Feed aggregator

NEW - #JohnsonFire #AZ #AZPNF http://bit.ly/2NtZUBP  Johnson Fire: Firefighters Respond to Smoke Report South of Lookout Mountain Prescott\

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a Health Watch (HW) for ozone effective September 21 & 22, 2019, in the Phoenix area. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HW is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.

Ground level ozone forms when two types of pollutants—volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—react in sunlight. These pollutants come primarily from automobiles, but also from other sources including industries, power plants and products, such as solvents and paints. Generally, the highest levels of ozone occur in the afternoon.

Health Impacts

People most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution include children, older adults, adults exercising outdoors, people with heart or lung disease and those suffering from asthma and bronchitis. Exposure can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis or other lung disease and reduce the body’s ability to fight infection. Symptoms may include itchy eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and upper respiratory issues.

Please help reduce ozone by doing one or more of the following:

Drive as little as possible, carpool, use public transit or telecommute

Re-fuel your vehicle in the evening

Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks – park your car and go inside

Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers – delay big painting projects

Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air

Be Air Aware!

Stay informed and be a part of the ADEQ air quality challenge. Together we can make a difference to improve air quality for everyone in Arizona by following three simple steps. | Learn More >

#IkesFire #AZ #AZGCP http://bit.ly/2NqNZoq  Ikes Fire: Windy conditions cause the Ikes Fire on the Kaibab Plateau to grow

Due to consecutive days of strong, gusty winds and below normal moisture over recent weeks, fire activity has increased again on the southwestern edge of the Ikes Fire, which is located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

After nearly two weeks of minimal growth and smoke production, the lightning-caused Ikes Fire is once again visible to visitors in the area. Due to a day of wind gusts in the 40 to 45 mph range, the wildfire has now grown to approximately 9,800 acres. Almost all of the recent growth has occurred in Grand Canyon National Park below the canyon’s rim, where available fuels were in alignment with the strong winds and steep slopes.

Weather forecasts predict that winds will diminish considerably tomorrow, which should lead to a noticeable decrease in fire behavior. Moisture is also expected to make its way back into the area by the beginning of next week.

Fire managers will continue to evaluate safe and effective options and strategies to limit or stop fire spread. This could include using the area burned in the 2018 Stina Fire to stop the wildfire’s movement to the northeast on the Kaibab National Forest.

To ensure public and firefighter safety, the temporary closure area of the Ikes Fire on the North Kaibab Ranger District will be expanded to include the roads, trails and viewpoints in the Rainbow Rim Trail area. Areas in the expanded closure include:

• Parissawampitts Point
• Fence Point
• Locust Point
• North Timp Point
• Timp Point
• Stina Point

Highway 67 and the North Rim Village and businesses are open. However, road and trail closures are in effect for the Ikes Fire area within Grand Canyon National Park. The following roads and trails are closed on the North Rim:

Powell Plateau Trail, the North Bass Trail, Fire Point, Swamp Point, and the W4 road north of the intersection of the W4 and W1 Roads.

Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other wildfires in the area, will be visible and may cause impacts. Visitors traveling to the area should be aware of possible smoke along Highway 67. Visitors are asked to drive carefully and turn headlights on for safety. For local air quality and related information, please visit the following websites: www.airnow.gov or the Smoke Management Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at https://azdeq.gov/SmokeManagemet.

More information can be found at InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6475/. Visit www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for additional information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park.

For information about the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or @KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter.

#WhiskeyFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2HQ8SFm  Whiskey Fire: Command of Whiskey Fire transitions back to the forest FL

#WhiskeyFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2HPfZxC  Whiskey Fire: new maps have been uploaded to this incident

The seasonal influenza vaccine is available at the Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Clinic in Flagstaff.  

Flu shots are available beginning Monday, Sept. 23 at the CCHHS Clinic, 2625 N. King Street, Flagstaff. Appointments are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted as availability permits. Call the CCHHS Clinic at 928-679-7222 to make an appointment.

The cost for a flu vaccination at the CCHHS Clinic is $30. High-dose flu vaccinations are $50.  As a courtesy, the CCHHS will bill people’s insurance company, but those seeking a flu shot should check with their insurance provider to determine whether they are covered and are also asked to bring their insurance card. No one will be denied services due to an inability to pay. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first step in protecting against flu viruses. It is strongly recommended that everyone 6-months old and over get a flu shot each year. 

Every year a new vaccine is manufactured to combat circulating influenza viruses during each flu season. While it is too early to determine the effectiveness of this season’s vaccine, immunization reduces the chance of influenza-related complications, such as hospitalization, chronic disease and/or death. The immune system will be better prepared to combat the flu the earlier people get their shot. 

The following groups of people are encouraged to get a flu vaccination because they are at high - risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications, including:   

• Pregnant women  
• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old  
• Children with special healthcare needs 
• People 50 years of age and older  
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions  
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities  
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu.
• Health care workers  
• Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu 
• Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated) 

Flu symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches and fatigue. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. In the most severe cases, flu can lead to death. 

In addition to getting a seasonal flu shot, good health habits are also recommended. These simple actions can stop the spread of germs and help protect you and others from getting sick:  

• Wash hands frequently during the flu season.  
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.  
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.  
• Cover your mouth with your upper sleeve or with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  
• Don’t share eating utensils, cups and straws.  
• Stay home when you are sick.  

Additional information is available at www.coconino.az.gov/hhs.  Contact your health care provider or call the Coconino County Health and Human Services Clinic at 928-679-7222 or toll-free at 1-877-679-7272. 

#WhiskeyFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2LVEMBe  Whiskey Fire: Whiskey Fire Update 9-19-2019

#WhiskeyFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2HSPhEi  Whiskey Fire: new photos have been uploaded to this incident

NEW - #2019Fallprescribedbu #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2M1fJgf  2019 Fall prescribed burning: The Coconino National Forest is currently priorit

#WhiskeyFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2Nn9Ahw  Whiskey Fire: Whiskey Fire Update 9-18-19

Fire managers on the Whiskey Fire have will be using a helicopter to perform aerial ignitions to supplement the efforts of firefighters conducting hand ignition burnouts today which will produce large volumes of smoke going northeast.

Utilizing a helicopter to conduct aerial burnout operations in remote and steep sections of the fire area reduces risk to firefighters working on the ground. Ignitions are important to secure control lines and keep the fire within the predetermined containment area. Today’s firing operation is expected to produce a significant amount of smoke for the next several days. The Whiskey Fire is currently 4,190 acres.

Persons planning to travel near the fire area should expect delays and alternate routes as identified. Fire patrols are present to guide forest visitors to alternative routes in the event of a temporary road closure. Smoke will be present, so turn your headlights on for safety.

Smoke is expected to spread to the northeast today and tomorrow moving more to the north. Smoke may affect areas including Flagstaff, Munds Park, Mountainaire, Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, Doney Park, Mormon Lake Village, Highway 89A Corridor, Sedona, Village of Oak Creek and portions of Interstate 40. Firefighters will attempt to reduce impacts to the public as much as possible. However, there are no perfect weather conditions or tactics that exist to remove smoke impacts entirely from a fire.

For more information, including smoke forecasts for the Whiskey Fire, updates concerning closures and notable fire activity please visit the Whiskey Fire InciWeb site https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6580/ Quick updates will also be provided on the Coconino National Forest’s Twitter and Facebook sites, and the Forest’s website at www.coconinonationalforest.us

WHISKEY FIRE OVERVIEW

• Whiskey Fire Inciweb site: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6580/
• Discovery date: Sept. 2, 2019.
• Cause: Lightning.
• Containment: 16 percent.
• Origin location: Approximately 15 miles southwest of Flagstaff (Latitude/Longitude: 35° 2.652N, 111° 50.394W).
• Current size: 4,190 acres.
• Current resources: Four engines, one fuels crew, one dozer, four fire prevention unit, and various firefighting personnel. Approximately 80 people.
• Predicted smoke impacts: Large amounts of smoke will be produced over the next few days, impacting Flagstaff, Lake Mary and Kachina Village. Communities at lower elevations, such as Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona and Village of Oak Creek may also experience smoke impacts in the evening and overnight as smoke drains into those areas. Firefighter, public safety, and ecosystem health remain the top priorities for fire managers while keeping the fire within the planning area. Smoke may appear thicker at times due to burnout operations or as the wildfire consumes larger trees. This is normal.
• Current closures: Expected closures around the fire area is anticipated and parts of forest roads in the area may be closed periodically to allow for safe firefighting operations.
• Recent and current operations: Wildland firefighting crews are conducting burnout operations to ensure it remains in the planning area.

#WhiskeyFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2HPfZxC  Whiskey Fire: new maps have been uploaded to this incident

#WhiskeyFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2HQ8SFm  Whiskey Fire: September 17\, 2019: Daily Update | MapCurrent Situation: (as of 7:00 a.m.) The

#WhiskeyFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2Nm6b2o  Whiskey Fire: Update 9-17-2019

#EdenFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2MRyQMP  Eden Fire: A lightning-caused wildfire about 4 miles northeast of Clints Well that began last we

#WhiskeyFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2NiVFZV  Whiskey Fire: Whiskey Fire Update 9-16-2019

#WhiskeyFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2NeLgP1  Whiskey Fire: Whiskey Fire Updat 9-15-2019

#NewmanFireBAERInfo #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2LP5vQ9  Newman Fire BAER Info: new photos have been uploaded to this incident

#WhiskeyFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2HQ8SFm  Whiskey Fire: FLAGSTAFF\, Ariz.\, Sept. 14\, 2019 – The fire