Two Sherwood Firefighters, Randy Rask and Matt McDowell, spent 9/11/23 climbing stairs at NAU in full gear. Thanks for your service!

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

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.

Recreational shooting is allowed as long as it follows the target shooting regulations.

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 City of Flagstaff and Coconino County plan on implementing fire restrictions this week as well.

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.

Click HERE to sign up for Coconino County Emergency Notifications and alerts.

To update your account preferences, or unsubscribe from all alerts and notifications, please click HERE.

Click HERE for information on evacuation zones and mapping.

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.

Brought to you by the Kaibab National Forest and the communities of Parks and Sherwood Forest Estates.

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.

Fire Chief John Moede

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

The next meeting will be February 21,2023 at 5:00 pm.

If you have any questions, please give me a call.

Thank you,

Steve Diefenderfer

SFEFD Chair

Activity:         

• Incidents since last Board Meeting:
  • 11/19/22 – Medical/XX S. Friar Tuck
  • 11/23/22- Tree Down/7399 Knighthood
  • 11/24/22- Tree Down/7777 Long Bow
  • 12/07/22- Medical/XX Jolly Rogue
  • 12/11/22- Structure Fire/3736 Scenic Loop
  • 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

Respectfully Submitted:

John D. Moede, Fire Chief

Activity:         

• Incidents since last Board Meeting:
  • No incidents
• Region Covid report
  • 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)
• NOAA Weather Prediction Meeting
• FCC reconciliation process ongoing
• Firewise update submitted, 2023 process
• PFAC meeting Nov 9 (Sherwood rotation)
• Medical training Nov 11 meeting (HCFR)
• Continuity book development continues
• New vehicle search continues
• Station Power outage November 13/14
• PROP 310 has failed

Respectfully Submitted:

John D. Moede, Fire Chief

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 3^rd 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.

Please help us support our fire department.