Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District AZ
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Patriot Day remembers those who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.
Williams hosted a parade for Patriot Day and Sherwood Fire participated. Two trucks and four personnel took part in the parade which was at 11:00 am Saturday, September 12, 2020.
August has been a busy month. Here are the highlights.
Responses:
Apparatus:
Station:
Equipment
News:
Stay safe.
John D. Moede
FLAGSTAFF, WILLIAMS , Ariz., Aug. 10, 2020 — Due to lack of monsoon precipitation and key criteria being met for restrictions, the Coconino and Kaibab national forests will enter Stage 1 campfire and smoking restrictions Friday (Aug. 14) at 8 a.m. The goal of the fire restrictions is to protect public health by reducing the number of preventable human-caused wildfires.
Under the 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. Using a device that is solely fueled by 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. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest lands.
Fire officials acknowledge it is rare for restrictions to be applied twice in the same year, however these decisions are based on a combination of factors that are carefully measured. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include things such as current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, a variety of science-based indices, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources.
Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. With no significant moisture predicted in the long term forecast, additional restrictions may be applied at any time conditions warrant which could include Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and additional closure areas as needed. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area covered by the restrictions receives significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded.
An explanation of the different stages of fire restrictions and what is typically prohibited during those stages can be found online at www.tinyurl.com/firestagesexplained.
The Kaibab National Forest will also temporarily close the Bill Williams Mountain watershed just southwest of the City of Williams due to the area’s susceptibility to uncharacteristically severe wildfire and post-wildfire flooding that could result.
There will be a modified boundary of this closure area on the south side of the mountain reducing the southern closure boundary from FR108 north to FR122.
Forest officials would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the national forest while under fire restrictions is a violation that can carry a mandatory appearance in federal court. Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands during fire season.
Know Before You Go! The public can obtain additional fire information via the following:
· Fire Restrictions on Public Lands in Arizona and New Mexico – 1-877-864-6985
· Coconino National Forest – www.coconinonationalforest.us
· Kaibab National Forest – www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
· Arizona Fire Restrictions: https://firerestrictions.us/az/
· Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention and Information Website – www.wildlandfire.az.gov/
As we are closing the transition period, I just wanted to say thanks again to Annie, Brian and Chris for all the work in cleaning up the station. Well done guys.
Last month the District responded to medical calls, a structure fire (mutual aid for High Country Fire) and multiple illegal burning incidents. The fire restrictions have been lifted but we must stay vigilant. As I write this there is a 1.5-acre fire working near Dog Town Lake. Fuel moisture levels are low which can still lead to rapid fire spread. Also, we must remain vigilant for Covid 19 as we are seeing a surge in positive cases. Two of our members were exposed to a Covid positive patient last month but due to good awareness and protective equipment both members tested negative during follow up. Please make sure you have your protective equipment and know how to put it on correctly.
We are still in the repair process for Tender 8 and hoping to bring that to conclusion this week. T-8 is out of service and T-5 is confined to the District pending its repair.
The electrical work is coming to conclusion in both buildings. Please note the new exterior light on Building 2 and the electrical box in Building 1.
I am making changes to the organizational chart in an effort to streamline the organization. More on that in the future.
Thanks for coming to training on Aug 1, our next training will be on Aug 19 (6 pm).
Stay safe. JM
Williams, Ariz., July 28, 2020—For Immediate Release. Due to significant and widespread precipitation received across much of northern Arizona, the Kaibab National Forest will lift all fire restrictions on all three districts on Tuesday July 28 at 6:00 a.m.
The area closure protecting the Bill Williams Mountain watershed will also be rescinded at this time, and visitors can once again camp, hike, and drive in the popular recreation areas. However, due to the hazardous nature of technical work in the higher elevations where steep slope fuels reduction operations have been occurring, a revised area closure will be forthcoming in September to ensure public safety on that portion of the mountain as work resumes.
The districts have received a substantial amount of rain over the last two weeks relaxing the danger levels across the forest. Each year fire officials closely monitor conditions before decisions are made to implement fire restrictions and area closures designed to protect human life, property and natural resources. These procedures are used to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions.
The Kaibab National Forest would like to express appreciation for all those who assisted our firefighters and patrol units with their compliance while under these conditions. When members of the public abide by fire restrictions and closures, they greatly help in protecting their public lands and adjacent communities from the threats posed by human-caused wildfires.
For more information about the Kaibab National Forest and any fire restrictions in effect, reference the following sources:
From:
Bob Blasi
Fire Information Officer
USDA Forest Service
Kaibab National Forest – Williams / Tusayan Ranger Districts
p: 928-635-5653
c: 928-606-7491
f: 928-635-5690
bob.blasi@usda.gov
742 S Clover Rd
Williams, AZ 86046
www.fs.fed.us
From the Office of Matt Ryan:
Good Afternoon,
Thank you for your patience and perseverance during this time. We have recently gone through impact to our communities as far as COVID-19. Now that the State’s numbers are climbing and we have heavy visitation, it is important that we realize that health measures need to be taken. We have a pandemic with no vaccine and not enough testing. We have had a surge in our region and transmission in our County and because of preventive measures we are leveling and turning the curve. We have been able to flatten the curve, but we are now seeing it rise again (see graph below and attached data dashboard). We have had active emergency rooms and stood up testing sites to help. We had a surge in homeless populations and through separation and testing have turned that curve protecting individuals and our community. Arizona is surging with one of the most rapid increases in COVID-19 cases in the Country (see graph below). The United States as a whole continues to have an upward trajectory with many more daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases than in the European Union (see graph below).
Although we are turning our curve in our County, we are getting visitation from other populations and need to protect our communities. The County is the Public Health Authority established to protect our general populations. Just as we have standards to help protect with food inspections, we have an airborne threat and need to institute preventative measures. When change occurs, such as when safety measures are required, there is a tendency to push back and not do until the context is understood. One way to look at this as a relates to a safety measure may be similar to the use of seatbelts. When they were instituted people pushed back originally. Now people use them regularly. Similarly, you do not know when you need them but you sure do when they are needed.
Therefore, a proclamation requiring wearing of masks, following CDC guidance, will take effect at noon today (see attached proclamation and press release for greater details). I support this order.
In Coconino County, as outlined in our proclamation (see attached proclamation for greater detail), all individuals older than 2 years old must wear a face covering within the unincorporated areas of the County under the following circumstances:
Face coverings will not be required for children under the age of 2 years old, or anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Face coverings will not be required when at home, while eating or drinking, while swimming, while working alone in a workplace when six feet of physical distance is present, when alone in a vehicle or in a vehicle with household members, or when exercising alone or with household members. While we encourage people to stay safe and at home this proclamation does not prohibit people from going out and instead creates a safer environment when doing so.
Coconino County continues to stand up testing at Fort Tuthill Monday through Friday 10am to 3pm. The site will be closed on Friday July 3. Masks are required at the testing site (see the attached flyer). Please take care of yourself and your families. Please help us help others by wearing a mask and looking out for your neighbors. Stay safe and well. Thank you for your help.
Matt Ryan
Updates from the Office of Matt Ryan, District Three County Supervisor, Coconino County can be found at https://www.coconino.az.gov/2376/Dashboard-Data. This dashboard is updated daily.
Northern Arizona Waste Systems alerts homeowners that waste cans/dumpsters/carts need to go out on Saturdays (not Fridays).
Please be advised, for residential cart service in Williams, AZ, we will be temporarily moving service to Saturday’s beginning 6/20. A notice will be sent when we adjust the service day back to Friday’s.
Please be sure your cart out the night before or out by 6am Saturdays beginning 6/20 to ensure service.
If your account is on a seasonal hold, please disregard this notice.
We appreciate your patience during this adjustment as a new driver will be training on the routes as quickly as possible to ensure we can adjust the service day back to Friday’s. If you have additional questions or concerns about the adjustment, please feel free to email me or call the office. Thank you, Jacqueline Rogo Northern Arizona Waste Systems, LLCPO BOX 3477 FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86003 Phone/ Fax: 928.213.9007 Email: Jacqueline@nawsllc.com
Please click on the header to see photos and information.
Good Morning,
I hope you are well and safe. Please the Coconino County COVID-19 dashboard for COVID updates. This dashboard is updated daily at https://www.coconino.az.gov/2376/Dashboard-Data
There is no testing blitz scheduled for this weekend. If another testing blitz is scheduled by the State we will make sure to update you and provide information. The Fort Tuthill Site continues to operate Monday through Friday from 10am to 3pm. A healthcare order is required, however a provider is onsite for those individuals that are symptomatic and do not have insurance or a provider. There continues to be limits with testing supplies throughout the State. We will provide information as soon as possible on testing availability.
It is possible in the next week or two the Kaibab and Coconino National Forest will move to Stage 2 restrictions given dry conditions. For updates see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/coconino/fire and https://www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab . Stage Two restrictions are already in effect in the Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District. Grand Canyon National Park is also in Stage Two Restrictions on the South Rim. See: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-implements-stage-2-fire-restrictions.htm . The County unincorporated areas, Kaibab National Forest and Coconino National Forest continue to have a campfire/open fire ban.
Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the following:
For a detailed summary on Forest Service Restrictions see: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/home/?cid=stelprdb5423784
The U.S. Forest Service – Kaibab National Forest has announced that the Moonset Pit Green Waste Disposal Site Temporarily Closing Due to Full Capacity.
The alternate site is the “Old Landfill” off of Pittman Valley I 40 interchange. Go north on FS Rd 74 to FS Rd 900 then east to end of paved road.
Moon Set open this year. Details in Flyer.
