Emergency Information

The combination of a winter holiday weekend and recent snow can be a magnet for those looking to ski, sled or toss a few snowballs.

If you’re heading to play in the snow, be ready for the possibility that you’ll see heavy traffic and delays, especially on the trip home, in popular areas such as US 180 northwest of Flagstaff.

Leave prepared to spend more time than you may expect in winter weather. The Arizona Department of Transportation’s tips for winter driving in Arizona’s high country, available at azdot.gov/KnowSnow, include dressing for the cold and packing coats, blankets, gloves and scarves. Make sure you have a fully charged cellphone and plenty of water and snacks, and keep your tank half to three-quarters full at all times.

Highway shoulders are for emergencies only, so resist the temptation to stop there to play in the snow. Exit highways and park in designated areas. Among the reasons: Plows throw snow and ice far from the roadway, other drivers may be distracted by your vehicle and first responders may need to use the shoulder.

Those heading to snow-play sites along US 180 may want to consider making an earlier start home, as on busy days traffic builds toward Flagstaff throughout the afternoon. When they reach Flagstaff, drivers taking Interstate 17 south can save time by following a marked alternate route to Interstate 40 at Butler Avenue, via Switzer Canyon Road and Route 66, and then heading west to I-17. A map of this route is available at FlagstaffArizona.org (follow the Winter Recreation link).

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

The free ADOT Alerts app, available for iOS and Android devices at ADOTAlerts.com, will notify users about weather-related delays and closures. In addition, it will alert those along US 180 if delays back to Flagstaff appear likely.

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

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) issued a Water Quality Advisory on January 11, 2019 for the unpermitted discharge of recycled water from Johnson Utilities’ Pecan Water Reclamation Plant into Queen Creek in the San Tan Valley area. There is no impact to Johnson Utilities’ drinking water systems and there has NOT been a release of untreated sewage into the environment.

EPCOR notified ADEQ of a spill of treated recycled water on January 6, 2019 and an impending controlled release on January 7, 2019. ADEQ sent an inspector to the facility on Friday, January 11, 2019 to better assess the situation before the upcoming weekend. Upon arrival at the facility, an inspector observed an on-going release into Queen Creek and gathered water samples for testing. On January 15, 2019, EPCOR confirmed the release would continue intermittently with wet weather in the area. EPCOR estimates a total release of 11.75 million gallons as of the afternoon of January 15, 2019.

Preliminary results of the samples collected at the pipe discharging water into Queen Creek show it is meeting E. coli surface water quality standards for both full and partial body contact. Further results regarding nitrogen and other contaminants will be available within a week. E. coli is naturally occurring and most strains are not harmful to humans. Surface water quality standards allow a certain level of E. coli that would be expected from natural sources.

Recommended Actions:

• Avoid contact with standing water in this area. Do not allow people or pets to drink this water. In the event of contact, thoroughly wash with soap and clean water as soon as possible.
• Contact a medical professional if you have any questions or show symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea after coming in contact with the water.

This advisory is limited to the unpermitted discharge of recycled water into Queen Creek. ADEQ will continue to monitor the situation. Recycled water is typically used for non-potable applications, including for irrigation of golf courses and common areas within a community or in ponds at the facility to recharge the aquifer. The use of recycled water in a community is indicated by purple pipes and signage cautioning against contact with standing water. ADEQ confirmed with EPCOR samples taken in January 2019 inside the plant meet water quality standards for A+ effluent.

The unpermitted discharge is due to an exceedance of recharge capacity of the Pecan Water Reclamation Plant. The plant is located at 38539 N Gantzel Rd in San Tan Valley. To manage future flows, EPCOR is working to increase recycled water capacity for local irrigation districts and farmers. EPCOR was appointed by the Arizona Corporation Commission as the interim manager for Johnson Utilities in August 2018.

Contact

ADEQ Public Information Officer | 602-771-2215 (office) | 602-540-8072 (cell) | [email protected]

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a Water Quality Advisory for the unpermitted discharge of recycled water into Queen Creek in the San Tan Valley area. Please avoid contact with the water in this area.

ADEQ is making this recommendation because a discharge of recycled water into Queen Creek occurred from the Pecan Water Reclamation Plant. Recycled water is treated but is not required to meet surface water quality standards associated with full or partial body contact and this area of Queen Creek has been previously exposed to sewer overflows. People and animals exposed to water in this environment are at risk of infection from microorganisms associated with human waste. 

Recycled water is typically used for non-potable applications, including for irrigation of golf courses and common areas within a community or in ponds at the facility to recharge the aquifer. The use of recycled water in a community is indicated by purple pipes and signage.

Recommended Actions:

• Avoid contact with the water in this area. Do not allow people or pets to drink this water, wade through it or use it for washing. In the event of contact, thoroughly wash with soap and clean water as soon as possible.
• Contact a medical professional if you have any questions or show symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea.

This advisory will remain in effect until the discharge is stopped. ADEQ will lift the advisory by issuing an additional notice and contacting local officials.

The unpermitted discharge is due to high volume that exceeded the capacity of the Pecan Water Reclamation Plant to treat and process wastewater. The plant is located at 38539 N Gantzel Rd in San Tan Valley. The high volume may be due to increased residential use from homes occupied normally only during the cooler months and decreased evaporation due to recent cool, wet weather.

EPCOR was appointed by the Arizona Corporation Commission as the interim manager for Johnson Utilities in August 2018. EPCOR is working to manage flows. This discharge may prevent an accidental release of untreated wastewater elsewhere in the system. ADEQ is assessing the discharge.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) effective Jan. 1, 2019, in Maricopa County. PM-2.5 is made up of small particles (soot) found in smoke. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.

Access the latest air quality forecast information at:

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) effective Dec. 31 in Maricopa County. PM-2.5 is made up of small particles (soot) found in smoke. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.

Access the latest air quality forecast information at:

Snow or ice has been reported on at least two Arizona roadways, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

State Route 389 has snow or ice from mileposts 0 to 32. This is from the Utah state line at Colorado City to past Kaibab, Arizona. State Route 264 has snow on the pavement from mileposts 430 to 445. This is near Steamboat Canyon in eastern Arizona.

ADOT recommends drivers be prepared to slow down or stop in these conditions.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) effective Dec. 24 & 25, 2018 in Maricopa County. PM-2.5 is made up of small particles (soot) found in smoke. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.

Access the latest air quality forecast information at:

ADEQ Air Quality Hourly Forecast | View Webpage >

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) effective December 23 & 24 in Maricopa County. PM-2.5 is made up of small particles (soot) found in smoke. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.

Access the latest air quality forecast information at:

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) effective December 23 & 24 in Nogales. PM-2.5 is made up of small particles (soot) found in smoke. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.

Access the latest air quality forecast information at:

ADEQ Air Quality Hourly Forecast

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing the following air quality alerts for Maricopa County:

•           Health Watch for December 22, 2018

•           High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for December 23, 2018

These alerts are for fine particulate matter (PM-2.5). PM-2.5 is made up of small particles (soot) found in smoke. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Dec. 22 & 23 for fine particulate matter (PM-2.5), also known as soot, for the Nogales area in Arizona. This HPA is due to particle pollutant levels expected to accumulate enough to exceed the federal health standard for PM-2.5.

Fuels reduction efforts on Bill Williams Mountain on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are set to commence next week after the Christmas holiday. Prescribed burning of several units of slash piles along forest road 111 on the north and east slopes of the mountain will begin taking place as weather conditions permit.

Kaibab National Forest fire officials are alerting the public that recent prescribed fire activities may be visible at several locations across the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts over the next several days and could possibly linger into the approaching Christmas holiday.

The Winter Fire, located in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness approximately 15 miles northwest of Sedona, is currently 65 acres and approximately 75 percent contained.

The fire is crawling up the eastern slope of the canyon in an area that is steep and thick with brush, inaccessible to firefighters, and will be placed in monitor status. Firefighters will be checking the area daily.

Coconino National Forest firefighters are responding to a wildfire in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness approximately 15 miles northwest of Sedona, which was reported yesterday at 1:30 p.m.

The National Park Service will be conducting prescribed pile burns on December 17-20th at Walnut Canyon National Monument.  These piles are small hand piles which will be closely monitored to ensure good consumption and minimal smoke impact. The piles are located between the Walnut Canyon Visitor Center and U. S. Forest Road 303.

Fire managers will be conducting green waste pile burns and slash pile burns south of Flagstaff starting Thursday morning.

Persistent wet weather has presented favorable opportunities for fire crews to continue burning piles at numerous locations across the Kaibab National Forest. Fire personnel on the Williams Ranger District will be moving to an area known has Kaufman Springs today approximately 4 miles north of the community of Parks to continue with operations.

Fire managers will continue to burn piles on the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest today (12/6/2018) and tomorrow (12/7/2018).

On The Williams district, 139 acres of piles off of Forest Road 186 just south of Forest Road 108 near Coleman Lake will be ignited Thursday with an additional 52 acres to be treated on Friday. 

On The Tusayan district, 19 acres of piles will burned on Thursday approximately 2 miles west of the Grand Canyon Airport.

Fire managers will be conducting slash pile burns near Flagstaff, Mountainaire and southwest of Clints Well throughout next week.

Flagstaff Area