Arizona Emergency Information Network

Fire managers on the Prescott National Forest plan to conduct prescribed burning in the Prescott Basin on the Bradshaw Ranger District south of Prescott, Arizona.  Ignitions are planned to start Friday, November 1, and continue into early next week depending on weather conditions and resource availability.  

The Goldwater RX is located east of Highway 89 and Ponderosa Park Road; west of School House Gulch Road; north of Marapai Road; and west of Goldwater Lake. Resources will remain on scene to monitor and patrol in the days following the prescribed burn.

Trails in the Bean Peaks area will be closed during prescribed fire operations including: Green Bean #0007, Magic Bean #0015, Spicy Bean #0017, Baked Bean #0015, Beany Baby #0018, Mr. Bean #0007, Bean Sprout #0019, Rice and Beans #0018, Limey Bean #0023, Jelly Bean #0025, and Ponderosa Trail #0382. 

We would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding as we work to treat hazardous fuels and restore resilient landscapes.  Prescribed fires in the wildland-urban interface also help create buffer zones where we have a higher probability of safely stopping future unwanted wildfires.

Expect smoke impacts to be light and visible from multiple locations including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, and surrounding area communities.  As nighttime temperatures cool, smoke can linger in drainages and valleys.  All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather, fuels, conditions that minimize smoke impacts as much as possible, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).  In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of prescribed burns as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.

Prescott National Forest’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health and includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Low to moderate fire behavior can reduce hazardous fuels in the and increase ecosystem and community resilience.  A variety of ground and aerial resources are being used to meet the project objectives.  The project also furthers the goals of the Forest Service’s national Wildfire Crisis Strategy to restore forests so they are less vulnerable to extreme wildfires that can threaten lives and property; and negatively impact watersheds and wildlife habitat.

For fire information please call the Bradshaw Ranger District at 928-443-8000 during regular office hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 12:00 & 12:30 - 4:00.  Stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Havasupai Tribe businesses and residents as a result of President Biden’s major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration’s Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman announced.

The declaration covers the Havasupai Tribe as a result of the flooding that occurred Aug. 22-23.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.

“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements."

Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.

As soon as Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

Fire managers plan to conduct prescribed fire operations on the Alpine Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests beginning November 1 through November 30, 2024, as weather and vegetation conditions allow for successful operations.

The Loco Knoll burn unit is 6,695 acres and is approximately 12 miles southeast of Springerville, 11 miles northeast of Alpine, and on the north side of Escudilla mountain.  The project area boundaries are east of the no named two track road next to White Mountain Acres subdivision, south of Forest Service Road (FSR) 275B and constructed control lines west of FSR 851A and north of FSR 275 and FSR 851.

The objective of this prescribed fire project is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations, minimize the risk of high-severity wildfires, and return the landscape to a more fire-resistant condition, aligning with the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural resources while sustaining and restoring healthy, resilient fire-adapted forests. 

Smoke may be visible from Highway 191 and drift towards Springerville and Nutrioso.  We recognize that smoke can impact residents, visitors, and our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners and communities to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program. When smoke impacts are present, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality recommends that smoke sensitive individuals should reduce physical activity and stay indoors with windows and doors closed. For those who are unable to avoid smoke exposure, use of a particulate-filtering respirator mask can help. Real-time mapping of smoke and other air quality impacts is available at fire.airnow.gov.

Visit the A-S National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.

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Fire managers on the Verde Ranger District plan to use ground and aerial resources to treat fuels at two locations in the Mingus Mountain area between Sunday, November 3 and Friday, November 29. 

Descriptions:

• Crater RX (T14N, R3E, Sec 19,20,21,28,29,30,31,32,33) – is a 2,805 acre burn, two miles north of HWY 169, four miles northwest of I-17, and one mile south of Cherry. Vegetation is primarily brush and grass, with small areas of juniper and ponderosa pine.
• Grapevine/Strawberry RX (T14N, R2E, Sec 2,3,4,8,9,10,12,13,14,15,16) – is a 7,144 acre burn, five miles north of HWY 169, five miles southeast of HWY 89A, six miles northeast of Dewey, and five miles northwest of Cherry. Vegetations is primarily brush and grass, with areas of ponderosa pine.

 Expect smoke impacts to be light to moderate and visible from multiple locations including Verde Valley, Cherry, Dewey-Humbolt, Prescott and surrounding areas.

The objective of these prescribed burns is to improve conditions for native vegetation by reducing shrub and juniper fuel loading.  Fire managers are closely monitoring weather and fuels conditions with equal attention to the wildfire activity and firefighting resources on the Prescott National Forest as well the resource availability of nearby wildland fire partner agencies.

Prescribed fires on National Forest System lands may only be implemented when the conditions at the project site meet the objectives and criteria outlined in the prescribed burn plan. These criteria include acceptable ranges for wind, humidity, fuel moisture, and temperature.  Implementation also depends on the availability of personnel and equipment; conditions that minimize smoke impacts as much as possible; and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).  If any of the conditions are outside the prescription, the prescribed fire will not be implemented. The Forest Service is fully committed to using this critical tool safely and effectively in collaboration with the tribes, partners, and area communities.

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

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

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

For fire information please call (928) 777-2200; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Maps of the Crater and Grapevine/Strawberry prescribed fires:

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Fire managers with the Coconino National Forest are currently monitoring a lightning-caused wildfire that was reported the morning of October 25 approximately 11 miles south of Flagstaff on the west side of Interstate 17 near the Newman Park exit.

The Smith Fire is currently 55 acres within the burn scar of the Scott Fire of 2023 and moving at a low rate of spread with no structures threatened.

Fire managers are considering this wildfire as a candidate to manage for forest health but waiting to see what the next couple of days brings in precipitation.

If the Smith Fire survives the coming weather and continues to look like a favorable candidate for managing, more information will be shared through news releases and an Inciweb account for the fire will be established to share regular updates.

Managing fires such as the Smith Fire helps with forest health by consuming hazardous forest fuels such as pine needles, cones, and dead wood, and helps create a buffer in an area that is typically susceptible to the direction of catastrophic wildfires during traditional southwest winds.

Hicks Fire

The Hicks Fire was reported on Sunday at 3 p.m. in an area 7 miles southwest of Clints Well, south of West Clear Creek, and is currently under investigation. Currently estimated at 111 acres, firefighters are working to suppress this wildfire. Smoke may be visible to those in the immediate area.

No prescribed burn projects are planned for the week of October 28.

 

The Hickey fire is a lightning caused wildfire discovered on the Clifton Ranger District on October 22, 2024.  The fire is currently estimated to be approximately 35 acres, and is located 10 miles north/northeast of the Morenci Mine, 5 miles southeast of the Martinez Ranch/San Francisco River, and West of Forest Road 215.   

The Hickey Fire is in a rugged, remote portion of the district accessed only by helicopter.  Local fire managers are evaluating values at risk in the vicinity and are taking action to protect them from adverse effects of the fire.  

Smoke will be visible from the Juan Miller Road/Forest Road 475, as well as Highway 191.  

To access air quality information and an interactive map, go to the AirNow website.

Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).

Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today reminded small nonfarm businesses in 15 Arizona counties and neighboring counties in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah of the Nov. 25 deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury. These low-interest loans are to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following primary counties that began Jan. 1.

Primary Arizona counties:  Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Maricopa, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yavapai;

Neighboring Arizona counties:  La Paz, Mohave and Yuma;

Neighboring Colorado county:  Montezuma;

Neighboring New Mexico counties:  Catron, Cibola, Grant, Hidalgo, McKinley and San Juan;

Neighboring Utah counties:  Kane and San Juan.

When farmers face crop losses and a disaster is declared by the Secretary of Agriculture, SBA working capital loans become a lifeline for eligible small businesses. “These loans are the backbone that helps rural communities bounce back and thrive after a disaster strikes,” Sánchez said.

According to Sánchez, small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. “Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact,” Sánchez continued.

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage,” Sánchez added.

The interest rate is 4 percent for businesses and 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the initial disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.

By law, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared this disaster on March 25.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.

Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Fire managers plan to continue prescribed fire operations on the Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests beginning October 28 through November 22, 2024, as weather and vegetation conditions allow for successful operations.

• The Brown Creek burn unit is 1,719 acres and is 5 miles southwest of Vernon, Arizona.  The project unit is within Forest Road 3, Forest Road 3A, Forest Road 283, Forest Road 283B, Forest Road 267, Forest Road 655A, and Forest Road 4.
• The 260 burn unit is 796 acres and is 2 miles west of Linden, Arizona, and 3 miles east of Pinedale.  The project unit is within Forest Road 143C, Forest Road 9810R, Forest Road 143D, Forest Road 9809L, Forest Road 143, and Forest Road 9810T.
• The Bear burn unit is 973 acres and is 3 miles southwest of Linden, Arizona. The project unit is within Forest Road 300, Forest Road 131, Forest Road 131A, Forest Road 9809L, Forest Road 9809R, Forest Road 143.

This landscape treatment is a cooperative effort with Arizona Game and Fish Department, Vernon Fire Department, Timber Mesa Fire Department, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Pinetop Fire Department, City of Show Low, and Clay Springs Fire Department. 

The objective of this prescribed fire project is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations, minimize the risk of high-severity wildfires, and return the landscape to a more fire-resistant condition, aligning with the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural resources while sustaining and restoring healthy, resilient fire-adapted forests. 

Smoke may be visible from the City of Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Communities of Pinedale, Clay Springs and Vernon and along Highways 60 and 260.  Smoke could last for several days after initial ignitions take place, but should be significantly less each day afterwards.  We recognize that smoke can impact residents, visitors, and our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners and communities to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible.

The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program. When smoke impacts are present, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality recommends that smoke sensitive individuals should reduce physical activity and stay indoors with windows and doors closed.

For those who are unable to avoid smoke exposure, use of a particulate-filtering respirator mask can help. Real-time mapping of smoke and other air quality impacts is available at fire.airnow.gov.

Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook.

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Fire managers plan to begin prescribed fire operations on the Springerville Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests beginning October 28 through November 30, 2024, as weather and vegetation conditions allow for successful operations.

The approximately 6,000-acre Wallow West 6A and 6B broadcast burn is spread over two different burn units that are in close proximity to each other. The 6A unit is 1,684 acres, and unit 6B is 4,272 acres.  The Wallow West 6 project is located southwest of the Big Lake Recreation Area, south of Highway 273. Unit boundaries for 6A are south of FR249E, east of FR68, north of 249C. Unit boundaries for 6B are south of 249E, east of FR116, north of 72M.

The burns may be separated by a few days or completed in the same day depending on resources available. The burns contain pockets of wet mixed conifer which helps to decrease fire behavior in those areas. A large part of both units is within the Wallow Fire scar, prescribed fire into those areas will help to clear up standing snags and downed logs.   

The objective of this prescribed fire project is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations, minimize the risk of high-severity wildfires, and return the landscape to a more fire-resistant condition, aligning with the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural resources while sustaining and restoring healthy, resilient fire-adapted forests. 

Smoke may be visible from the Big Lake Recreation Area, Thompson Trail, and the communities of Eagar, Springerville, and Greer.  We recognize that smoke can impact residents, visitors, and our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners and communities to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible.

The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program. When smoke impacts are present, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality recommends that smoke sensitive individuals should reduce physical activity and stay indoors with windows and doors closed. For those who are unable to avoid smoke exposure, use of a particulate-filtering respirator mask can help. Real-time mapping of smoke and other air quality impacts is available at fire.airnow.gov.

Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook.

Wallow West

Fire Managers are preparing to wrap up the 2024 fall prescribed burning season on the south zone of the Kaibab National Forest this week beginning with the 3055 acre Pine Flat Prescribed Fire Project located approximately 15 miles south of Williams, followed by the 1467 acre Fireball Unit on the Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project located 5 miles northwest of Williams on the south side of FR 124.

Operations could begin as early as Thursday October 24 and are expected to be completed in 2-3 days. These burns are part of four designated project areas that were scheduled for broadcast burning over the month of October. Once completed, the total number of acres accomplished will be 20960.

Visitors can expect to see and hear a helicopter in the area, as aerial ignitions will occur on portions of the burn. Aerial-drone systems should not be used near the active project area, as they could interfere with aircraft operations.

Smoke will be visible from areas adjacent to these burns, however is not expected to impact any rural   developed communities. Cooler overnight temperatures may cause smoke to settle into low-lying drainages surrounding these burn locations. Motorists are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through active project areas.

Goals of prescribed fire treatments include decreasing the threat of unnatural severe wildfire and potential negative consequences to the community, improving forest health, and reintroducing fire to an ecosystem that relies on frequent fire to maintain resilience. Prescribed fires help reduce hazardous fuels that have accumulated due to drought, climate change, insects and disease, and decades of fire suppression. Fire also recycles nutrients back to the soil, promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants, and improves habitat for threatened and endangered species.

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. These efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

All prescribed fires are subject to approval by an agency administrator and by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program.

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

The Kaibab National Forest remains committed to providing the public with ongoing updates with as much advance notice as possible. Sign up to receive Kaibab NF news releases in your email.

Additional information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, X, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling local ranger stations.

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Tonto National Forest firefighters will begin a 1,200-acre prescribed fire Oct. 28 on the Globe Ranger District near Carol Springs Mountain.

The five-day planned burn will occur 25 miles north of Globe, Arizona, within the Carol Springs south block. It is part of the Tonto’s Timber Camp prescribed fire plan that includes 7,313 acres of National Forest System lands.

Prescribed fires are part of the USDA Forest Service’s overarching wildfire crisis strategy to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural resources while sustaining and restoring healthy, resilient, fire-adapted forests.

The goals of these treatments include improving plant and wildlife habitat to increase biodiversity for wildlife corridors, clean water, and flood control. Prescribed fires also help protect culturally significant native foods and plants, improve timber stands and recreational opportunities, and reduce the threat of invasive species on the landscape.

For the safety of firefighters and the public, officials urge motorists to use extreme caution when driving on U.S. Route 60 as fire specialists anticipate possible smoke impacts from mile marker 270 to mile marker 285. Burning will cease each day by 3 p.m. to limit smoke impacts to U.S. Route 60.

For additional information, contact the Globe Ranger Station at (928) 402-6200 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until noon and from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The station is located at 7680 S. Six Shooter Canyon Road, Globe, Arizona, 85501.

The Timber Camp prescribed fire plan is a component of the Tonto’s Highway Tanks Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA) fuel reduction project. Highway Tanks is a cross-boundary forest restoration effort that treats National Forest System lands along the eastern boundary of the Globe Ranger District adjacent to the San Carlos Apache Reservation.

Highway Tanks supports the San Carlos Apache Tribal Forest Protection landscape, one of 21 landscapes the Forest Service identified as part of the agency’s 10-year strategy for confronting the wildfire crisis. Additionally, restoration projects on the Tonto’s Payson Ranger District support the Four Forest Restoration Initiative.

For more information about these two Arizona landscapes, visit the Tonto’s wildfire crisis strategy website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/fire/?cid=FSEPRD1179893.

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to California businesses and residents affected by the Airport Fire that occurred Sept. 9-Oct. 6, announced Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s authorized representative, Director Nancy Ward of the California Office of Emergency Services, on Oct. 15.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties in California; and neighboring La Paz County in Arizona.

“As communities across the Southeast continue to recover and rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the SBA remains focused on its mission to provide support to small businesses to help stabilize local economies, even in the face of diminished disaster funding,” said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “If your business has sustained physical damage, or you’ve lost inventory, equipment or revenues, the SBA will help you navigate the resources available and work with you at our recovery centers or with our customer service specialists in person and online so you can fully submit your disaster loan application and be ready to receive financial relief as soon as funds are replenished.”

“When disasters strike, our Disaster Loan Outreach Centers are key to helping business owners and residents get back on their feet,” said Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “At these centers, people can connect directly with our specialists to apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to rebuild and move forward in their recovery journey.”

“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster,” Sánchez continued. “Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 23, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application,” Sánchez added. The center will be open on the days and times indicated below. No appointment is necessary.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez said. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”

Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.

Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to apply for property damage is Dec. 17, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is July 18, 2025.

The Coconino National Forest plans to conduct two prescribed burn projects this week, beginning tomorrow.

For the latest information at any time of the day, details and updates about all prescribed burn projects can be found on the Coconino NF Prescribed Burn Projects Inciweb page, which is updated any time new information is available.

1. Blue Ridge Project

Dates: Oct. 22-24.
Location: Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Located approximately 9 miles northeast of Clints Well. 
Size: Up to 2,500 acres
Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn. Broadcast burning means firefighters will spread the fire across the landscape using drip torches, effectively 'broadcasting' the fire with low intensity across the landscape. Maintenance burns usually mean wildfire has recently been through the area, which tends to mean less smoke since forest fuels will not be as thick or built up over time.

Smoke Impacts: Smoke will be highly noticeable and may impact nearby areas such as Clint's Well, Happy Jack, Jack’s Canyon, Little Springs Canyon and on state Route 87.
Why: This prescribed burn will reduce fuel loading around the communities of Blue Ridge, thus lessening the risk of catastrophic unplanned wildfire during times of critical fire weather. This project also reintroduces fire into a fire-adapted ecosystem.
Notes: No formal closure orders will be issued, but Arizona Trail hikers will be asked to follow a posted re-route to avoid hazardous areas.

2. UBC 1 (Upper Beaver Creek) Project

Dates: Oct. 23-25.
Location: Red Rock Ranger District. 1 mile south of Stoneman Lake; 6 miles east of I-17 from the Stoneman Lake Exit.
Size: Up to 2,171 acres.
Type of burn:  Broadcast initial entry burn. Broadcast burning means firefighters will spread the fire across the landscape using drip torches, effectively 'broadcasting' the fire with low intensity across the landscape. Initial entry burns mean fire has not been on the landscape any time recently, which results in a buildup of forest fuels such as pinecones, pine needles, dead and down trees, etc. This will result in thicker smoke when compared to a maintenance burn due to the density of forest fuels being burned.
Smoke impacts: Daytime smoke will be visible from Stoneman Lake, Village of Oak Creek, Camp Verde and the I-17 corridor from the Rim Vista pull out to AZ-169 interchange. Over night smoke can be expected in VOC, Sedona, Verde Valley and along the I-17 corridor south of Stoneman Lake. Smoke could move east toward Happy Jack and FH3, if southwest winds prevail.
Why: Watershed function improvement of the Beaver Creek watershed, community protection of Stoneman Lake community, range land viability, reduction of accumulation of dead and down fuels from pervious wildfires, Mexican Spotted Owl and Leopard Frog threatened and endangered species habitat protection and improvement, Elk, Deer and Antelope habitat improvement.
Notes: There are no closures anticipated with this project.
 

Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today announced the opening of its virtual Business Recovery Center to meet the needs of businesses and individuals who were affected by affected by the Watch Fire that occurred July 10-17.

“When disasters strike, our virtual Business Recovery Centers are key to helping business owners and residents get back on their feet,” Sánchez said. “At these virtual centers, people can connect directly with our specialists to apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to rebuild and move forward in their recovery journey.”

 
SBA has established a virtual Business Recovery Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their electronic loan application.

Virtual Business Recovery Center

• Monday – Friday
• 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pacific Time
• [email protected]
• (916) 932-8956
• Opens at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez continued. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”

SBA disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors.  Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.

Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659‑2955 or email  [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to apply for property damage is Dec. 3, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is July 7, 2025.

 

With forecasted moisture expected to arrive by the weekend ahead, fire managers on the Williams Ranger District are hopeful to burn and consume the woody debris pile at the Moonset Pit green waste disposal site near the community of Parks on Friday October 18.

Although this pile is usually burned in the winter months, fire managers elected to burn it now anticipating faster and more complete consumption, better smoke ventilation, and ultimately reducing the long lingering heat in the pit that usually occurs in the colder weather. Smoke production is expected to be minimal after the first few hours with rapid dispersion and shorter duration. Some Smoke may linger over the weekend.

The Moonset Pit serves the local area by providing a location for the disposal of natural forest debris.

Moonset Pit is located just west of the Parks community on a dirt road east of Spitz Springs on the north side of Old Route 66. The pit is scheduled to reopen for local use in the late spring/early summer of 2025.

During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these areas will be visible to the public. Motorists are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through the 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 information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, X, Facebook, and Flickr or by calling or local ranger stations.

Over the fall and winter months, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) plans to take advantage of seasonally cooler temperatures to accomplish multiple prescribed fire projects throughout Arizona.

State prescribed fire managers say so far projects are planned for Coconino, Apache, Navajo, Maricopa, and Yavapai Counties.

Project work remains dependent on resource availability and on favorable weather conditions which provide for safe burning efforts and successful project implementation and completion.

Some of the proposed projects include, DFFM’s Hidden Meadow RX, a 780-acre broadcast burn across State Trust land, north of Highway 260 between Lakeside and Eager. In addition, DFFM plans to conduct the Tres Rios project, west of Phoenix and the Robbins Butte RX, southwest of Buckeye. DFFM plans to collaborate again with Arizona State Parks and Trail to assist with some prescribed fire project work at their parks including, Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood.

Over the last five years, the state has averaged about 4,800 acres per year in prescribed fires. Last year, DFFM surpassed the agency’s yearly average and treated approximately 10,000 acres with prescribed fire around the state. Through calculated placement of fire, prescribed fire benefits Arizona’s landscapes to reduce overgrown and dead fuels and remove fine fuel buildup across the forest floors. Prescribed fires create healthier forests by providing nutrients to the soil and they allow healthier trees to grow and flourish. They also help reduce the risk of wildfires, they safeguard Arizona’s communities, critical infrastructure, and resources like the state’s watersheds.

DFFM plans to target approximately 5,000 acres in project work over the next few months. However, all prescribed fires are weather dependent and can be rescheduled or cancelled if conditions are not favorable for burning. The safety of the public and firefighters remain the agency’s number one priority.

DFFM works closely with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) prior to, during, and after a burn to mitigate any potential smoke impacts. ADEQ must approve all agency burn plans prior to starting ignitions. They closely monitor the weather along with smoke production and outflow throughout the project work.

DFFM plans to issue project-specific information before starting work.

For additional fire information:  Follow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/arizonaforestry

Follow us on Twitter – https://x.com/azstateforestry

Download or mobile phone application – https://www.apexmobile.net/app/azdffm/

The Coconino National Forest plans to conduct the following prescribed burn project, beginning tomorrow for the next two days.

UBC 2 (Upper Beaver Creek) Project

Dates: Oct. 16-17
Location: 16 miles southeast of Munds Park, near Stoneman Lake. 
Size: 500 acres.
Type of burn:  Initial entry, broadcast burn. Initial entry burns mean fire has not been on the landscape any time recently, which results in a buildup of forest fuels such as pinecones, pine needles, dead and down trees, etc. This will result in thicker smoke when compared to a maintenance burn due to the density of forest fuels being burned. Broadcast burning means firefighters will spread the fire across the landscape using drip torches, effectively 'broadcasting' the fire with low intensity across the landscape. 
Smoke impacts: Possible impacts to Lake Mary Road, Stoneman Lake area, Verde Valley, and Interstate 17. Expect a southwest wind during the day and smoke to travel down drainage to Verde Valley overnight.
Why: This prescribed burn will reduce hazardous fuels such as downed trees and decaying plant matter in the project area. It will also return fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem.
Notes: There are no closures anticipated with this project.

Plans for prescribed burns often change quickly since they are dependent upon weather conditions and wind predictions. Details and updates about all prescribed burns can be found on the Coconino NF Inciweb site for Fall 2024 Prescribed Burn Projects, which is updated on a weekly basis. Planned prescribed burn projects will always be canceled if weather conditions – such as temperature, wind and humidity – do not meet the criteria outlined in the burn plan.

More information about the relationship between prescribed fire, weather and why prescribed burns are conducted at certain times of the year is available on Coconino National Forest’s prescribed burns & smoke web page.

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Prescribed burning is continuing on the Williams Ranger District resuming Monday October 14 on the Marteen Rx Fire Project located north of Spring Valley, west of forest road 144, and east of Laws Spring.

Fire managers have divided the eastern portion of this project into three smaller units and are hopeful to complete all 5013 acres scheduled for treatment this week in approximately 3 days.

Weather conditions often influence the actual times when ignitions occur and occasionally delay operations, however managers recognize that some community members are sensitive to smoke and will use strategies to limit the amount and duration. This includes dividing large projects into smaller units so that crews can focus efforts where and when conditions will help smoke disperse away from developed areas and ventilate quicker, reducing the impacts to local residents and businesses. Prescribed fires with shorter-term impacts to air quality help significantly reduce the risks to public health and safety.

Area residents and visitors can expect to see and hear a helicopter in these area, as aerial ignitions will occur on portions of the burn. Aerial-drone systems should not be used near the active project area, as they could interfere with aircraft operations.

Smoke will be visible to residents in the Spring Valley area and may be noticeable from Parks, Valle, portions of State Route 64, Highway 180, and Interstate 40. Smoke is expected to lift during the day and travel northeast away from developed areas adjacent to this burn, however cooler overnight temperatures may cause smoke to settle into low-lying areas surrounding the burn location. Smoke generally lifts rapidly in the mornings upon surface warming from direct sunlight.

Weather permitting, another 2922 acres on the western portion of this project may begin following the completion of this weeks scheduled treatments.

No road or trail closures are planned as part of these prescribed fire operations however, fire personnel and vehicles will be visible to the public at these locations. Motorists are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through active project areas.

Goals of prescribed fire treatments include decreasing the threat of unnatural severe wildfire and potential negative consequences to the community, improving forest health, and reintroducing fire to an ecosystem that relies on frequent fire to maintain resilience. Prescribed fires help reduce hazardous fuels that have accumulated due to drought, climate change, insects and disease, and decades of fire suppression. Fire also recycles nutrients back to the soil, promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants, and improves habitat for threatened and endangered species.

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. These efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

All prescribed fires are subject to approval by an agency administrator and by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program.

The Kaibab National Forest remains committed to providing the public with ongoing updates with as much advance notice as possible. Sign up to receive Kaibab NF news releases in your email.

Additional information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, X, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling or local ranger stations.

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Friday, October 11, 2024.

Take Action

• Drive less, carpool, use public transit, or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit ShareTheRide.com.
• Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
• Reduce wait time in long drive-thru lines. Park your vehicle and walk inside at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, curbside pick-up, and banks.
• Use low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
• Delay large painting projects until HPAs have passed.
• Properly seal containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.
• Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
• Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Conserve electricity.

HPA Restrictions

• Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
• Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
• Off-highway vehicles are prohibited from being used.

Transportation Coordinators

Due to unhealthy levels of particulate matter, all Transportation Coordinators are requested to email employees and activate your HPA plans. The department encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, especially when pollution levels are expected to be on the rise.

Ozone: Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs to form. The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal "ozone season."

"High Pollution Advisory" or "HPA" means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults, and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Take Action

• Drive less, carpool, use public transit, or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit ShareTheRide.com.
• Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
• Reduce wait time in long drive-thru lines. Park your vehicle and walk inside at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, curbside pick-up, and banks.
• Use low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
• Delay large painting projects until HPAs have passed.
• Properly seal containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air. Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
• Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Conserve electricity.

HPA Restrictions

• Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
• Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
• Off-highway vehicles are prohibited from being used.

Transportation Coordinators

Due to unhealthy levels of particulate matter, all Transportation Coordinators are requested to email employees and activate your HPA plans. The department encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, especially when pollution levels are expected to be on the rise.

Ozone: Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs to form. The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal "ozone season."

"High Pollution Advisory" or "HPA" means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults, and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.