News

Message to SFE and MRRE

To the residents of the Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District –

The Last 30 Days

In the last 30 days we have seen the arrival and spread of a deadly pandemic disease, significant changes for the Fire District, the hiring of our new Fire Chief, and changes in the way the Fire Board shall publicly operate.

New Fire Chief Selected

On March 17th the Fire Board interviewed two candidates for the position of Fire Chief. The decision as to which candidate was not easy as the board found both professional firefighters very qualified and had to weigh several factors. The unanimous decision, made in the best interest of the District, was to hire John Moede. John is an extremely experienced professional firefighter with extensive management experience and training. John joined the District on April 1st and began his duties as Interim Fire Chief working alongside Chief Marx. With John as Chief and then his teaming with Assistant Chiefs Matthew McDowell and Deirdre McLaughlin puts us in a great position as we meet the demands of today and as we progress into the future and its growing challenges. Like Fire Agencies nationwide our service demands have changed over the years and this will require improvements, new methods, and updated equipment to keep our fire, rescue, and emergency medical services capable of meeting our evolving public safety missions.

Chief Moede has prepared an introductory greeting which will be posted here and also distributed to the residents of the Fire District. He has also provided his resume for review.

Finally, we would be remiss if we failed to acknowledge the many years of service provided by Chief Marx to the Fire District during our most formative years. On May 16th Chief Marx will revert to an advisory capacity to Chief Moede. We wish him well on his retirement which begins July 1st.

COVID-19 Pandemic, SFEFD Response, Funding

On March 25th the Fire Board took several actions. First, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the fire board acted to enable the SFEFD to meet its increased public safety obligations, institute additional procedures to keep our firefighters and EMS personnel safe, and acquire the necessary supplies and equipment to address the COVID-19 Pandemic National Emergency as it confronts our communities.

Next, to support this effort we are hereby advising the residents of the SFE Fire District that we have withdrawn our much discussed and prior stated intent to freeze and rollover $17,000 in funding as a remedy for an error in the FY 2019/2020 budget calculations. This action not only is permitted but is directly in response to the National Emergency Declaration. Further the potential of this action was known and came with the oft stated forewarning that we would not proceed with this action ‘in the case of emergency or other unusual circumstances’ – that today being the COVID-19 Pandemic. In reality the “budget calculation error” has proven to be a most fortuitous albeit unintended benefit as it will now fulfill a critical life safety benefit to the communities.

Lastly, Fire Board approved the following directives –

1. The $17,000 in frozen funding is now released and specifically allocated for the Fire Chief to acquire appropriate supplies and equipment for the COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency,

2. The Fire Chief shall create appropriate COVID-19 procedures to keep our personnel safe and the communities protected,

3. The Fire Chief shall institute a public information campaign to keep our Fire District’s residents informed,

4. The Fire Chief shall identify and reach out to those residents of our Fire District considered the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic and institute an appropriate monitoring and assistance effort.

Official Mandates change the way SFEFD operates

On March 31st the Fire Board approved SFEFD Resolution 2020-2 which mandates the SFEFD follow Governor Doug Ducey Executive Orders 2020-18 and 2020-12 effective March 31, 2020 which is essence state –

Arizonans shall limit their time away from their place of residence or property, except

  • To conduct or participate in essential activities, and/or;
  • For employment, to volunteer or participate in essential functions.

The Executive order mandates –

The SFEFD via resolution 2020-2 shall limit gatherings to 10 persons or less – Page 1 per CDC and AZHS

The SFEFD via resolution 2020-2 shall institute a policy for social distancing (6’ separation) – Page 2 Section 1

The SFEFD shall continue to meet Page 4 Section 11 B “Essential Functions conducted by governmental entities shall remain open.”

On April 14th the Fire Board enacted the following procedure in regard to public meetings and the establishment of alternative methods to receive comments from the public.

Public Notice of Public Meeting Changes–

The Sherwood Forest Estates Fire Board, during this time of Nation Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Arizona Governor’s Executive Orders 2020-12 & 2020-18 effective March 31, 2020, is under official mandate to enact social distancing and restrict attendance at public meetings.

As a consequence, public attendance at all meetings is restricted to just 3 members of the general public, first come first serve at the door, no reservations.

In the interest of open government and to maximize public participation via alternative methods in the governance of the District the following procedure has been approved by the Fire Board.

The public may comment on any agenda item or topic via email. For the comment to be accepted the public is required to openly identify themselves by name and address. The email will be received as “Correspondence” and then read into the official SFEFD Fire Board meeting minutes during the “Public Comments” session. The Fire Board may, as appropriate, respond to the comment or direct Staff to do so. The Fire Boards’ / Staffs’ response, if any, will become part of the official SFEFD Fire Board meeting minutes available for public review via the SFEFD website. The public is requested to write in the Subject box “Public Comment for SFEFD Agenda Meeting date ______”. This process will remain in effect until the Arizona Governor’s Executive Orders 2020-12 & 2020-18, effective March 31, 2020, have been rescinded and that no other public gathering restrictions have subsequently been enacted and are concurrently in effect.

Comments may be submitted via SFEFDBoard@sherwoodforestestatesfiredistrict.com

For your Safety

Our Fire Department personnel have been provided personal protective equipment to deal with the potential for COVID-19 exposure when responding to emergency calls for service. The Fire Board and Fire Staff encourage everyone to shelter in place and follow the government guidelines for social distancing and hygiene. If at any time you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to visit the Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District Website for access to excellent information on the current status of the pandemic and self and family care.

Respectfully,

Bruce Speirs, Chair
Sue Hamilton, Treasurer
Pamela Weir, Secretary (pro tem)

Fire in SFE Fire District

News Release

Media Contact: Bob Blasi
(928) 635-5653
bob.blasi@usda.gov

Crews Respond to a 15 Acre Wildfire near Sherwood Forest Estates

WILLIAMS, Ariz., April 7, 2020 – Fire crews from the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, Sherwood Forest Estates, and Parks Bellemont Fire Departments responded to a wildfire late Tuesday afternoon south of Interstate 40 near the neighborhood of Sherwood Forest Estates east of Williams.


The Beacon Fire was discovered about 3:00 pm on Tuesday April 7, and was burning in grass and ponderosa pine. Several Local residents reacted quickly with tools and equipment to help slow the spread of the fire as responding units arrived on the scene. The fire was contained just after 5:00 pm at 15.6 acres in size. The fire burned on both private and National Forest land. The cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation at this time.

Additional Information can be found from the following sources:

·         InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6685/

·         Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

·         Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

·         Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 

New Fire Chief Sought

Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District

New Fire Chief Sought

Employment Opportunity

The Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District is announcing an employment opportunity for a Fire Chief to lead our volunteer fire district. Interested candidates may find application and further information at Sherwoodforestestatesfiredistrict.com. Applications will be accepted until February 29, 2020. Hiring interviews are set for the period of March 16 to March 27, 2020. Appointment is scheduled for April 1, 2020.

How and where do I turn the application in?

·        You may send it via US Mail to –
Pam Weir
SFEFD Fire Board  Secretary
877 S Appaloosa Trail
Williams, AZ 86046

·        Hand deliver it to any Fire Board member.

When is the last day to submit an application? – February 29, 2020

What’s is the position’s pay and benefits?  $2,000 month, take home Fire Chief’s vehicle, cellular phone expenses, disability insurance, FD Credit Card for defined expenses, on-going AFDA professional training.

What is the selection process? –  The SFEFD  Fire Board reserves the right to screen applications to determine who shall advance to the interview process on the basis of the qualifications, experience, and training as outlined in the submitted application.  The Fire Board may waive certain requirements as based on the candidate’s similar but comparable experience and training.  The interviews will be conducted by the SFEFD Fire Board and set for the period of March 16 to March 27, 2020.  The exact date will be determined by the availability of all applicants and the Fire Board to meet.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Pile Burns Producing Visible Smoke Around Greater Williams Area This Week

WILLIAMS, Ariz., Jan. 15, 2020 – Pile burning activity is occurring at multiple locations to the south and east of the City of Williams producing smoke that will be visible from various outlying locations around the greater Williams area. Burning is expected to continue through the remainder of this week as conditions allow.

Above average moisture levels accompanied by snow has presented model opportunities for crews on the Kaibab National Forest to continue implementing this type of fuels reduction work. Pile burns typically occur during the winter months when forest debris can be consumed safely with little to no control problems. This method is especially effective in steeper more difficult terrain when snow limits the potential for unwanted fire spread on the ground.

Crews will move between three locations this week from Garland Prairie to Bill Williams Mountain which will help minimize smoke impacts to specific areas and allow for quicker dispersion. Overnight ventilation is usually excellent with no residual smoke lingering by the following day. Piles typically burn rapidly and produce far less smoke for shorter durations than larger broadcast burns over the landscape.

The overall duration of these burns is influenced by diurnal weather conditions which determine the best days to burn effectively. Air quality will be monitored closely and actions will be taken as necessary to minimize the effects on adjacent residential areas.

All prescribed burns are subject to approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Members of the public may view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/

To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:

•          InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/ 

•          Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

•          Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

•          Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

•          Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311

U.S. Forest Service
Kaibab National Forest
800 S. 6th St.
Williams, AZ 86046
Voice: (928) 635-8200
Email: mailroom_r3_kaibab@fs.fed.us
Web: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

Media Contact: Bob Blasi
(928) 635-5653
bob.blasi@usda.gov

Interim Fire Chief / Transition of Command

Date: December 11, 2019
To: ALL MEMBERS of the SFEFD
From: Fire Board
Subject: Interim Fire Chief / Transition of Command

The Board of Directors of the Sherwood Forest Fire District has officially accepted the retirement of Wayne Marx as our Fire Chief effective June 30, 2020. A formal Transfer of Command ceremony will be performed at that time.

Additionally a public recognition and celebration of Wayne’s lengthy service period to our department and the community will be held.

To facilitate the command transition the Fire Board shall appoint an Interim Fire Chief in the near future. It is the duty and responsibility of all members of the SFEFD to ensure the Fire District maintains an effective fire, rescue, and EMS capability during this command transition period. The residents of our Fire District and the tax payers deserve no less. Therefore to facilitate a professional transfer of leadership you are directed to work with, assist, and fully cooperate with the Interim Fire Chief throughout this period.

Your individual supportive efforts during this period will not only enable ongoing improvements to our Fire Department but will serve as a public example of your personal professionalism, dedication to the fire service, and commitment to those residents of the communities we serve.

Signed,

Bruce Speirs, Chairman
Susan Hamilton, Secretary / Treasurer

SFEFD Tax Correction

Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District
450 Little John Road, Williams, AZ 86046-8579
Phone: (928)635-9837 Fax:(928)635-9618
Email: sherwoodfire@qwestoffice.net

To the Property Owners of the Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District,

We are writing to advise you of an error earlier this spring when the Sherwood Forest Estates Fire District (SFEFD) set the Fire District’s Fiscal Year (FY) funding request to Coconino County for this year’s upcoming property tax billing cycle.  This error has affected every property in both the Mountain Rose Ranch Estates and the Sherwood Forest Estates subdivisions to varying degrees.  In admittedly vary basic terms your tax contribution to the SFEFD for this fiscal year, which comprises only about 30% of your total property tax bill, was increased by about 18 cents on the dollar. 

The SFEFD funding request error increased the tax mill rate from our historical 2.88 to 3.25 which resulted in an approximate overage of $17,000 in total revenues collected.  Please note that this most inadvertent error only impacted the annual tax revenue contribution as generated by this specific fire district fund, identified on your tax billing as Jurisdiction 11249 FD SHERWOOD FOREST EST.  

To correct this error the Fire Board directed the Fire Chief to freeze $17,000 out of this FY’s budget.  Next, to provide the corrective reduction (the ‘pay back’ for the overage you paid), the Fire Department’s budget request for next FY’s will be based at the 2.88 mill rate AND the funding request will be further reduced by $17,000.  Finally the $17,000 now frozen will rollover to backfill next FY’s funding reduction/corrective action, thereby leveling out the budget.  Once again the funding of our SFEFD’s vital public safety missions will be determined and guided by our self-imposed 2.88 mill rate limitation.  This action will return balance to our historical budgeting requests as generally practical and barring unforeseen significant or unusual circumstances.   

Please note that the SFEFD remains as one of the very few fire districts historically charging less than the maximum tax rate permitted by law.

Respectfully,

Bruce Speirs, Chairman

Susan Hamilton, Secretary / Treasurer

Elk / Lee Prescribed Fire Project

Williams Ranger District to Begin Elk / Lee Prescribed Fire Project

Williams, Ariz., Oct 18, 2019—For Immediate Release. A new prescribed fire project is set to begin next week on the Williams Ranger District and will likely progress into the months ahead as opportunities arise to use fire for beneficial restoration treatments on this piece of the Kaibab National Forest. The Elk Lee Prescribed Fire project is located about 10 miles southeast of the City of Williams and is 8166 acres in size.
The project will be broken up into smaller units for daily operations to minimize heavy smoke impacts and allow ventilation to move smoke out of the vicinity more rapidly. The specific units to be ignited will be chosen based on fuel moistures and weather conditions that are within prescriptive levels that meet fuels reduction objectives.  A Helicopter will be utilized to conduct aerial Ignitions which will accelerate the overall length of time the project will last, and will also reduce the number of days smoke may linger in the atmosphere.

Officials understand that impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke more effectively using prescribed methods as opposed to an uncontrolled wildfire situation. To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.

The Kaibab National Forest is part of a fire-dependent ecosystem. Fire on the landscape is critical to overall ecosystem functioning and the sustainability of local communities, watersheds and wildlife habitat. Managers use prescribed fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic wildfires that can pose significant threats to public health and safety.

During operations, fire personnel and vehicles will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas. Hunters and campers are encouraged to seek alternative campsites away from the active fire vicinity while operations are occurring.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. (ADEQ) To view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website go to: smoke.azdeq.gov/

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:

•          InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/ 

•          Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

•          Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

•          Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

•          Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311

2019_Vicinity
Bob Blasi
Fire Information Officer
USDA Forest ServiceKaibab 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
Caring for the land and serving people

Helicopter Logging Begins on Bill Williams Mountain

Helicopter Logging Begins on Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project, Temporary Public Safety Area Closure Implemented

WILLIAMS, Ariz., Oct. 21, 2019 ­- The first stage of the 300 acre steep slope fuels reduction efforts on the Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project is underway on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. A helicopter will begin the technical work of hauling material off the mountain from the elevated areas that are inaccessible by ground or other conventional methods.

Sawyers from Markit! Forestry Management have been on the mountainside cutting and bundling woody material in preparation for the removal of hazardous fuels from the most difficult terrain on the highest slopes of the mountain. A long cable suspended below the helicopter is attached to the bundled material which is then flown to a lower site where processing and loading will take place before the material is eventually transported off the mountain by trucks. There will be a noticeable increase in traffic within city limits as hauling vehicles begin transporting material out of Williams.

Helicopters will be noticeable to residents and businesses in and around the City of Williams both audibly and visually. Aerial logging will be occurring seven days a week during daylight hours providing weather conditions are conducive for safe operations. 

Due to the hazardous nature of the technical work involving aircraft, a Temporary Area Closure Order (http://bit.ly/BillWmMtn-TempClosure) has been put in effect on a portion of Bill Williams Mountain. Forest users and members of the public are asked to avoid travelling through or entering into the closure area until the order is rescinded. Specific information about trails, roads and areas within the closure can be found by going to the link above.

Project managers are hopeful to complete this first stage of fuels removal by late December of this year. There are approximately 900 additional acres on the steep slopes that will be targeted for treatment as the next phases of this project move forward.

Officials from the National Forest Foundation (NFF), Coconino County, and the Kaibab National Forest have been working together to implement the restoration project. The NFF brought together funds from multiple contributors that include $1,800,000 from the Kaibab National Forest, $800,000 from Coconino County, private funds from the Sperling Foundation, and a state grant from the Arizona Department of Water Resources to provide better protection and long term sustainability of critical resources that are vital to the City of Williams. 

03-07-20-01-R Map

Additional Information can be found at the following sources:

Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 
Bill Williams Mountain Restoration Project: www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=34690
Coconino County Flood Control District: coconino.az.gov/1450/Flood-Control-District

Bob Blasi
Fire Information Officer
USDA Forest ServiceKaibab National Forest – Williams / Tusayan Ranger Districts
p: 928-635-5653
c: 928-606-7491
f: 928-635-5690
bob.blasi@usda.gov

Boulin Fire Final Update: 08/24/2019

Williams, Ariz., August 24, 2019—For Immediate Release. The 4039 acre Boulin Fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has exhibited no additional growth and is not expected to increase in size. This lightning caused fire was very successful in meeting the overall intent to reintroduce fire back into the ponderosa pine landscape for the purpose of restoring forest health, and ensuring long term sustainability.

With public and firefighter safety being the number one objective, Incident Commander Tyler Richwine was pleased to report there were no accidents or injuries, and there were no losses or damage to any resources or private property throughout the duration of this 18 day incident.

BOULIN FIRE OVERVIEW

Start Date: August 5, 2019.

Cause: Lightning.

Location: East of Spring Valley near The Beale Wagon Trail and forest roads 141, 713, and 730.

Current Size: 4039 acres.

Containment: 75%

Incident Commander: Tyler Richwine ICT4T.

Resources: One – Type 3 Engine, one-Patrol unit, and four-Miscellaneous overhead. Total personnel assigned is 10.

Current Status: The Boulin fire has reached its maximumgrowth potential at 4039 acres. There has been no movement on the perimeter and officials predict no additional acres will burn.

Firefighters will remain on scene for several more days as the burn area cools to ensure containment lines hold and to mitigate any hazards that may still exist. This will be the final update on the Boulin Fire unless conditions change.

Smoke: Some smoke may linger as fuels within the interior continue to consume however good ventilation will occur throughout the day with very little residual impacts to the surrounding area.

Bob Blasi 
Fire Information Officer
USDA Forest ServiceKaibab National Forest – Williams / Tusayan Ranger Districts
p: 928-635-5653 
c: 928-606-7491 
f: 928-635-5690 
bob.blasi@usda.gov


Historic Sites Protected on Boulin Fire

Williams, Ariz., August 21, 2019—For Immediate Release. Among the many benefits of allowing fire to move naturally on the landscape, the protection of cultural and historic sites remains one of the top priority objectives when managing wildfires. The Boulin Fire is no exception, and Kaibab National Forest archeologists were quick to engage taking actions to protect these sites which included two historic cabins located within the footprint of this fire.

“We know these cabins are vulnerable to deterioration being well over a century old” said Archeologist, Neil Weintraub. “Fire, like many forces of nature that can be destructive, can also be very helpful to use for their protection. With people in place, we can allow low intensity fire to consume accumulations of burnable debris that build up around these sensitive sites, removing the threat, and ultimately preserving our local history for the public to enjoy for generations to come”.

BOULIN FIRE OVERVIEW

Start Date: August 5, 2019.

Cause: Lightning.

Location: East of Spring Valley near The Beale Wagon Trail and forest roads 141, 713, and 730.

Current Size: 3784 acres.

Containment: 50%

Incident Commander: Nick Behrends ICT4 / Tyler Richwine ICT4T.

Resources: One-Type 2 Hand crew, one- Fuels crew, two-Type 6 Engines, two-Type 3 Engines, one-Patrol unit, one-Dozer, and eight- Miscellaneous overhead. Total personnel assigned is 50.

Current Status: The Boulin Fire is now 50% contained and nearing completion.Managers are expecting the fire to reach its full potential for growth at 4200 acres within the next two operational periods.

Heavy equipment traffic and residual smoke remain present at the fire site. Drivers in the area are reminded to be aware that personnel will be on scene for several days ensuring containment lines hold and to begin mop up and rehabilitation work.

Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible from communities surrounding this incident however a rapid decrease in production and volume can now be expected as the fire reaches its full potential with no further growth anticipated.
For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Additional information about the Boulin Fire, and the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

·         InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6511/

·         Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

·         Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

·         Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 

·         Fire Information Recorded Phone line: 928-635-8311

Cabin Foundation

Firefighters Protecting Historic Cabin Foundation

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 
Caring for the land and serving people