Author: annedudley1

 Rafael Fire Morning Update – June 29, 2021

The next scheduled virtual community meeting will be Wednesday, June 30 at 6 p.m. on the Incident Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RafaelFireInfo/

Acres: 78,708
Percent Containment: 59%
Date/Time Detected: Friday, 06/18/2021 at 1927 MST
Structures Damaged/Destroyed:  0
Number of Personnel: 596
Cause: Lightning
Origin/Location: 4 miles north of Perkinsville
 

No smoke is being detected on any air quality monitors this morning. Tonight, what smoke is present may settle into the Chino and Verde Valleys.  Smoke forecasts are available at Wildfire Smoke Forecast | ADEQ Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (azdeq.gov)and https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/NorthCentralArizona.

Today, crews will continue to patrol and mop up to secure the fire perimeter. Firefighters will begin to chip woody debris that was created during line preparation activities and either remove the chips or spread it on the ground. Smoke from burning interior fuels will continue to be visible for a few days. On the south side of the fire the remaining structure protection crew will be released. Thunderstorms and possible rain are predicted for this afternoon. Firefighters around the fire are prepared to take suppression action on any new ignitions resulting from lightning strikes. The process of demobilizing Crews and equipment will continue.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) were used for multiple operations on the Rafael Fire.  These operations are coordinated with other aerial operations within the Temporary Flight Restriction for the Rafael Fire to keep all operations safe.  Wildfires are no place for recreational drones—they put firefighters and aircraft personnel at risk and will shut down aircraft operations, hampering firefighting as well as firefighter safety.  Remember if you fly, we can’t.
 

Evacuation status as of 6 a.m. June 29 (Notifications are in place until status is rescinded or changed by each respective County Sheriff’s Office):
   “GO” in Coconino County Sycamore    Canyon

“SET” in Yavapai County, Loy Ranch

“READY” in Coconino County, Garland Prairie South and Garland Prairie North, South of Williams, Sherwood Forest, Camp Navajo, West of I-17 south of 1-40, Westwood Estates, Flagstaff Ranch (including W.L. Gore), Mountain Dell, Pine Del, Forest Highlands, Kachina Village, University Heights, Equestrian Estates, Upper Oak Creek Canyon, West Fork, Lower Oak Creek Canyon, and in Yavapai County, Grey Ranch, Windmill Ranch, Bear Mountain and Sedona.

Information about evacuation status can be found on the Coconino County Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/CoconinoCountyand at the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff/Maps of evacuation status in Coconino County can be found at: CoconinoCounty Situational Awareness Viewer (arcgis.com)

It’s fire season in Northern Arizona. Residents in Northern Arizona should be Ready.  https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Full forest closures are in effect on the Kaibab National Forest, Coconino National Forest, and Prescott National Forest   Coconino National Forest – Alerts & Notices (usda.gov) Kaibab National Forest – Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)and Prescott National Forest – Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)

All Arizona State Trust lands are closed effective Friday, June 25 at 8:00 a.m. Fire Restrictions and Closures Across Arizona | Department of Forestry and Fire Management (az.gov)

Downloads:

Rafael Fire Morning Update –June 28, 2021  from the Southwest Area Incident Management Team. 

For information on evacuation status, and fire activity, there will be a virtual community meeting today at 6 p.m. on the Incident Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RafaelFireInfo/.

Acres: 77,102 
Percent Containment: 48% 
Date/Time Detected:Friday, 06/18/2021 at 1927 MST 
Structures Damaged/Destroyed:  0
Number of Personnel: 633 
Cause: Lightning 
Origin/Location: 4 miles north of Perkinsville 

Today on the north side of the fire, crews will be heavily engaged in securing the fire by patrol and mop up activities.  All perimeter firing operations are substantially complete, but smoke from burning interior fuels will continue for a few days. Today smoke is expected in the Verde Valley into Prescott and as winds shift later in the day into the Williams area.  Heavy smoke may settle into canyon bottoms and low elevation communities in the Verde Valley over the next few nights. Smoke forecasts are available at Wildfire Smoke Forecast | ADEQArizona Department of Environmental Quality(azdeq.gov) .   

On the south side of the fire, aircraft will monitor the perimeter to determine if suppression action is necessary and structure protection specialists will continue monitoring values at risk to prevent damage. Firefighters are prepared for initial attack over the next few days as the probability of thunderstorms and lightning increases. As containment increases some crews and equipment are no longer needed, and will be released for reassignment or rest and recuperation. 

Evacuation status as of 6 a.m. June 28 
(Notifications are in place until status is rescinded or changed by each respective County Sheriff’s Office): 

“GO” in Coconino County Sycamore Canyon and in Yavapai County, Loy Ranch.  

“SET” – in Coconino County, Garland Prairie South and Garland Prairie North. In Yavapai County, Grey Ranch, Windmill Ranch and BearMountain. 

“READY” -– in Coconino County, South of Williams, Sherwood Forest, Camp Navajo, West of I-17 south of 1-40, Westwood Estates, Flagstaff Ranch (including W.L. Gore), Mountain Dell, Pine Del, Forest Highlands, Kachina Village, University Heights, Equestrian Estates, Upper Oak Creek Canyon, West Fork, Lower Oak Creek Canyon, and in Yavapai County, Sedona. 

Information about evacuation status can be found on the Coconino County Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/CoconinoCounty and at the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff/  Maps of evacuation status in Coconino County can be found at: Coconino County Situational Awareness Viewer (arcgis.com) 

It’s fire season in Northern Arizona. Residents in Northern Arizona should be Ready.  https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go 

Full forest closures are in effect on the Kaibab National Forest, Coconino National Forest, and Prescott National Forest   Coconino National Forest – Alerts &Notices (usda.gov)    Kaibab NationalForest – Alerts& Notices (usda.gov).  

and Prescott National Forest – Alerts & Notices (usda.gov) 

All Arizona State Trust lands are closed effective Friday, June 25 at 8:00 a.m. Fire Restrictions and Closures Across Arizona | Department of Forestry and Fire Management (az.gov) 

from Chief Moede

Remain in READY Status

Currently at 62,876 acres
11% contained
664 personnel assigned to the incident
Firing operations near JD Dam Lake and White Horse Lake
Weather is going to change. 
Starting Tuesday – Friday chance of precipitation percentages are T40%/W35%/Th50%/F40%
Possible Thunderstorms with cooling temps and possible lightening, possible 35 mph wind gusts from the east.
Anticipate possible high impact of smoke (from the back fires).
Wind described as 360 degrees

Coconino County EOC Wildfire Response Evening Recap | 6.26.2021

 www.coconino.az.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2463

Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) activated an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in response to the fires impacting Coconino County. Below is a summation of activities:

 Rafael Fire Information:
Acres: 53,663
Percent Containment: 11%
Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 0
Number of Personnel: 664
Cause: Lightning
Origin/Location: 4 miles north of Perkinsville

Smoke forecasts are available at Wildfire Smoke Forecast. For additional Rafael Fire information please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7567.

Weather: Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected into the evening. Thunderstorm chances increase in far eastern Arizona on Sunday before an increase in thunderstorm activity across  northern Arizona throughout much of next week.

Community Information: South Garland Prairie “GO” Order Downgraded to “SET.” More can be found here: https://coconino.az.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2466

Community Meeting – There is a live virtual community meeting each evening at 6:00 p.m. covering the Rafael Fire, hosted by Type 1 Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2, which can be watched here https://www.facebook.com/RafaelFireInfo. Several presenters will provide the latest information on fire activity, evacuations, and closures. This event is also being transcribed, and a live Streamtext feed will be available at the following link: https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=RAFAEL

Members of the Type 1 team managing the Rafael Fire will be stationed in various locations throughout Flagstaff and its surrounding areas, including the Downtown Visitors Center, Heritage Square, and the Sunday and Wednesday Community Markets. Public information officers will be there with display boards with maps to share information about the fire and answer your questions.

Fire Restrictions: Coconino County, the city of Flagstaff, and the Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott National Forests are all in the highest stage of Fire Restrictions. For more information on The County enacted Stage 3 Fire Restrictions on June 23. https://coconino.az.gov/2733/2021-Fire-Information.

 Sheltering: American Red Cross (ARC) activated a shelter to support those who have been evacuated due to the fire. ARC Shelter is located at Sinagua Middle School, 3950 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86004.
Many people in Flagstaff and the surrounding areas are displaced due to the National Forest closures. There are sheltering resources available to them through our partners. The primary shelter is Flagstaff Shelter Services. If you are displaced due to the Forest closures, then please contact them at 928-225-2533.
If you are displaced due to the National Forest closures and wish to stay in your RV or car, Flagstaff Sheltering Services (FSS) can help. FSS will allow you to park your vehicle and remain in it. FSS is open 24/7, and has bathrooms, showers, and food available. Please go to FSS at 4185 E Huntington Drive, Flagstaff or call 928-225-2533.

Resources: A Call Center is available to answer questions. The Call Center received 35 calls today, 685 calls since opening Monday, June 21. Residents may call 928.679.8647 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Sign up for Emergency Notifications at https://www.smart911.com/smart911/registration/registrationLanding.action?cdnExternalPath=

Updated fire information is available at https://coconino.az.gov/2733/2021-Fire-Information .

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Kaibab NF News Release

Williams, Arizona, June 21, 2021 — FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., June 21, 2021 — Due to fire danger, dry conditions, and persistent wildfire activity during a time when firefighting resources are sparse, the entirety of the Kaibab National Forest will close for public safety, beginning Wednesday (June 23) at 8 a.m.

A full forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of the Kaibab National Forest at any time. Those with private inholdings will be allowed access to their property, as well as personnel providing utility support where necessary, and firefighters performing their duties. In addition, work on thinning and other forest and watershed restoration projects will cease.

Forest Service personnel will attempt to reach as many people as possible to begin vacating campsites and informing individuals who are camping in the forest currently. Campers and visitors to the national forest should vacate their campsites before the closure begins, and the public should cancel any plans for visiting the Kaibab National Forest for the next several weeks.

Though parts of the national forest may receive rain from sporadic storms over the next couple of weeks, this closure will not be rescinded until sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the risk of wildfire, and hot, dry weather conditions are no longer forecast to continue. In short, this closure will continue until conditions are such that the closure can be lifted.

The violation of closures and fire restrictions carries a mandatory appearance in federal court, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months in prison, or both.

Stay up to date on Kaibab National Forest news by checking the Kaibab NF website and following @KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter.

~Forest Service News Release

Media Contact:
Brienne Pettit, Forest Public Affairs Officer 928-310-6035 SM.FS.KaibabPAO@usda.gov

The Rafael Fire south of Sherwood is threatening many communities adjacent to Sherwood Forest Estates and Mountain Rose Ranch Estates. Please be sure that you have signed up for Ready, Set Go! to get alerts.

Updates from Coconino County

The most recent notifications are at the top.

Due to the Rafael Fire, all areas south of 1-40, west of I-17, including Westwood Estates, Camp Navajo, Equestrian Estates, Flagstaff Ranch, Upper Oak Creek Canyon west of 89, University Heights, Mountain Dell, Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, Pine Del, Woody Mountain Road south of I-40, Garland Prairie and Pine Aire Estates and residents in between are in SET status. Begin preparing for possible GO order to EVACUATE. THIS IS NOT AN EVACUATION NOTIFICATION.

Click here for an accompanying map: https://bit.ly/3wLBaZ5.

Details about the Rafael fire can be found at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7567/

Ready, Set, Go! reminds us that when it is time to Go! here are some items to remember to pack:

5 P’s of Evacuation

People and Pets and other animals/livestock and supplies.

Prescriptions with dosages, medicines, medical equipment, vision and hearing aids, batteries and power cords, face coverings, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. 

Papers including important documents (hard copies and/or electronic copies saved on external hard drives or thumb drives), insurance papers, contacts.

Personal Needs including clothing, water, baby supplies, food, cash, credit cards, first aid kits, phones, and chargers. Items for people with access and/or functional needs, such as older adults and children.

Priceless items including photos, irreplaceable mementos and other valuables.

Other Links

Chief Moede reports that the smoke in the area is from a fire in the Prescott Forest. You can get current information about fires at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/. Type in Arizona in the search box.

Two national forests in northern Arizona will move to Stage 2 fire restrictions this weekend because of increased danger.

The Coconino and Kaibab national forests will implement the restriction at 8 a.m. on Saturday in hopes of preventing human-caused wildfires during potentially dangerous conditions.

Increased restrictions include the prohibition of fires, campfires, charcoal, and coal and wood stoves.

Full story here: https://ktar.com/story/3261144/stage-2-fire-restrictions-to-expand-across-coconino-kaibab-forests/

CHIEF’S REPORT MAY 18, 2021

Activity:         

• Incidents since last Board Meeting:
  • 5/14/2021 – Person Down, Parks Road
• Region Covid report
  • County and Williams area
• Supply of protective equipment still strong

Equipment:    

• Apparatus Update
  • Enigne 1 (In Service) protection lines upgraded and SCBA’s added
  • Engine 2 (Out of Service) classified as Reserve, does not start (Jan 23)
  • Tender 4 (In Service) Pending PM and foam system detached for test/clean, heater repair and leak from fill tube
  • Tender 5 (In Service) PM completed and valve failure repaired
  • Brush 6 (In Service) Fire pump and motor repaired and functioning minor carb work still needed
  • Tender 8 (In Service) Air lines and brake work completed
  • Brush 11 (In Service) Radio installed, frequency work pending
  • Ford Excursion (In Service) Niles quote still pending for radio system. Brakes next
  • Trailer 10 – At Wicked for pipe work

• Station
  • NEPA Permit progressing, No additional update
  • Niles quote still pending for Service Call to base station radio
  • Apron Project – Payment submitted
  • Third emergency egress process continuing
  • Annexation of State Land process continues
  • Office Painting Project, painting quote pending
  • VFG Grant process complete pending invoice from PHX
  • Air Bottles (4 packs tested = $880.00)
  • Repeater Update

Training:         Bi-monthly trainings continue. May 1 training included 9 members and consisted of fire scenerio (3.5 hours).  May 19 CPR training. Next month training June 5 (9 am) and June 16 (6 PM).

District Notes:

• Fire danger is High. County enacted Level 1 Fire Restrictions effective May 14^th.
• SFEFD Wildfire Preparedness program (Ready Set Go, CC EM Emergency Notification,Fire Extinguisher training and evac procedures).
• State Fire follow up includes Annex proposal and Shaded Fuel Break on State Land.
• Wood Subdivision follow up (Board Meeting May 13)
• Williams Fourth of July
• Potential new members
• Area collaboration with HCFR, WMS, Ponderosa, CCSO, and Forest Service continues

Respectfully Submitted:
John D. Moede
Fire Chief