Arizona Emergency Information Network

To decrease the risk of future wildfires and protect cultural and natural resources, the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Arizona Strip District anticipates initiating prescribed fire treatments this fall from August through November, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. 

The Saddle prescribed fire treatment will take place 65 miles south of St. George, Utah near Mt. Trumbull along County Road 5, BLM Road 1783, and BLM Road 1781. This prescribed fire treatment will focus on reducing the surface fuels and help maintain the desired vegetation conditions and enhance the overall health and resiliency of the stand.  

The Twin Points  will take place 85 miles south of St. George, Utah along the BLM 1019 Road, south of Oak Grove Cabin and west of Mt. Dellenbaugh. This prescribed fire treatment will focus on reducing slash that was previously cut and scattered as part of a vegetation reduction treatment focusing on encroaching pinyon-juniper trees.  

The Ranger prescribed fire treatment will take place 70 miles south of St. George, Utah (near the Nixon Administrative Site, County Road 5, and BLM Roads 1044, 1781 and 1775). This prescribed fire treatment will focus on reducing the surface fuels and help maintain the desired vegetation conditions and enhance the overall health and resiliency of the stand. 

The High Meadow fire treatment will take place 75 miles south of St. George, Utah (between Mt. Logan and Mt. Trumbull and BLM Roads 1044, 1775, 1768). This prescribed fire treatment will focus on reducing the surface fuels and help maintain the desired vegetation conditions and enhance the overall health and resiliency of the stand. 

To ensure public safety, BLM firefighters will conduct treatments only when weather conditions are conducive to safely burn. They will remain on scene to monitor public and resource safety.  

Visitors to this region of the Arizona Strip may see some light smoke during the burn operation. Smoke emissions will be managed in accordance with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regulations. No local road closures are expected but public access may be restricted during ignition to ensure public safety. Signs will be posted to notify the public. Please use caution when traveling near the project area. If a member of the public is intending to camp, hunt, or recreate on the Arizona Strip, they are advised to call the BLM public lands information center at 435-688-3200, for information on potential prescribed fires in the area. 

Follow @BLMArizona on Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr  

Coconino County announced today that updated, digital flood hazard maps for the Munds Park area are available for public review and comment. The flood maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), show the extent to which areas recently re-mapped in the Munds Park area are at risk of flooding. These flood maps are used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements. They replace maps that were based on studies more than 30 years old.

Residents and business owners can use the maps to obtain reliable information about their current flood risk on a property-by-property basis. The maps also provide flood zone and elevation data. These help community planners, engineers, builders, and others decide where and how new structures, developments, and remodeling projects should be built. Information about the mapping project and how to view the final maps can be found at www.coconino.az.gov/3141/Munds-Park. A Flood Risk Open House meeting is also being held.

“Flooding is an increasingly frequent and costly problem throughout this part of Arizona. It is not just in high-risk areas,” said Lucinda Andreani, Deputy County Manager and Coconino County Flood Control District Administrator. “Having more accurate and easily accessible maps is an important step in understanding the risk. This helps guide residents in taking steps to mitigate the risk and insure against it.”

The preliminary flood maps were developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with Coconino County. The process included an extensive, multi-year review of the changes brought about by environmental, land use, and other forces. It used state-of-the-art aerial mapping and flood risk modeling techniques, new scientific data, and a comprehensive pre-release technical review.

In reviewing the maps, some property owners in the Munds Park area will find that their risk is higher or lower than they thought. If the risk level for a property changes, then requirements for flood insurance and building standards can change as well. FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has a cost-saving rating option to help reduce the cost of flood insurance. This applies to property owners whose properties’ flood risk has gone from moderate-low risk to high-risk (e.g., flood Zone X to Zone A).

An in-person flood risk open house has been scheduled for September 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Pinewood Country Club. This open house will allow Munds Park residents and business owners to learn more about the updated flood maps, including how properties may be affected. Steps will be shared that they can take to protect their investments. For those unable to attend in person, a virtual open house will be held online on September 13, 6:30 p.m. More details can be found at www.coconino.az.gov/3143/Munds-Park-Flood-Risk-Open-House-Date.

The updated FIRMs are still preliminary and have neither been officially adopted nor become effective. In addition to the virtual public meeting, there will be a Public Comment Period, which is targeted to run this fall. Property owners can submit appeals – if they can show that the maps are technically or scientifically in error – and comments. Once all appeals and comments are received and addressed, the maps are expected to become effective next summer. At that time, the new flood insurance requirements will take effect.

More information about the mapping project is available at the project website: www.coconino.az.gov/3141/Munds-Park. Individuals with general questions about the local map update efforts can also call the Flood Control District at 928-679-8881 during business hours or email [email protected]. For information about flood insurance, contact your local insurance agent or visit www.FloodSmart.gov.

Incident Commander David Rasmussen assumed command of the Valentine Fire last night. The fire continues to actively burn on the southern and eastern flanks today. It is burning pine needles and downed logs on the forest floor.

Operations: Firefighters are continuing to monitor fire growth, improve condition of containment lines, and conduct road maintenance. These efforts have successfully increased the completion of operational objectives to 30%. The objectives achieved on the Valentine Fire, including line preparation and point protection, were designed to support the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy, a national strategy to address the wildfire crisis in places where it poses the most immediate threats to communities. To learn more about the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.      

Weather: Temperatures will rise to around 89 this afternoon with continued dry conditions. A light northeast wind in the morning will transition to the southwest then west by late afternoon. Cumulus clouds will develop late morning through the afternoon, although chances of rain are very low (15%). Relative humidity this afternoon will drop into the 20-25% range after moderate overnight recoveries.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Valentine Fire operations.

Smoke: Smoke has become less visible as rainstorms have moved into the Valentine Fire area. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Fire details:

• Size: 26 acres
• Start Date:  August 16, 2023
• Cause: Lightning
• Completion: 30%
• Total personnel: 44
• Location: 11 miles northeast of Young, Arizona and 27 miles east of Payson, Arizona
• Fuels: Hardwood litter and timber

Fire information:
For fire information visit InciWeb, the Tonto National Forest Facebook or Twitter
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (602) 525-1042
Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 will host a community meeting tonight, on Monday, August 28, at 7:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 546 W. Ashby Apple Drive, Payson, AZ. The meeting will include presentations from the incident management team and the Tonto National Forest, followed by a question and answer session. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided.

Operations: The Valentine Fire acreage remains unchanged from yesterday. Higher humidity in the area is preventing fuels from drying out, resulting in minimal potential for growth along the edges of the fire. Crews have successfully completed 100% of planned line preparation and 90% of the point protection efforts, resulting in an overall increase in completion of operational objectives to 29%. Firefighters are now focusing their efforts on assessing repair needs along dozer lines and scouting for potential contingency lines as an added layer of protection for adjacent communities. Firefighters have assessed all structures in the Colcord Mountain Estates and Ponderosa Spring subdivisions to develop a structure protection plan that identifies any actions and/or resources needed in the event of a future fire in the area. The objectives of the Valentine Fire, include line preparation and point protection, are designed to support the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy, a national strategy to address the wildfire crisis in places where it poses the most immediate threats to communities. To learn more about the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.    

Weather: Conditions will be mostly clear, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. A slight chance for afternoon showers and thunderstorms exists, although most of the shower activity is expected to be south of the fire area. However, outflow winds from distant thunderstorms could still affect the area. Overall winds will be light and mainly terrain-driven with a noticeable westerly component developing in the afternoon. Temperatures will be above normal in the middle to upper 80s. A drier air mass in place will result in lower humidity today, dropping into the 20-25% this afternoon.

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued an emergency area closure for the Valentine Fire. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. The full closure order (No. 03-12-05-23-22) and map are available on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=82769. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Valentine Fire operations. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

Smoke: Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at https://azdeq.gov/wildfire-faqs.

Fire details:

• Acres: 14
• Start date: August 16, 2023
• Cause: Lightning
• Location: 11 miles northeast of Young, AZ, and 27 miles east of Payson, AZ
• Containment: 29%
• Fuels: Hardwood litter and timber
• Total personnel: 272              

Fire information:
Fire updates are posted on InciWeb and the Tonto National Forest Facebook, and Twitter pages
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (928) 588-4033
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

A community meeting will take place on Monday, August 28, at 7:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 546 W. Ashby Apple Drive, Payson, AZ. Fire managers have updated their assessment of accomplishments on the incident, increasing to 14% completion of operational objectives.

On the Valentine Fire, these objectives include confinement, point protection, and line preparation. Confinement involves restricting the fire to a defined area, primarily through use of natural barriers that are expected to restrict the spread of the wildfire under the prevailing and forecasted weather conditions. Point protection is a response strategy which protects specific assets or highly valued resources, and often involves using pumps, hoses, and sprinklers to protect structures and other identified values. Line preparation is the task of preparing an area by removing heavy concentrations of vegetation along roads and other holding features to prevent fire spread beyond the planned boundaries. Firefighters have been focusing the majority of their efforts on line preparation, completing approximately 90% of this work over the past several days. Collectively, these efforts align with the goals of the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy – to learn more, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.

Operations: The Valentine Fire acreage remains the same after yesterday’s storm brought precipitation and higher humidity to the area. Although rain fell on the fire, it continues to burn slowly within the defined planning area. In some places, this slow burning fire is smoldering without a flame; in other areas, the fire is barely spreading or creeping with a low flame. With the increased moisture, smaller vegetation such as grasses, twigs, and leaves are not drying out until late in the day, resulting in a shorter burning period for the fire. Crews are continuing to prepare the perimeter of the planning area by improving conditions along National Forest System Roads 291 and 411, and constructing handlines to limit fire spread between these roads. Firefighters are staying alert to changing conditions to provide for safety, pausing work when thunderstorms presents a hazard over the fire.

Weather: Conditions will be partly cloudy with light downslope winds in the morning. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop around noon. Expect brief moderate to heavy rainfall, small hail, and cloud-to-ground lightning. Overall winds will be light and terrain-driven at 10 MPH, with higher wind gusts up to 30 MPH with thunderstorm outflows.

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued an emergency area closure for the Valentine Fire. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. The full closure order (No. 03-12-05-23-22) and map are available on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=82769. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Valentine Fire operations. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

Smoke: Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at https://azdeq.gov/wildfire-faqs. 
 
Fire details:

• Acres: 14    
• Start date: August 16, 2023
• Cause: Lightning    
• Location: 11 miles northeast of Young, AZ, and 27 miles east of Payson, AZ
• Completion: 14%    
• Fuels: Hardwood litter and timber
• Total personnel: 242                                     

Fire information:

• Fire updates are posted on InciWeb and the Tonto National Forest Facebook, and Twitter pages
• Email: [email protected]  
•  Phone: (928) 588-4033
•  Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Fire managers are measuring progress on the lightning-caused Valentine Fire in terms of percent completion of management objectives, rather than traditional percent containment. Percent completion of objectives more accurately captures and reports the specific amount of work accomplished on the ground to manage fire spread and reduce the negative impacts to communities, infrastructure, and other identified values. By using percent completion, fire managers can illustrate how they are progressing with the accomplishment of objectives each day.

On the Valentine Fire, the intended operational objectives are to reintroduce fire into a fire-dependent ecosystem to reduce future wildfire severity in support of the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy. Benefits will include reduction of hazardous fuels, encouragement of native forage growth, improved range and watershed conditions, and improved species diversity and wildlife habitat. To learn more about the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.

Operations: Firefighters are continuing efforts to confine the Valentine Fire within the planning area. Confinement is a wildfire response strategy that involves restricting a wildfire to a defined area, primarily using natural barriers; however, additional response actions are sometimes needed to augment or connect natural barriers. Currently, firefighters are focusing on prepping the perimeter of the planning area by removing heavy concentrations of vegetation along National Forest System Roads 200, 291, 411, and 955, and improving the conditions of these roads using dozers and graders. Where gaps exist between these Forest Service roads, crews are constructing handlines to connect and build a continuous boundary to restrict fire spread. Firefighters will continue similar handline construction, road improvement, and fuels reduction activities in the coming days.

Weather: A slight downturn in activity and a few degrees of warming is expected over the weekend, however, scattered showers and thunderstorms will still be present each afternoon and early evening. Winds will be generally light, but will begin to trend easterly. High dew points and shower activity will keep relative humidity values fairly high throughout the day.

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued an emergency area closure for the Valentine Fire. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. The full closure order (No. 03-12-05-23-22) and map are available on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=82769. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Valentine Fire operations. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

Smoke: Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at https://azdeq.gov/wildfire-faqs. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Fire details

• Acres: 14    
• Start date: August 16, 2023
• Cause: Lightning    
• Location: 8 miles northeast of Young, AZ, on the Pleasant Valley Ranger District
• Containment: 0%    
• Fuels: Hardwood litter and timber
• Total personnel: 228 
   

Fire information

• Fire updates are posted on InciWeb and the Tonto National Forest Facebook, and Twitter pages
• Email: [email protected]  
• Phone: (928) 588-4033 ;  Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM unnamed (6).jpg

The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4, led by Incident Commander Aaron Hulburd, assumed command of the lightning-caused Valentine Fire at 7:00 AM this morning, Friday, August 25, 2023. The Type 2 Incident Management Team brings additional resources and management capabilities to manage the Valentine Fire. The intended results of managing naturally caused fires are to reduce hazardous fuels, encourage the growth of native forage, improve range conditions, increase species diversity, protect and improve wildlife habitat, improve watershed conditions, and restore ecological balance. The objectives of the Valentine Fire are designed to meet the intent of the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy, a national strategy to address the wildfire crisis in places where it poses the most immediate threats to communities. To learn more about the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.

Operations: Taking the opportunity to use natural fire to restore ecosystems helps creates conditions where fire crews can more safely and effectively manage future wildfires, and also reduce the risk to communities from future fires. Firefighters are working to improve access into the fire area, remove hazardous trees along roadways, and remove vegetation surrounding values that require protection from fire, including powerlines, fences, and range infrastructure. Fire managers are developing a strategy that protects valuable resources in the area, including State Routes 260 and 512, the communities of Ponderosa and Colcord Estates, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, timber, recreation, and other environmental and social values.

Weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected each day and evening through Saturday. Some storms will produce heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and gusty, erratic outflow winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour (MPH). Winds will generally be variable less than 15 MPH away from thunderstorms.

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued an emergency area closure for the Valentine Fire. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. The full closure order (No. 03-12-05-23-22) and map are available on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=82769.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Valentine Fire operations. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/.

Smoke: Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at https://azdeq.gov/wildfire-faqs. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Email: [email protected]  •  Phone: (928) 588-4033  • Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Fire details

• Size: 13 acres
• Start Date: August 16, 2023
• Cause: Lightning
• Location:  8 miles northeast of Young, AZ, on the Pleasant Valley Ranger District
• Containment: 0%                       
• Fuels: Ponderosa Pine, Mixed Conifer, Pinyon Juniper
• Total personnel: 160

Fire information
Fire updates are posted on InciWeb and the Tonto National Forest Facebook, and Twitter pages
Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
Tonto National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest

The Valentine fire is a lightning caused wildfire that is currently burning eight miles northeast of Young, AZ.  The fire is being managed under a confine/contain strategy with the goal of reintroducing fire into a fire dependent ecosystem that has been excluded for more than 50 years. The intended result of managing naturally caused fires are to reduce hazardous fuels, encourage the growth of native forage, improve range conditions, increase species diversity, protect and improve wildlife habitat, improve watershed conditions and restore ecological balance. While decreasing unnaturally high accumulations of fuels thus decreasing the potential for future fires to burn with unnaturally high severity in support of the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.

Southwest Incident Management Team 4 will assume command of the fire at 6 a.m. on August 25, 2023.

Operations: Firefighters efforts will continue to improve firelines and focus on the protection of the many values at risk which include high voltage transmission lines, State Routes 260 and 512, communities of Ponderosa and Colcord Estates, range infrastructure, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, timber, recreation, and other environmental and social values. 

Weather: Mostly Sunny then becoming mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. These conditions are forecasted to continue over the next couple days. Winds generally will be out of south to southwest during the day and light at night. High temperatures will range from 89 to 99 degrees below 5000 feet elevation and 82 to 91 above 5000 feet elevation. The forecasted weather conditions are favorable for maintaining low to moderate fire behavior in the area which closely resemble natural fire regimes in these ecosystems. 

Closures: An emergency closure order for the Valentine Fire is in effect. The public is asked to avoid the fire area. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations (Closure Order). 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area. 

Smoke: Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.
    
Fire details

• Size: 13 acres
• Start Date: August 16, 202 
• Cause: Lightning
• Location:  Payson Ranger District, AZ
• Containment: 0%                       
• Fuels: Ponderosa Pine, Mixed Conifer, Pinyon Juniper 
• Total personnel: 178  

Fire information

• Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto 
• Tonto National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest  

In his first official action as Chair of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board) on Thursday, August 24, Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez  authorized an official emergency resolution regarding the flooding in the community of Tusayan that occurred on Tuesday of this week.

In adopting this resolution, the Board is authorizing County Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Office to issue further shelter in place or evacuation orders should
another significant rainfall event affect this community. It also assists with requests for State and Federal assistance to aid in the clean up and repairs to public infrastructure.

Tuesday’s storm produced an estimated three inches of rainfall in less than one hour, concentrated over a wash east of Tusayan. The wash was soon overwhelmed, flooding
the Grand Canyon gateway community with up to three feet of water by 5 p.m. that evening. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, and Flood Control
District staff arrived soon after to assess the situation and assist the Town of Tusayan in setting up a local incident command center. A temporary order to boil tap water for
drinking has been lifted after testing confirmed no bacterial contamination present.

With more inclement weather in the forecast, the Board strongly recommend residents throughout the County prepare for the possibility of a “shelter in place” or evacuation
order, an extended period of power outage, or the inability to access homes, and to prepare an emergency kit that contains clothes, medicines, and important documents
for each member of the family and household pets to last a minimum of 72 hours.

Residents should also prepare an emergency plan that includes a means to alert family members and a plan to move pets and/or livestock to safety. All residents are also
encouraged to know their neighborhood’s evacuation zone and register for emergency notifications at www.coconino.az.gov/ready.

The full resolution can be found online here. The County is also working with Tusayan leadership to facilitate an in-person community meeting for residents of Tusayan and
Grand Canyon Village tonight at 6 p.m. at Tusayan Town Hall, 845 Mustang Dr.

Effective Friday, August 25 at 8 a.m., the Bureau of Land Management will lift all seasonal fire restrictions for public lands administered by the Phoenix and Colorado River Districts, including the Kingman, Lake Havasu, and Yuma field offices as well as the Hasssayampa, and Lower Sonoran field offices.

Due to increased precipitation across the area, additional rain in the weather forecast, and a rise in fuel moisture, it has been determined that the likelihood of wildfire has lessened to the degree that the restrictions can be rescinded. 

Before going hiking or camping, ensure you are aware of fire regulations, restrictions, or area closures. 

• Use metal fire rings or grills where present. Wood placed on a fire should never exceed the size of the grill or fire ring. 
• If building a fire on the ground (where permitted), choose a location away from adjoining or overhanging flammable material, and ensure the ground around the fire is clear of all flammable materials. Avoid fires on windy days if possible.  
• If you have a campfire, never leave it unattended and make sure it is fully extinguished before leaving the area. Fires should be doused with water and dirt and stirred with a shovel until completely cold to the touch.  
• If you are using a portable stove, make sure the area is clear of grass and other fine fuels. Prevent stoves from tipping and starting a fire. 
• Never throw cigarettes out of the window of a vehicle. Use an ashtray instead.  
• Practice Leave No Trace principles — pack out cigarette butts, trash, and burned materials from your site.
• Never park over dead grass; a vehicle’s catalytic converter can ignite the vegetation. 
• Use caution while discharging a firearm, operating an internal combustion engine, welding, or operating torches with an open flame, or using explosives (where permitted). 

Fireworks and exploding targets are always prohibited on state-trust and federally managed lands.

Fire restrictions may vary by county or jurisdiction depending on the level of fire danger. For information on fire restrictions, prevention tips and restrictions in your area, contact your local BLM office, or visit https://wildlandfire.az.gov.  

The Valentine fire is a lightning caused wildfire that is currently burning eight miles northeast of Young, AZ.  The fire is being managed under a confine/contain strategy with the goal of reintroducing fire into a fire dependent ecosystem that has been excluded for more than 50 years. The intended result of managing naturally caused fires are to reduce hazardous fuels, encourage the growth of native forage, improve range conditions, increase species diversity, protect and improve wildlife habitat, improve watershed conditions and restore ecological balance. While decreasing unnaturally high accumulations of fuels thus decreasing the potential for future fires to burn with unnaturally high severity in support of the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.

Operations: Firefighters efforts will continue to improve firelines and focus on the protection of the many values at risk which include high voltage transmission lines, State Routes 260 and 512, communities of Ponderosa and Colcord Estates, range infrastructure, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, timber, recreation, and other environmental and social values. 

Weather: Conditions will be mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. These conditions are forecasted to continue over the next couple days. Winds will generally be out of south to southwest during the day and light at night. High temperatures will range from 80 to 90 degrees below 5000 feet elevation and 86 to 96 above 5000 feet elevation. The forecasted weather conditions are favorable for maintaining low to moderate fire behavior in the area which closely resemble natural fire regimes in these ecosystems. 

Closures: The Tonto National Forest is currently developing an emergency closure area for the Valentine Fire. Until the closure is in effect the public is asked to avoid the fire area. The purpose of the closure order will be to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area. 

Smoke: Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

Fire details:
Size: 13 acres
Start Date: August 18, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Location:  Payson Ranger District, AZ
Containment: 0% 
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine, Mixed Conifer, Pinyon Juniper 
Total personnel: 50  

Fire information

Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto 
Tonto Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest     

Coconino County Emergency Management and Public Works staff are currently in the Town of Tusayan, working closely with Town leadership on assessing the situation after a significant rainfall event impacted the Grand Canyon gateway community yesterday. 

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and Tusayan officials can confirm no injuries or search and rescue activity at this time. State Route 64 has reopened in both directions, permitting access to Tusayan and the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The K-12 Grand Canyon School is also open for classes today.

The American Red Cross shelter has been established at the Tusayan Airport Terminal. The shelter is planned to stay open through Thursday, August 24. Sandbags and bottled water are available at Tusayan Town Hall and the Grand Canyon Shuttle and Park & Ride parking lot on State Route 64. St. Mary’s Food Bank will have food assistance packages available tomorrow morning at the Town Hall.

County and State assessors are on site conducting ongoing damage assessments to determine impacts to public infrastructure and private property, and supporting debris removal. We are also working with the Red Cross to establish a community assistance center in town for residents whose primary residences were flooded, more details will be available soon.

The order for residents to boil drinking water remains in effect through Thursday, August 24 at 12 p.m.  The municipal water provider has tested the town’s water supply for contaminants and is expecting results tomorrow morning from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).

Tusayan and Coconino County are planning a public meeting on Thursday, a time and location will be determined.

Coconino County Information Technology also supported the incident command center with a direct link to Starlink, enabling efficient and timely communications from a remote area.

A significant rainfall event has impacted the Coconino Wash east of the Town of Tusayan, just south of the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. Due to a reported two to three inches of rainfall in a short amount of time this afternoon, water up to three feet in depth has reached State Route 64 and most of the gateway community.

Emergency notifications advising people in the flood-impacted areas to shelter in place until waters recede have been deployed through the County’s RAVE Emergency Notifications System. All students attending school at Grand Canyon Village are being safely sheltered inside the school at this time. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and Emergency Management (CCEM) have asked parents not to attempt to pick up their children until it is deemed safe to travel in the area.

All unnecessary travel to and from the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is not recommended. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has closed State Route 64 south of Tusayan, all traffic from inside the National Park is being routed east on SR64 through Cameron.

County representatives are meeting with Tusayan and Park Service officials to coordinate an urgent response and ensure public safety. The County is also mobilizing resources to assist with emergency shelters, clear debris from roads, and assist with evacuations if necessary.

As Hurricane Hilary moves towards the West Coast, Lake Havasu City is preparing for potential severe weather conditions over the upcoming days. The city continues to closely monitor the situation and taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and visitors.

Given the latest forecast from the National Weather Services, Lake Havasu City is likely to experience adverse weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential flooding. These weather conditions are predicted to impact our region today at 2 pm through 5 am Monday. Our top priority is to keep the community informed and prepared, and we urge everyone to stay vigilant and act responsibly during this time. 

The City's emergency management team is working round the clock to implement necessary precautions, including increased staffing, road closures in flood-prone areas, and ensuring the availability of essential services.

If your property is prone to flooding and you are in need of sandbags, Lake Havasu City Fire Department has sand and bags available at the following locations:
•    Fire Station 2 2065 Kiowa Blvd North (West side parking lot area near chain link fence)
•    Fire Station 5 145 Lake Havasu Ave North (South East corner of the rear parking lot)

We advise against any non-essential travel during severe weather conditions to avoid potential dangers and disruptions. If you must venture out, exercise extreme caution and adhere to any traffic detours or road closures. Lake Havasu City thanks the community for their cooperation and encourages everyone to look out for one another during this challenging period. For more emergency preparedness information go to emergencypreparednessguide.pdf (lhcaz.gov)     

FEMA continues coordinating the federal response efforts in Hawaii, while also closely monitoring the impacts from Tropical Storm Hilary in California and other states in the southwest.

FEMA is closely coordinating with California, Arizona and Nevada in the path of the storm and stands ready to provide support as needed. FEMA pre-positioned supplies at the U.S. Air Force March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California. A FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team deployed to the California Office of Emergency Services and is prepared to assist with any requests for federal assistance. Additional teams are on standby for deployment if necessary.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin later today in portions of the southwestern U.S. The National Hurricane Center predicts rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches, with isolated amounts of 10 inches across portions of southern California and southern Nevada.

FEMA urges residents in Hilary’s path to complete preparation for flooding impacts associated the storm. Although Hilary is expected to weaken to a tropical storm before it reaches southern California, it is forecast to bring dangerous to catastrophic flooding across portions of southern California and southern Nevada.

Residents should not focus on the exact track of the hurricane. Hurricanes are immense systems, and their size, intensity, speed and direction can change quickly. Additionally, areas far from the storm’s center can experience effects such as flooding and heavy winds.

As the storm moves inland, visitors and residents in in the storm’s forecast path should monitor their local news for updates and directions provided by their local officials and heed local evacuation orders.

FEMA encourages everyone to visit www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov to learn more about how to be  prepared and how to protect yourself and your loved ones during emergencies.

Stay safe during and after the storm

Important safety reminders if you’re in an area that has been, or is still being impacted by the storm:

• If local officials give the order to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not forget your pets.
• Flooding is often the greatest threat to life and property from a tropical storm. It poses a significant threat for drowning and can occur before, during or after the center of a storm passes through an area. Be aware: Flooding can sometimes cut off transportation routes with little or no warning.
• Don’t drive or walk through flood waters. It only takes a small amount of water to move people or vehicles. If you encounter a flooded roadway, don’t attempt to pass through water – turn around, don’t drown.
• Stay off the roads. Emergency workers may be assisting people in flooded areas or cleaning up debris. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way.
• Avoid downed power or utility lines; they may be live with deadly voltage. Report them immediately to your power or utility company.
• Your National Flood Insurance Program policy will cover and reimburse certain actions you take to minimize damage to your home and belongings before a flood.

In response to Tropical Storm Hilary, the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross is collaborating with Emergency Management in LA Paz, Pima, and Yuma Counties. Volunteers are on standby in case emergency shelters are needed.

Courtney Slanaker, Executive Director of Southern AZ, said, "Thanks to our incredible cadre of volunteers and staff, we are prepared to shelter people potentially displaced by the storm." Slanaker emphasized the extreme dangers and unpredictability of flash flooding, especially on the roadways and dry riverbeds that cross over a street. Even a small amount of water can knock you off your feet. Only 6 inches of water can cause you to fall, and just 12 inches of rushing water can carry most cars away.

Follow these three steps to prepare

Create an evacuation plan: Plan what to do if you are separated from your family during an emergency and establish an evacuation plan. Ensure that your emergency plan includes provisions for your pets.

Build an emergency kit: Assemble an emergency kit with essential items such as a gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, a first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants or pets, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.

Stay informed: Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you can receive important information, such as evacuation orders. Stay tuned to your local radio, NOAA radio, or news channel for the latest updates.

Residents can download the free Red Cross Emergency App to prepare for the unexpected. The app provides real-time weather alerts, information on open Red Cross shelters, and expert advice on floods. It is compatible with smartphones, Apple Watch, and Android wearable devices. Search "American Red Cross" in app stores or visit redcross.org/apps.

Flooding Safety Tips:

It is crucial to heed the advice of local authorities and evacuate immediately if instructed to do so. Safety should be the top priority. Differentiate between a watch and a warning, where a watch indicates likely conditions and staying alert is advised, while a warning requires immediate action.  Here are some additional safety tips for dealing with flooding:

• Turn around, don't drown: Avoid driving on flooded roads. If you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and find an alternative route.
• Follow evacuation routes: Do not attempt shortcuts, as they may be blocked.
• Stay away from floodwaters: Be cautious of snakes, insects, and other animals that may be present near floodwaters and your home.
• Keep children and pets away from hazardous areas and floodwaters.
• Avoid using potentially contaminated water for cooking, drinking, or personal hygiene.
• Offer assistance to those in need, especially individuals with special needs, older adults, those without transportation, large families, and people with disabilities.
• Report downed power lines to the utility company and refrained from stepping in puddles or standing water near them.
• If any gas or electrical appliances are flooded, do not use them until they have been inspected for safety.
• Dispose of any food that has come into contact with floodwater.
• Take photos of home damage, including buildings and contents, for insurance purposes.

Arizonans have asked how they can help those affected by wildfires and other disasters, large and small. Red Cross has information on ways to help and volunteer opportunities at redcross.org/volunteer.

Although Hurricane Hilary has been downgraded to Tropical Storm Hilary, it is still expected to bring rainfall, high winds, the potential for localized and flash flooding and the possibility of isolated spin up tornadoes to parts of Arizona. Residents and visitors are urged to pay close attention to local emergency information and alerts. 

Take action now

Know your risk.  For the latest forecast in your area,  follow the social media channels of  the National Weather Service  Offices  in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Las Vegas or visit the National Weather Services websites in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff and Las Vegas.

Learn the language.  Know the difference  when  Watches (possiblity)  and  Warnings (immenent) are issued by the National Weather Service.

Prepare your home.  Clean out roof drains on your home to prevent the accumulation of rain water on the roof. Secure or bring in any outdoor patio furniture, trampolines or other objects that may become airborne.

Make an Emergency Plan. Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your communication plans. Include the office, kids’ day care, and anywhere else you frequent. 

Listen to officials. Follow the instructions from local emergency managers, who will provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community and appropriate safety measures.

Gather supplies. Have enough supplies for your household, including medication, disinfectant supplies, and supplies for your pet or support or service animal in your go bag or car trunk. 

Get tech ready.   Keep your cell phone charged when you know a storm  is in the forecast and purchase backup charging devices to power electronics.

Recommended actions during and after: 

• When in doubt, wait it out! If the weather report looks unsafe for outdoor activities do not go. 
• If you are caught in a dust storm or heavy rain ahead, it’s best to exit the roadway to get to a safe area to wait for the storm to move through the area. 
• Don’t risk crossing a flooded wash, even if it doesn’t look deep. Water is a powerful force that should not be underestimated. Even a few inches of running water poses a serious risk of sweeping pedestrians and or vehicles downstream. In addition, non visible washed-out roadways through a wash may be very deep and unseen from the surface.
• If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave your car if the water is moving!
• Do not drive around “Road Closed” signs or barricades. You are risking your life and the life of  any passengers in your vehicle if you decide to do this.
• Stay away from downed power lines and any standing water in the area of power lines.  Lines and these areas may be or become energized at any time by automated systems.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area officials are announcing a complete closure of the park to recreational use effective today at 5 pm.  This closure order is expected to remain in effect through at least Monday, and conditions at the park will be assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure proper measures are taken to ensure safe operations moving forward. 

The closure applies to park visitors, government employees, concession employees, park residents and stakeholders. Exceptions will be made for local, state or federal government employees engaged in official duties.  

This closure is being issued in anticipation of expected severe disruption of services and imminent danger to people and facilities at the park as Hurricane Hilary moves in. The National Weather Service is predicting dangerous impacts to the entire area for the rest of the weekend and into next week.  

The park has already experienced multiple power and utility outages prior to the arrival of Hurricane Hilary. Due to a storm last night, one marina experienced extensive damage, to include multiple dock separations, power outages, and fuel outages.  

During the storm, access to emergency response vessels and personnel is expected to be limited, as we take all necessary steps to keep our staff out of harm’s way. There may be times when no emergency response is available. Regional air response is grounded through this storm.  

Updates will be provided as they become available. The park is providing the latest updates via social media and the Lake Mead NRA Current Conditions web page.  

NPS officials also urge everyone to continually monitor the National Weather Service sites for Lake Mead and Lake Mohave for the latest storm updates at the park, and use extreme caution if you are traveling anywhere in the area this weekend. 

Hurricane Hilary is expected to bring heavy rain,  the potential for flooding,  damaging winds, and the possibility of tornadoes.  Residents and visitors are urged to pay close attention to local emergency information and alerts. 

Follow the National Weather Service on social media for the latest forecast in your area from the National Weather Service Offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff.   Find out how rain, wind, water and even tornadoes could happen far inland from where a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall. 

Make an Emergency Plan Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your communication plans. Include the office, kids’ day care, and anywhere else you frequent. 

 Follow the instructions from local emergency managers, who will provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community and appropriate safety measures.

Gather supplies. Have enough supplies for your household, including medication, disinfectant supplies, and supplies for your pet or support or service animal in your go bag or car trunk. 

Prepare your home.  Clean out roof drains or scuppers on your home to prevent the accumulation of rain water on the roof. Secure or bring in any outdoor patio furniture, trampolines or other objects that may become airborne.

 Recommended actions during and after: 

• When in doubt, wait it out! If the weather report looks unsafe for outdoor / lake activities do not go. 
• If you are caught in a dust storm or heavy rain ahead, it’s best to exit the roadway or main body of water and get to a safe area to wait for the storm to move through the area. Safe areas are as far off the roadway as possible or in protected coves or areas of the lake protected from wind and rough water.
• Don’t risk crossing a flooded wash, even if it doesn’t look deep. Water is a powerful force that should not be underestimated. Even a few inches of running water poses a serious risk of sweeping pedestrians and or vehicles downstream. In addition, non visible washed-out roadways through a wash may be very deep and unseen from the surface.
• If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave your car if the water is moving!
• Do not drive around “Road Closed” signs or barricades. You are risking your life and the life of any passengers in your vehicle if you decide to do this.
• Stay away from downed power lines and any standing water in the area of power lines.  Lines and these areas may be or become energized at any time by automated systems.

Fire Managers on the Prescott National Forest plan to take advantage of the moisture received over the last few weeks and burn debris piles near Camp Wood and Connell Mountain located northwest of Prescott on the Chino Valley Ranger District.  Ignitions are planned to start on Saturday, August 19, 2023, and will continue as conditions remain favorable.  Smoke impacts are expected to be light in the vicinity of Yolo Ranch area, Camp Wood Road (County Road 68) and Forest Service Road 9.  As nighttime temperatures cool smoke can linger in drainages and valleys.  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 prescribed burns 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. 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, 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 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) 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.