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.
The majority of the Kaibab has received enough rain in the last month to increase live fuel moisture levels that, combined with the recent cooler temperatures, the risk of severe fire behavior has been reduced.
However, the persistent drought means fire danger is still very high, and the forecast calls for warm and dry weather with isolated thunderstorms bringing dry lightning. The public is reminded to remain vigilant while visiting the National Forest – abide by the restrictions and closures and refrain from any behavior that may accidentally start a wildfire. Drivers should avoid dragging chains and driving vehicles over dry vegetation. Stay informed of forest conditions before and during your visit.
Stage II Fire Restrictions
Under Stage II restrictions, fires (including charcoal and briquettes) are prohibited on all National Forest lands. Smoking is also prohibited forest-wide except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.
The following acts are prohibited from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine; using an explosive; blasting, welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
Stoves or grills that are solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels are allowable. Generators with approved spark arresting devices are also permitted in areas that are barren or cleared of any flammable material at least 3 feet around the generator.
Bill Williams Mountain Closure Area
The Bill Williams Mountain Closure consists of all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the area bordered by County Road (CR) 73, Old Route 66, Forest Road (FR) 122, FR 108 and, Interstate 40, as depicted in Exhibit A of Order Number 03-07-21-13. This includes the following trails: Bill Williams Trail, Clover Spring Trail, City of Williams Link Trail, Bixler Saddle Trail, Benham Trail, and Devil Dog Mountain Bike Loop.
Raphael Fire Closure
For public safety, an area closure is in effect for the Raphael Fire in and around Sycamore Canyon. On the Kaibab National Forest, the closure area is generally bordered by Forest Roads 125, 105, 12, 109, and 13 as depicted in Order Number 03-09-00-21-281. Included in the closure area are the following popular locations: JD Dam, Yew Thicket Trailhead (TH), Deadman TH, Pomeroy Tanks TH, Sycamore Falls TH, Sycamore Rim TH’s, Canyon Overlook Trail (#70), Sycamore Rim Trail (#45), portions of the Overland Road Historic Trail (#133), and roads to Sycamore Point. Roads bordering the closure area are open. White Horse Lake and Campground are also open. The public should refer to the Coconino and Prescott National Forests for their Raphael Fire closures.
All Kaibab National Forest Orders can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/kaibab/alerts-notices. Additional information about the Kaibab National Forest is available through the Fire Information Hotline, 928-635-8311 , or by following @KaibabNF on Twitter and Facebook.
Brienne Pettit Public Affairs Officer Forest Service Kaibab National Forest c: 928-310-6035 brienne.pettit@usda.gov 800 S. 6th St. Williams, AZ 86046 www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab Caring for the land and serving people
Fire Restrictions to be Lifted Tuesday on Entire Kaibab National Forest
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
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:
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.
Additional Information can be found at the following sources:
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:
· Fire Information Recorded Phone line: 928-635-8311
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
Williams, Ariz., August 18, 2019—For Immediate Release. Fire is steadily moving across the forested landscape within the Boulin Fire planning area achieving incident objectives. The results have been effective in reducing accumulations of burnable debris and fuels from the forest floor, protecting valued resources at risk, and strengthening defensible space near residential communities.
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: 2423 acres.
Containment: 20%
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 2423 acre Boulin Fire has been expanding an average of about 400 acres per day. Fire has now carried through over half of the planning area and is moving toward the southwest containment line. The consistent warm dry weather that has been over the area for the past 10 days is forecasted to continue which will likely align with the pattern of growth that has been occurring this week.
Road maintenance will be ongoing on several roads at the fire location. Increased traffic activity will be noticeable in the vicinity. Graders and large water trucks will be present. Motorists are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through active fire areas.
Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible from Highway 64, Highway 180, and many communities Including Williams, Pittman Valley, Garland Prairie, Spring Valley, Parks, Red Lake, Junipine Estates, Pumpkin Center, Bellemont, Fort Valley, and Flagstaff. 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:
· Fire Information Recorded Phone line: 928-635-8311
Bob Blasi Fire Information OfficerUSDA Forest ServiceKaibab National Forest – Williams / Tusayan Ranger Districtsp: 928-635-5653 c: 928-606-7491 f: 928-635-5690 bob.blasi@usda.gov742 S Clover Rd Williams, AZ 86046 www.fs.fed.us Caring for the land and serving people
