipated with these pile burns. 

The Alpine Ranger District is closing the Alpine Burn Pit to the community for the health and safety of the public after a successful ignition of piles of collected slash. No more slash deposits are being accepted from the community until further notice.

District fire crews conducted a pile burn at the Alpine Burn Pit on January 5th to reduce the slash and green waste from the community burn pit and to open more space for future slash dumping. Crews stayed on scene until there was no further threat of escape.

Smoke will be visible from Alpine, along portions of Arizona State Hwy 180 and the Blue Road (County Road 2104), Motorists are advised to drive safely as smoke may limit visibility. Lingering smoke may be present. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures, although there should not be a large volume of smoke being produced. Information on air quality and active prescribed burns can be found on Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s webpage: https://azdeq.gov/. Fire personnel will monitor the burn pit until it is completely out.

The public can obtain additional information via the following:

•Local Ranger Station: Alpine Ranger District at (928) 339-5000
•311 Information at (928) 333-3412

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.

Coconino County is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant.

If attending an indoor, in-person gathering, masks should be worn.   

As COVID-19 transmission increases, Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) advises evaluating the need for large gatherings and postponing in-person meetings/gatherings/events, when possible, until community transmission declines.

CCHHS recommends the following precautions to minimize COVID-19 risk, keep children in school, and our economy open:  

• Stay home if you are sick.  
• Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you’re eligible. 
• Get a COVID-19 booster if you’re eligible. 
• Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings. 
• Wash hands frequently. 
• Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces. 
• Conduct meetings and gatherings virtually when possible. 

“We have the tools to fight COVID-19 variants. The best protection against the illness is to get vaccinated and boosted,” CCHHS Director Kim Musselman said. “The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be remarkably effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.”   

"We encourage Coconino County staff and all residents to consider what is essential right now. If you can skip an indoor in-person gathering, you should. Instead, consider the virtual options we have available to us to connect with coworkers, friends, and family.” said Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Matt Ryan. 

COVID-19 booster doses offer additional protection against the virus, as immunity from COVID-19 vaccines wane over time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently authorized a single booster dose of the Pfizer mRNA vaccine for children ages 12 -17. The CDC also updated guidance for the timing of the Pfizer booster dose, allowing individuals 12 years and older who have completed their initial Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine series, to receive a booster shot at least five months after completing their initial vaccine series. Moderna booster doses are available six months following the initial vaccination series. 

Booster doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were previously approved by the CDC for all adults 18 years and older at least two months after their initial dose.  

Individuals should bring their COVID-19 vaccination card with them when they receive their booster dose. COVID-19 vaccines are provided at no cost.  

To find a vaccination location, please visit https://www.coconino.az.gov/2580/COVID-19-Vaccination-Locations.  

Expanding eligibility for COVID-19 boosters to include ages 12 and up is welcome news as the Omicron variant fuels a surge in cases around the country. 

Following approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its booster recommendation to include ages 12 to 15. The CDC previously expanded eligibility to ages 16 and 17 and is now recommending boosters for this group. 

At this time, only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for use in those under age 18. A booster dose is recommended for anyone 12 and older who is at least five months past their primary series of the Pfizer vaccine. Meanwhile, boosters are recommended for everyone 18 and older who is at least six months past their second Moderna dose or is at least two months beyond receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine. 

“We’re encouraged that even more Arizonans can update their protection against COVID-19 by getting a safe, free, and highly effective booster dose,” said Don Herrington, interim director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). “Meanwhile, there is plenty of vaccine for others to get the jab and dramatically reduce their risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.”

In addition, the CDC has recommended that moderately or severely immunocompromised 5- to 11-year-olds should receive an additional primary dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 28 days after their second shot.

COVID-19 cases are surging in Arizona and around the country amid the Omicron variant’s rapid spread. Vaccination, boosters, and mitigation measures such as masking, maintaining physical distance, and staying home when you are feeling sick are essential to reducing the spread.

As of November, Arizonans who were fully vaccinated were 31.1 times less likely to die from COVID-19 and 4.9 times less likely to test positive for the disease, according to an ADHS review of outcomes by vaccination status. 

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, please visit azhealth.gov/COVID19Vaccines. To find a vaccine provider near you, please visit azhealth.gov/FindVaccines. 

If you have questions or need assistance by phone, the bilingual ADHS COVID-19 Hotline is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week at 844.542.8201 (Select Option 8 to speak with a navigator).

Pima County vaccination sites started offering Pfizer booster shots for 12- to 15-year-olds on Jan. 6, following federal approval a day earlier.

Anyone in that age group is eligible providing it has been at least five months from their second dose.

Previously, only those 16 and over were eligible to receive booster doses. Only the Pfizer vaccine and booster is available for 12- to 17-year-olds. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for children as young as 5 years old.

The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available to those 18 and over.

All three vaccine types are available at multiple County-supported sites, including:

• Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave.
• Abrams Public Health Center, 3950 S. County Club Rd.
• Theresa Lee Health Center, 1493 W. Commerce Court
• North Clinic, 3550 N. 1st Ave.

Check pima.gov/covid19vaccines for hours of operation and multiple mobile clinics each week that offer all the vaccines and boosters. The vaccines are free. No appointment is needed at any of the County sites, although people are encouraged to call for appointments at the Theresa Lee and North clinics to avoid potential wait time.

All the vaccines also are widely available at pharmacies. Check for locations and appointments at vaccines.gov or the Arizona Department of Health Services.

"We urge that every eligible child be vaccinated and to receive the booster at the appropriate time," said Dr. Theresa Cullen, the director of the Pima County Health Department. "We believe that will help ensure that we are able to keep schools open, keep students, staff and faculty healthy, and better protect entire families."

The Flagstaff Ranger District is planning three hand pile burns starting tomorrow which will burn piled material remaining from previous mechanical treatments both north and south of the Flagstaff metropolitan area.

The Inner Basin Piles (5 acres), Waterline Piles (20 acres), and Saginaw Piles (100 acres) projects will begin tomorrow and go throughout the week, producing visible smoke to those in the immediate area of Doney Park and Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff near Kelly Canyon.

These piles are large piles built by commercial timber equipment after thinning projects that must be burned while snow is on the ground and allows for greater control.

Smoke impacts from these burns should be light and short in duration due to forecasted westerly winds. Evening smoke from the Saginaw Piles project may settle in the I-17 corridor near Kelly Canyon exit and community of Mountainaire. No closures are anticipated with these pile burns.

The Alpine Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning to begin the Pace Creek Pile Burning project on January 5th through the end of February. Piles consist of leftover debris from recent timber sales, as well as slash deposited in the community burn pit. All ignitions are weather dependent.

Smoke will be visible from Alpine along portions of Hwy 180 and 191, from the New Mexico state line to the Alpine Divide Campground. Smoke may limit visibility on roads and may be present for up to one week after ignitions are complete. Members of the public who are smoke-sensitive or have health that could be affected issues are encouraged to take precautions.

All prescribed burns are approved through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) before ignitions begin, and they monitor air quality. Please visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's webpage: https://azdeq.gov/ for additional information regarding air quality.

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

Prescribed fire pile burning will be occurring in the vicinity of Arizona Highway 89A and Forest Road 248 one mile north of Jacob Lake from Tuesday, January 4th through Thursday, January 6th on the North Kaibab Ranger District. 

Winter weather with snow on the ground present excellent opportunities every year for fire crews to burn and consume piled slash and woody debris left over from previous forest restoration projects. Approximately 100 acres of piles one mile north of Jacob Lake are planned for burning.

Light smoke will likely be visible from Fredonia, Arizona. Ignition operations will last a couple of hours with light smoke production into the evening and overnight. Minor smoke impacts may be seen along lower elevation areas along AZ Highway 89A. Forest visitors are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through any prescribed fire project vicinity. 

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html

Additional fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:
Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

Prescribed fire pile burning will be occurring across the south zone of the Kaibab National Forest beginning the first week of January on both the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts. 

Winter weather with snow on the ground present excellent opportunities every year for fire crews to burn and consume piled slash and woody debris left over from previous forest restoration projects.

For the month of January, approximately 1100 acres of piles south and southwest of the city of Williams are planned for burning with an additional 500 acres on the Tusayan Ranger District.

Operations will be focused on the Williams district this week. On Monday January 3, about 11 acres of piles will be ignited near the peak of Bill Williams Mountain. The following two days crews will be working on the south side of the mountain and along forest road 122 burning another 1100 acres by the weekend.

Smoke will likely be visible from the City of Williams and several areas surrounding these burns including by travelers on Perkinsville Road (FS-73) and Interstate 40.

Smoke production is expected to be minimal after the first few hours with rapid dispersion as piles consume. Some smoke has potential to settle overnight into the lower elevations including on the 73-road due to fluctuating atmospheric temperatures that produce nighttime inversions.

Forest visitors are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through any prescribed fire project vicinity. 

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html

Additional fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:
Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

Fire Managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District will be taking advantage of moisture received and plan to burn debris piles near Walker, Ponderosa Park/White Spar, Copper Basin, Lynx Lake and Thumb Butte.  Ignitions are planned to start on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 and continue through Monday, January 31, 2022 as favorable weather conditions allow.  Fire managers expect smoke impacts to be light in the 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 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 (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.   

Drivers should be prepared to encounter snow and icy road conditions in much of the state’s high country this week as winter storms pass through Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Transportation advises drivers to avoid traveling during any severe winter storm conditions. Motorists should stay up to date on forecasts from the National Weather Service and plan their travel accordingly.

Periods of snow and rain are forecast across the state into New Year’s Day. Safer conditions will exist once ADOT snowplow crews have a chance to clear snow and ice from highways impacted by any winter storms.

Drivers in lower elevations should plan for possible rain and wet roadways at times over the next several days. Here are some winter and wet weather safety recommendations:

• 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 on slick surfaces.
• 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 necessary 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”).
• Stay up to date: In addition to following National Weather Service forecasts, drivers can visit ADOT’s Traveler Information site at az511.gov or call 511 for highway conditions. Pay attention to messages on ADOT’s network of electronic signs. ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT) also provide information and answers about highway conditions. 

To assist travelers this winter, ADOT has partnered with the National Weather Service to create color-coded graphics of forecast storm severity. ADOT will use these graphics on its social media accounts to help drivers know the anticipated intensity of a snowstorm and make informed decisions about traveling.     

Motorists who are hitting the road during the long Christmas weekend should prepare to use extra caution starting today as a winter storm delivers wet roads across Arizona and light snowfall at higher elevations.

While the National Weather Service is forecasting only moderate rainfall across most of Arizona, the wet weather is expected to extend for several days and leave highways wet and slick across much of the state. In northern Arizona, the forecast translates to 1-3 inches of snow — enough for drivers to expect icy conditions and for the Arizona Department of Transportation to deploy snowplows during a weekend of high traffic volumes.

Chances for rain will increase today and peak Friday or Saturday, depending on the location, with generally less than an inch of rainfall in the deserts. However,  two or more inches of rain are possible north and east of Phoenix, which could lead to flooding in southern Gila County Friday through Monday.

ADOT is asking drivers to remember winter driving tips as part of the agency’s Know Snow campaign, including:

Slow Down and Leave Extra Room: Adjust your speed to conditions. Driving slower and leaving space between your vehicle and others when snow and ice are present can improve your ability to brake and prevent skids.

Leave Prepared: Dress for cold weather, bring extra clothes and gloves, be sure your cellphone is charged, and pack food, water and necessary medications. Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition, starting with the battery, heater/defroster, wiper blades, wiper fluid and brakes.

Pack an Emergency Kit: For starters, take blankets, a flashlight, an ice scraper, a small shovel, a container of sand for traction and hazard lights or reflectors in case your vehicle becomes disabled. 

Beware of Black Ice: Black ice tends to form at night when melting snow freezes and is especially common on bridges.

Stay Up to Date: Visit ADOT’s Travel Information site at az511.gov or call 511 to get the latest highway conditions, and pay attention to messages on overhead boards. ADOT’s Twitter feed (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT) also provide information and answers about highway conditions.  

To help travelers this winter, ADOT has partnered with the National Weather Service to create graphics that use a color code for storm severity to better inform drivers of what to expect from winter storms. ADOT will use these color-coded graphics on its social media accounts to help drivers know what intensity of snowstorm to expect so drivers can make informed decisions about travel.

For more information about winter travel, please visit ADOT’s Know Snow campaign page, azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is urging Arizonans to get their COVID-19 booster dose as soon as they can because of the rapid spread nationally of the Omicron variant and the potential for more breakthrough cases among vaccinated people. Those who have yet to be vaccinated also should act now to get the protection offered by safe, free, and highly effective COVID-19 vaccines.

“There is every indication that vaccines will continue offering significant protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19 as this extraordinarily contagious variant spreads,” said Don Herrington, interim director of ADHS. “Boosters are important for everyone who is eligible, but they are especially important for older people who are more prone to severe illness from breakthrough infections.”

Boosters are strongly recommended for everyone 18 and older at least six months after receiving the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine and at least two months after the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine. For ages 16 and 17, boosters are recommended at least six months after the Pfizer vaccine.

About three-quarters of eligible Arizonans have yet to get a booster dose. Of greatest concern among that group are the 56% of those 65 and older who are eligible but have yet to get a booster. Meanwhile, about one in three eligible Arizonans has yet to be vaccinated. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that the Omicron variant represented 73% of new COVID-19 cases across the U.S. last week, though the extent of its spread in Arizona isn’t clear at this time. As of Monday, whole genome sequencing had identified 30 cases of Omicron in Arizona, accounting for 1.63% of samples sequenced. 

For those who have yet to be vaccinated, the rapid spread of Omicron nationally is another reason to roll up your sleeve. As it overtakes the highly contagious Delta variant, Omicron could further strain hospitals already struggling with large numbers of COVID-19 patients, the vast majority of whom are unvaccinated. 

“This is an especially bad time to allow misinformation, political views, or stubbornness to keep you from getting vaccinated,” said Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th U.S. Surgeon General and special adviser to Governor Doug Ducey on public health emergency preparedness. “Any hospital will tell you that the vast majority of those in intensive care and dying from COVID-19 are not vaccinated.”

As of October, unvaccinated individuals in Arizona were 15.2 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than the fully vaccinated and 3.9 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19. 

There are hundreds of places to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose at no cost to you. To find a location, please visit azhealth.gov/FindVaccine or call the bilingual COVID-19 Hotline at 844.542.8201 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day except holidays. 

While vaccines offer the surest protection against COVID-19, ADHS continues to recommend that Arizonans, vaccinated or not, continue taking steps proven to reduce the spread: 

Stay home and do not host gatherings if you are sick.
Wear a mask covering your mouth and nose and maintain physical distance in public indoor settings, including when you gather with those you don’t live with.
Get tested if you have symptoms or five to seven days after exposure to someone who has or who you suspect has COVID-19.
If in doubt about whether you have COVID-19, consider using an at-home rapid antigen test before you gather with relatives and friends.
Keep your hands thoroughly washed or sanitized. 
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, please visit azhealth.gov/COVID19Vaccines. For more information on other ways to protect yourself and others please visit azhealth.gov/COVID-19. 

With many traveling to see family and friends this holiday season, plus the potential for snow up north attracting day-trippers, the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers not to drive distracted.

If you’re traveling alone, drivers are urged to use phones to call or text at one of the state’s 15 rest areas. Once in a rest area, you can safely devote your attention to your device to make a call or send or respond to texts.

“Distracted driving is dangerous. We’ve all seen stories where tragedy strikes because a driver glanced at a text,” said State Engineer Dallas Hammit. “Paying attention when you are driving will help everyone get safely home this holiday season.”

In 2020 in Arizona, more than 8,000 drivers involved in crashes were engaged in distracted driving behavior. But the real number is much higher because traffic safety stakeholders say many drivers don’t admit to being distracted or died in the crash.

The use of hand-held mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, while driving is banned in Arizona. On all Arizona roadways, it is illegal for drivers to talk or text on a device that isn’t engaged in hands-free mode.

To get more resources about distracted driving and see ADOT’s Emmy Award-winning distracted driving campaign, visit azdot.gov/terrify.

With the arrival of snow and wet weather, the Flagstaff Ranger District and Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest are beginning to close many forest roads for the safety of visitors and to protect forest roads during the winter season.

Main forest roads are expected to be closed across much of the forest where snow has fallen, and the closures are expected to begin tomorrow (Dec. 14). Forest Service personnel will be patrolling forest roads starting this afternoon through mid-week to inform forest visitors and swing gates.

Each year the Forest implements seasonal road closures in order to protect the roads from damage and to keep people from getting stuck or stranded in the middle of the forest during snowstorms. Seasonal road closures occur at different times each year and are dependent upon incoming weather and conditions of the roads.

Drivers are reminded to avoid driving on open roads that appear to be saturated to prevent road damage, soil erosion and getting stuck. As well, be aware that even though a forest road might start on an open road in the desert, if it begins to climb in elevation the driver could encounter deep snow, four-wheel driving conditions and closed gates in other districts or neighboring national forests. Some of the roads that people experience this drastic change in the winter months include roads such as Schnebly Hill Road, Forest Road 214, FR 618 and FR 229.

The status of main forest roads in each district can be found online, which is updated frequently to keep the public and hunters informed of main roads closed or open throughout the forest.

Maricopa County Department of Public Health has identified the County’s first COVID-19 cases involving the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) in six individuals.

Three separate clusters of cases were identified and include adults ranging in age from late teens to their 60s with no prior international travel history. To date, no serious illness has been reported and no one has been hospitalized. All remain at home in isolation while recovering.

While health officials are still completing case investigations, the majority of cases were fully vaccinated. MCDPH is actively reaching out to all residents who were close contacts, and isolation and quarantine protocols are being followed.

“With these six cases confirmed and with no travel history, it’s clear that the Omicron variant is here in our community and spreading,” said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, Medical Director for Disease Control. “We know that COVID-19 vaccines have remained highly effective at preventing serious illness and death, even when new strains develop. That’s why it’s critical that all eligible residents get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible and take other precautions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.”

Vaccination combined with other practices, such as wearing a mask in indoor public spaces and crowds, limiting large gatherings, washing hands frequently, practicing physical distancing, and getting tested if exposed or if symptoms develop, can help prevent further spread. Anyone, regardless of vaccination status, who develops symptoms should get tested immediately and isolate.

Everyone ages 5 and up can receive a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, the CDC now recommends that everyone 18 and older receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after receiving their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months after a dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Teens 16–17 years old can get a Pfizer vaccine booster at least six months after having received their second dose.

COVID-19 vaccines and testing are free, and you do not need an ID or health insurance to get one. To find a location near you, visit Maricopa.gov/COVID19 or call (602) 506-6767. 

Coconino County Public Works, in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), will ignite the annual green waste burn at the Willard Springs Green Waste Station, located 17 miles south of Flagstaff at Exit 326 on the west side of Interstate 17 (I-17), by Tuesday, December 14, 2021 The Willard Springs green waste burn is expected to produce smoke during the ignition period, which will last approximately three weeks. Based on wind and weather conditions, smoke may be heavy at times and visible to motorists on I-17. The Coconino National Forest will post signage on I-17 to notify motorists about smoke and to drive with caution.

The burn is necessary to reduce the existing stockpile of pine needles, tree trimmings, and other green waste at Willard Springs Station before the 2022 fire season. 20,000 cubic yards of green and woody waste has been collected since April 2021, almost double the amount of waste the station normally receives in a year. Green waste burn is expected to smolder until the middle of January, depending on weather conditions. The burn will be monitored by the Mormon Lake Ranger Station, Pinewood Fire Department, and the Coconino County Public Works Solid Waste Division. Public Works Solid Waste Division will be regularly stirring the green waste piles throughout the process to promote a homogenous, even burn that will help to minimize smoke.

When smoke levels are high, the appropriate protective measures should be followed:

• Avoid breathing smoke. Reduce or avoid outdoor activities.
• Make sure heating units have a clean filter in the air intakes. Devices with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can reduce indoor pollution.
• Use the recycle or re-circulate mode on the heater in your home or car.
• Avoid activities which can increase indoor pollutants such as cooking and vacuuming.

Additional information regarding the health effect of smoke from prescribed burns and wildfires is available online. Contact Ron Hollamon, Coconino County Public Works Solid Waste Manager at (928) 679-8300 for additional information on the green waste burn. 

Prescribed fire pile burning will commence across the south zone of the Kaibab National Forest for the remainder of this month on both the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts. 

Winter weather with forecasted snow present excellent opportunities every year for fire crews to burn and consume piled slash and woody debris left over from previous forest restoration projects.

For the month of December, approximately 450 acres of piles near Tusayan are planned for burning with an additional 60 acres on the Williams Ranger District.

Operations will begin on the Williams district this week on Thursday and Friday, December 9 & 10. About 60 acres of piles will be ignited under several APS powerline corridors across the district. Removing debris from beneath electrical powerlines provides enhanced protection of critical utilities that provide vital services to local communities. These hand piles are relatively small in size and will consume quickly with little to no smoke impacts expected.

Starting Monday, December 13, about 400 acres of Piles will be ignited 3 miles southeast of the Town of Tusayan alongside forest road 302 adjacent to the Ten X Ranch.  An additional 50 acres will be burnt 15 miles southeast of Tusayan just north of Russell Tank. This operation may extend into the week depending on daily weather conditions.

Smoke may be visible during the day as ignitions are occurring and may periodically impact Highway 64 but is predicted to be light in volume and short in duration.

Smoke production is generally minimal after the first few hours with rapid dispersion as piles consume. Some smoke has potential to settle overnight into the lower elevations due to fluctuating atmospheric temperatures that produce nighttime inversions.

Forest visitors are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through any prescribed fire project vicinity. 

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html

Additional fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
• Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
• Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/