Arizona Emergency Information Network
Deadline approaching for SBA Working Capital Loans due to Drought
Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today reminded small nonfarm businesses in 10 New Mexico counties and neighboring counties in Arizona and Texas of the May 13, 2024, 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 Sept. 5, 2023.
Primary New Mexico counties: Catron, Doña Ana, Grant, Luna and Sierra;
- Neighboring New Mexico counties: Cibola, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Otero and Socorro;
- Neighboring Arizona counties: Apache and Greenlee;
- Neighboring Texas county: El Paso.
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,” said Sánchez.
“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 2.375 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.
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 Sept. 11, 2023.
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.
Mesa prescribed fire planned on Clifton Ranger District
The Clifton Ranger District plans to implement the Mesa prescribed fire project between April 12 and April 22, 2024. The 8,767 acre project area is located approximately 16 miles north of Morenci, Arizona. The project boundaries are Turkey Creek/Cow Canyon to the east, Forest Road (FR) 515 (Pine Flat Rd) to the north and west, and FR 475 (Juan Miller Rd) to the south.
Meeting project objectives with the use of prescribed fire and thinning treatments will help improve wildlife habitat by increasing grassland vigor and productivity and increasing diversity in vegetation age and size classes (seral stages) in browse species for a variety of wildlife species including, but not limited to, mule deer and antelope. Fire managers will conduct additional burning treatments, or maintenance treatments, as needed until the project objectives are met.
An estimated 1,600 acres of the Mesa burn unit falls under the Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA). The TFPA is a cooperative effort between the Forest Service and the San Carlos Apache Tribe and is aimed at implementing cross-boundary landscape restoration projects. The TFPA involves various partners including the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) which has identified the project area as a priority for habitat restoration to increase forage for Mule deer and other species in the Unit 27 habitat plan. Continued restoration of the grasslands in the area would also expand Antelope habitat. As part of the TFPA cooperative agreement, a wildland fire crew with a type 6 engine from the San Carlos reservation will be assisting with the Mesa prescribed fire project.
Smoke will be visible from US 191 and the community along Eagle Creek. Smoke will impact portions of US 191 and FR 475 (Juan Miller Rd). All private landowners near the project area, including the San Carlos Indian Reservation and Gila National Forest, will be notified prior to project implementation.
Landscape treatments on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape and other treatments to improve forest health. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
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Walnut Fire located east of Flagstaff fully contained
The small Walnut Fire, located east of Flagstaff along Interstate 40, is fully contained at a quarter of an acre.
Three engines and two hand crews responded to suppress the fire, which was originally estimated at two acres, but determined to be a quarter-acre at the time of containment.
The interior portion of the fire may continue to produce minimal smoke and may remain visible from I-40 for a short period of time.
I-40 motorists are asked to remain cognizant of fire suppression efforts along the roadway as firefighters continue to monitor the fire.
The Walnut Fire was first reported the morning of April 10. Its cause is unknown.
Resources responding to 2-acre Walnut Fire east of Flagstaff
Resources are responding to the 2-acre Walnut Fire located east of Flagstaff along Interstate 40.
Resources responding include three engines and two hand crews.
I-40 motorists are asked to remain cognizant of firefighters working alongside roads in the area.
The fire was reported at roughly 11 a.m. April 10 and its cause is under investigation.
Payson Ranger District plans to burn over 5,000 acres near Diamond Rim
Fuel Treatment Project to Begin April 16, 2024
Tonto National Forest firefighters will conduct a 5,465-acre fuel treatment project on the Payson Ranger District beginning April 16 to May 3, 2024.
The Diamond Point/Pyeatt Draw prescribed fire will occur on Diamond Rim near Diamond Point Summer Homes and Diamond Point Lookout. Fire experts will ignite surface fuels such as ponderosa pine, juniper and shrubs under specified weather conditions.
These treatments modify wildfire behavior and effects by reducing surface fuels (dead vegetation on the forest floor such as branches or needles from ponderosa pine and juniper) and ladder fuels (small- to medium-sized trees with low-lying branches as well as shrubs that can carry fire from the ground into the tree canopy). In turn, this helps protect communities from extreme fires.
Prescribed fires support land management objectives by improving plant and wildlife habitat to increase biodiversity for wildlife corridors. 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.
The planned burn also will improve the Ellison Creek watershed by reducing ground fuels and the risk of a large-scale wildland fire. Burned watersheds are prone to increased flooding and erosion, which can negatively affect water-supply reservoirs, water quality, and drinking-water treatment processes.
Smoke from the Diamond Point / Pyeatt Draw prescribed fire will be visible from State Routes 87 and 260 as well as Forest Service Roads 198 and 65 on neighboring national forests. Smoke will impact the following communities: Diamond Point Summer Homes, Ellison Creek Summer Homes, Ellison Creek Estates, Meads Ranch, Tonto Village, Bonita Creek Estates, Freedom Acres, Beaver Valley Estates, Whispering Pines, Thompson Draw Summer Homes Units 1 and 2, Diamond Point Shadows, Star Valley, and Payson. Residual smoke will remain in the air for several days after the final ignitions.
Forest Service officials urge the public to stay out of the project area and use caution when driving nearby to ensure the safety of fire management crews.
This upcoming prescribed fire supports the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. Commonly referred to as 4FRI, this landscape-level effort is restoring the structure, pattern, composition, and health of fire-adapted ponderosa pine ecosystems across 2.4 million acres in northern Arizona. The project uses a full suite of restoration approaches that are carried out by Forest Service personnel, partners, volunteers, and contractors. Additionally, the Forest Service consults with 17 Native American Tribes, as well as 10 Navajo Nation chapters on 4FRI.
Fuels reduction projects 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. For more information about the Forest Service’s 10-year strategy to address the wildfire crisis, visit the Confronting the Wildfire Crisis web page.
For additional information about this project, contact the Payson Ranger Station located at 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, Arizona. Or phone the station at (928) 474-7900 Monday – Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or Twitter @TontoForest.
A map of the Diamond Rim-Pyeatt Draw prescribed fire April 10 2024.jpgPayson Ranger District plans to burn to improve forest health, reduce risk of wildfire
Tonto National Forest firefighters will conduct a 5,465-acre fuel treatment project on the Payson Ranger District beginning April 16 to May 3, 2024.
The Diamond Point / Pyeatt Draw prescribed fire will occur on Diamond Rim near Diamond Point Summer Homes and Diamond Point Lookout. Fire experts will ignite surface fuels such as ponderosa pine, juniper and shrubs under specified weather conditions.
These treatments modify wildfire behavior and effects by reducing surface fuels (dead vegetation on the forest floor such as branches or needles from ponderosa pine and juniper) and ladder fuels (small- to medium-sized trees with low-lying branches as well as shrubs that can carry fire from the ground into the tree canopy). In turn, this helps protect communities from extreme fires.
Prescribed fires support land management objectives by improving plant and wildlife habitat to increase biodiversity for wildlife corridors. 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.
The planned burn also will improve the Ellison Creek watershed by reducing ground fuels and the risk of a large-scale wildland fire. Burned watersheds are prone to increased flooding and erosion, which can negatively affect water-supply reservoirs, water quality, and drinking-water treatment processes.
Smoke from the Diamond Point / Pyeatt Draw prescribed fire will be visible from State Routes 87 and 260 as well as Forest Service Roads 198 and 65 on neighboring national forests. Smoke will impact the following communities: Diamond Point Summer Homes, Ellison Creek Summer Homes, Ellison Creek Estates, Meads Ranch, Tonto Village, Bonita Creek Estates, Freedom Acres, Beaver Valley Estates, Whispering Pines, Thompson Draw Summer Homes Units 1 and 2, Diamond Point Shadows, Star Valley, and Payson. Residual smoke will remain in the air for several days after the final ignitions.
Forest Service officials urge the public to stay out of the project area and use caution when driving nearby to ensure the safety of fire management crews.
This upcoming prescribed fire supports the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. Commonly referred to as 4FRI, this landscape-level effort is restoring the structure, pattern, composition, and health of fire-adapted ponderosa pine ecosystems across 2.4 million acres in northern Arizona. The project uses a full suite of restoration approaches that are carried out by Forest Service personnel, partners, volunteers, and contractors. Additionally, the Forest Service consults with 17 Native American Tribes, as well as 10 Navajo Nation chapters on 4FRI.
Fuels reduction projects 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. For more information about the Forest Service’s 10-year strategy to address the wildfire crisis, visit the Confronting the Wildfire Crisis web page.
For additional information about this project, contact the Payson Ranger Station located at 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, Arizona. Or phone the station at (928) 474-7900 Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or Twitter @TontoForest.
unnamed (15).jpgYavapai County Office of Emergency Management Launches New Website
The Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management (YCOEM) is pleased to announce the launch of its new user-friendly website, designed to provide residents with a quicker and simpler way to access information and enhance their ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.
The website is now live and accessible at www.yavapaiready.gov. This comprehensive online platform offers a wide range of resources to help residents stay prepared and informed. Key features of the website include:
1. Comprehensive Guide to Preparedness: The website provides a comprehensive guide to personal and family preparedness.
2. Emergency Information and Actions: Residents can find current emergency information and specific actions to take during various emergencies.
3. Recovery Resources: In the aftermath of a disaster, the website offers a dedicated section on recovery resources. This includes guidance on clean-up efforts, information on financial assistance, and assistance for individuals returning home after a disaster.
4. Local News and Updates: Stay up to date with recent news and updates on local disasters and emergencies through the website's news section.
5. RAVE Prepare Registration: The website provides a link for residents to sign up for RAVE Prepare, a web-based citizen-powered access and functional needs registry.
6. Genasys Protect: Information on Genasys Protect, our new evacuation zone system. The public can view all emergency advisories, warnings, and orders in Yavapai County. It also allows the public to view incident-specific evacuation points, Red Cross shelters, animal shelters, road closures, sandbag stations, and other resources.
7. Community and Volunteer Resources: A centralized hub for community and volunteer resources. It serves as a platform to connect residents with local organizations, volunteer opportunities, and additional support services that contribute to community resilience.
"Launching yavapaiready.gov represents a significant step forward in our mission to enhance resilience and preparedness in Yavapai County," stated Ashley Ahlquist, Emergency Manager "This website is more than a tool; it's a lifeline for our community, offering plenty of resources tailored to enhance preparedness, response, and recovery efforts."
Residents are encouraged to visit www.yavapaiready.gov and take advantage of the wealth of resources available. By proactively accessing this information, individuals can better prepare for emergencies and ensure the safety and well-being of themselves, their families, and their community
For information about the Yavapai County Community Office of Emergency Management, please contact Sarah Townsley at 928-771-3321 or email [email protected]. Or visit www.yavapaiready.gov
Small Burns Planned as part of Annual Basin Operation Drill
The annual multi agency Basin Operation Drill is planned for April 12-13, 2024 in the Groom Creek area south of Prescott, Arizona (T 12 ½ N, R2 W, Sec 23). The drill will involve the Prescott National Forest, Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, City of Prescott Fire, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Bureau of Land Management and many other emergency response agencies including Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, and several volunteer organizations. The annual basin operations drill provides all participants an opportunity to train together, and test communication systems and equipment in preparation for the upcoming wildfire season.
For training purposes, fire managers will ignite three to six small fires over the two days pending favorable weather conditions. Smoke will be visible in the immediate areas of the burn activity, including portions of Forest Road 79, Forest Road 80, Senator Highway, and Whispering Pines Camp. 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 fire burn units as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.
Media who would like to attend the live fire portion of the drill on Friday, April 12, 2024 will need to contact Prescott NF Fire Prevention Specialist Ansgar Mitchell at (928) 713-6349 by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
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/X