As of June 17, 2022 at 3:00 PM, Coconino County is in Stage 3 fire restrictions. For County park and natural areas, the following restrictions apply: The following County amenities are closed: Trails, Disc Golf Course, Archery Range, and Bike Park. • No camping is allowed outside of campground area. • All campfires are prohibited. • Charcoal/wood or liquid fuels grills are prohibited. • Liquid fuels and/or liquid petroleum gas fire rings are prohibited. • Smoking is prohibited outdoors. • No vehicle parking and/or driving on grassy, forested, and unimproved/undeveloped areas. • Chainsaws and other small, motorized equipment are prohibited by park users. • Previously scheduled events to be approved by Department at least one week prior to the event.
Beginning 8 a.m. Thursday, June 29, Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions will be in effect on the entirety of the Coconino National Forest and the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
Under Forest Service Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or a developed recreation site. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest and state lands.
Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Decisions about fire restrictions are based on a combination of carefully measured factors. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought and available firefighting resources.
Additional restrictions could be forthcoming if conditions warrant. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area receives significant, widespread precipitation.
Violations could result in mandatory appearance in a federal court, fines or jail time.
The public is reminded to always be extra cautious when recreating on public lands, regardless of restrictions. Even when forest-wide restrictions aren’t in place, there are places on the Coconino National Forest that have fire restrictions year-round, such as the Flagstaff area, Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon and West Sedona areas, as well as Pumphouse Wash.
The Southwest Area Fire Restrictions website has information on all state and federally managed lands in Arizona, including an interactive map. Additional information about the stages of fire restrictions, Forest Orders, and general forest conditions can be found at fs.usda.gov/kaibab and fs.usda.gov/coconino.
From Coconino County Emergency Management
From the NWS
FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR MUCH OF NORTHERN ARIZONA Fire Weather Watch issued July 4 at 1:51PM MST until July 6 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Fire Weather Watch due to strong winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday evening.
* AFFECTED AREA…Most of northern Arizona.
* WINDS…Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 8 percent.
* IMPACTS…The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them.
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Open every other Saturday through September 9, 2023
Williams, Arizona, May 10, 2023 — The Kaibab National Forest, in cooperation with the communities of Parks and Sherwood Forest Estates is re-opening Moonset Pit on May 20, 2023 for residents to dispose of green waste materials from private property.
The pit will be open every other Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. until September 9, 2023. Moonset Pit is located just west of the Parks community, east of Spitz Springs on the north side of old Route 66.
Local area residents are encouraged to take advantage this free opportunity as they make their private property defensible against the threat of wildfire this season.
Users may discard natural woody debris such as logs, limbs, branches, brush, needles, and leaves while staff is present. Stumps/roots must be clear of dirt and rocks.
No bagged substances, lumber, construction material, household garbage or any other items can be deposited at the site.
This service would not be possible without the volunteers who have helped manage the site over the last 15+ years. in particular, Kathie Krushinsky, Sue Hamilton, and Joanie Raetzel have contributed a great deal of time and effort coordinating this program.
Kaibab NF News Release Media Contact: SM.FS.KaibabPAO@usda.gov Brienne Pettit, Forest Public Affairs Officer, 928-310-6035
OPEN on May 20, June 3 & 17, July 1, 15 & 29, August 12 & 26, September 9.
As our winter seems to be ending we look forward to summer, however with the amount of water we have received the summer fire season may be aggressive (https://mohavedailynews.com/news/145924/state-braces-for-wildfire-season/). We live and work in the “wildland interface”. This is defined as an area where fire wildland fuels affect homes and buildings. For Sherwood and Mountain Rose Estates our goal is to reduce ignitability of our structures. This is done by raking pine needles, trimming trees growing close to homes and removing dead plants and debris. This type of clearance is very important when considering the impact of embers. Researchers are reporting an increase of urban conflagrations caused by ignitions from embers landing around homes. They have also noted the increase of home-to-home ignitions. A lot of this is caused by the wind.
Wind is a direct driver of fire behavior. The faster the wind, the faster the fire moves. Some research is now suggesting that 90% of ignitions of structures are affected by wildland fires. (Note UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute’s effect of wind on fires in structures at https://fsri.org/search?keyword=wind+driven+fires).
Property owners who understand that good property maintenance (fire resistive maintenance) likely will have a better outcome if their property is impacted by fire.
The Fire District is working to obtain financial aid and workers for residents that want help with trimming trees.
Due to the heavy snow recently, the Sherwood Forest Fire District (SFEFD) has been receiving a number of calls asking for snow removal. After consulting with our insurance provider, it has been confirmed that the SFEFD does not have insurance coverage for snow removal. It will be the policy of this fire district NOT to assist with snow removal from private property.
Listed below, in no specific order, are local contractors listed on social media that are in the area stating they provide snow removal. The SFEFD does not sponsor, endorse, or receive any financial compensation from these entities.
I have directed our fire personnel that if they are going to help residents with snow, they will not have liability or injury coverage. All agreements will be between the residents and the off-duty personnel.
John D. Moede, Fire Chief Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District
12/14/22- Structure Fire/389 N. Laramy Lane (Tender)
Region Covid report
Covid at LOW level. Protective measures still apply.
Influenza cases have dropped (Covid Measures)
Equipment:
Apparatus Update
Engine 1 (In Service) Needs ground lights and siren. Carbide chain for chain saw
FR 10 (In Service)
Tender 4 (In Service) Horn not working, uknown battery date, needs water tube replacement and worklights
Tender 5 (In Service) Batteries changed
Brush 6 (In Service) Plow has been working
Tender 8 (In Service) Water site tubes need replaced
Brush 11 (In Service) Front shocks leaking oil, alternator questionable
Ford Excursion (In Service).
Trailer 10 – (OUT OF SERVICE) Returned to station, pending pump resolution
Preventative Maintenance plan developed and plan for pump testing identified
Station
Emergency power follow up. Waiting for generator
Air Compressor has been replaced
Repair to rear heater B1 completed
Superior Propane tanks delivered and functioning well
Suburban Propane tanks have been removed
Repair to west fire hydrant complete (not tested yet), bollards to recieve reflective tape
Base station radio power back up battery pending
Radios – Looking at next generation of radios
Driveway repair completed (Fuller Dirt Works) follow up grading will be done
Diesel fuel station options continue to be examined
Training: Bi-monthly trainings continue. December 3, 5 members, 2.5 hours. Station update, monthly tests-chainsaws and pumps, vehicle road course (3 vehicles), radio checks and hand signals. Next training January 14, 9 am
District Notes:
Fire danger is LOW with wind, snow and rain in the region
FCC reconciliation on Dec 7 reported to be complete and our radio frequency is legal
Radio repeater may be moved to adjacent building follow meeting for cost comparison
Continuity book development continues
New vehicle search continues
I will be out of district December 27 to January 7, coverage obtained
Participation in Fire Chief interviews with City of Williams for Fire Chief
Covid at LOW level. Protective measures still apply.
Emphasis being placed on Influenza
Equipment:
Apparatus Update
Engine 1 (In Service) Needs ground lights and siren. Carbide chain for chain saw
FR 10 (In Service)
Tender 4 (In Service) Horn not working, uknown battery date, needs water tube replacement and worklights
Tender 5 (In Service) needs interior light
Brush 6 (In Service) Plow is on and ready for use
Tender 8 (In Service) water site tube needs replaced
Brush 11 (In Service). Front shocks leaking oil, alternator questionable
Ford Excursion (In Service).
Trailer 10 – (OUT OF SERVICE) Still at Outlaws
Preventative Maintenance plan developed and plan for pump testing identified
Station
Emergency power follow up. Waiting for generator
Air Compressor has been replaced/pending oiler/water seperator/ floor and storage clean up accomplished
Repair to rear heater B1 pending
Superior Propane tanks delivered and functioning well
Suburban Propane tanks still here
Repair to west fire hydrant complete (not tested yet), bollards to recieve reflective tape
Base station radio power back up battery pending
Backyard clean up continues
Radios – Looking at next generation of radios
Sinkage in driveway primary priority, K. Perkins unavailable . Have contracted with Fuller Dirt Works
Deisel fuel station being re-examined (quote attached)
Training: Bi-monthly trainings continue. October 19, 2 members, 2 hours. November 5, 3 members 2 hours, Pressure bandages, TQ application, AED practice, inventory review. Next training November 16, 6 pm
District Notes:
Fire danger is LOW with wind, snow and rain in the region
Regional Winter Prep meeting (equipment and comms process)
With no candidates running for the Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District Board in this year’s mid-term elections, there are two vacancies to be filled. Normally when vacancies occur, the board elects residents of the fire district to temporarily fill them until the next county election (ARS 48-805.B.1).
The board is made up of five residents that are elected to the office and consists of a Chairperson, a Treasurer, a Secretary and two Members-at-Large. The board meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month and the meetings generally last for about 30 minutes, with an occasional special meeting called for matters when time is of the essence.
If you would be interested in one of these two vacancies, please email the board Secretary at:
SFEFDBPaul@yahoo.com
A “show-of-interest” form will be sent/delivered to you and picked up when you have completed it. Both positions will be filled at the November 15, 2022 board meeting which will be held at the fire house at 6:00 PM.
