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in effect until the area covered by the restrictions receives significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded.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/

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:

• Website:www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
• Twitter:www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Arizona Fire Restrictions: firerestrictions.us/az/

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

Hi Everyone,

Greg and I are back after a week off celebrating our Nation’s birthday. Unfortunately, we have seen our numbers increase (see attached dashboard and graph). Fortunately, more people are beginning to understand the need to wear masks (see attached FAQs on masks and how they help). Wearing a mask is a tool to help us keep our economy going by allowing people to go out while reducing the spread of COVID-19 to other people.

Coconino County Health and Human Services in partnership with NAU have created a new COVID Aware Enhanced Food Handler’s Certification for the local food-service industry. Please see the attached press release and https://coconino.az.gov/2397/CCHHS-Enhanced-Food-Handlers-Cert for more information.

As I have noted before with limited testing and no vaccine, this is a challenging situation where patience, perseverance, kindness, and mutual respect are our guiding principles. Please help us help one another.

Testing continues to be available at Fort Tuthill County Park Monday through Friday from 10 am to 3pm. Please find attached a pre-testing assessment flyer to help assist with questions folks may have.  

Although some places received rain other did not and we are still in stage 2 fire restrictions.

Thank you for all of your help in getting this information out to our communities. Stay safe and well.

Matt Ryan

We, your POA Board hope all of you are having a safe summer and you are all staying well.  We have decided that with the increasing COVID-19 numbers increasing it would be the best interest of all for us to postpone several of our activities and events until September.  Those would include:  POA Annual Meeting, Community Yard Sale and the Chili Cook-off.  We were able to have 2 very successful events and I have noted those below.

Annual Neighborhood Cleanup:

June 13^th, we had our Annual Neighborhood Cleanup.  We started at 9 am and finished the morning off with a delicious pulled pork & chicken lunch hosted by Gary and Marilyn Taylor on Knighthood.  We had 18 volunteers’, with a total of 63 hours worked and a little over 100 lbs. of debris collected. Our hours will go toward our Firewise hours.  This helps with our ISO rating and also some insurance rates.

I would like to express my extreme gratitude to everyone who helped to make Sherwood Forest Estates look fantastic.  Masks and Social Distancing practiced. ~Kathie Krushinsky SFE POA, President and Neighborhood Cleanup Coordinator.

Please open this document to see pictures of all events:
SFE Summer Updates 2020

SFE POA Blood Drive

On June 20^th, the Sherwood Forest Estates Property Owners Association sponsored our first but not last Blood Drive.  On behalf of the Officers of the SFEPOA, thank you for your donation today:  We hope this is the first blood drive of many to come.  Thank you for your understanding as we worked through this during the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant changes and accommodations.  We plan to make this an annual event, and hope each of you will return to donate time and time again.  There are a lot of great reasons to donate.  Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood.  Every year nearly 5 million Americans depend on blood transfusions.

Bart, the owner of the Parks Feed and Mercantile generously donated the $10 gift certificates for each of our donors.  It is not good for cigarettes or alcoholic beverages!  Parks will have their second community blood drive on September 19^th from 8am to 1pm in the parking lot of the Parks Feed and Mercantile for anyone wanting information about future drives.

As we look forward to a SFEPOA sponsored Blood Drive in the summer of 2021, we would like any suggestions you might have.  Again, thank you for your generous donation and your time! ~Jeanna Roush SFE POA, Treasurer and Blood Drive Coordinator

From: Raymond, Chrystal  
Sent: Mon, 22 Jun 2020 18:11:08 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Thank You
Dear Jeanna,
Vitalant thanks you for organizing the recent blood drive at Sherwood Forest Estates POA. Your drive will help to assure that blood is available for patients in need.
In the current environment, when so many blood drives are being cancelled, please know we are especially grateful to you and your organization for keeping your blood drive open.  Even in these uncertain times, one thing remain constant, the need for blood by hospital patients.
Your efforts and the support of Sherwood Forest Estates POA are greatly appreciated and will go a long way toward assuring a strong blood supply, and ultimately saving lives.

Again, thank you for your contribution and ongoing support of the community blood program. I enjoyed working with you.
Sincerely,
Carina Fors
Donor Recruitment Representative
Vitalant

Moonset Pit (closed)  Alternative Site

Unfortunately, Moonset Pit green waste from 2019 was not burned.  We were only able to use that site one time before it was filled to capacity.  We’ve been given the use of the Alternative Waste Site off of Rt 66 and the gas pipeline rd.  We will be using this site for the remainder of the summer.  We have been sharing the volunteer manning of the site with Parks and it has been very successful and very well used by neighbors from near and far.   This site will be open July 11^th and 25^{th, August} 8^th and 22^nd, with September 5^th being the last open day.

Thank you too all of the many volunteers who have given their time to help keep this much needed service open and available for so many. ~Kathie Krushinsky, SFE POA President and Coordinator of Moonset Pit

Please stay safe and well.   We hope to see you all during the summer. 

Remember to try to keep the dust down on our roads and report to the Coconino Sheriff’s dispatch (928-774-4523) any speeders or stop sign runners.

Thank you,
Kathie Krushinsky, SFE POA President

Information from Marc F. Della Rocca, Community Relations Manager, Coconino County Public Works

Dear Ms. Krushinsky,

Last month, Gregory Nelson from Supervisor Matt Ryan’s office asked that I contact you regarding recent concerns over speeding and dust in Sherwood Forest Estates. I apologize for not being able to do so you sooner; however, it took more time than usual to research your questions and suggestions due to being sequestered away from the office and our team for COVID-19 social distancing. In any case, I thank you for your patience and hope that I can provide some information for you regarding these issues.

 Speed + Dust = Springtime Issue #1

Not surprisingly, speeding and dust are the primary spring-season concerns of County residents who live on unpaved roads. I’m sure that you can imagine why…dry, windy conditions, coupled with a significant influx of second homeowners and visitors, dramatically increase seasonal dust in County neighborhoods each spring. The challenge of mitigating this dust and the speeding that causes it dust is compounded by several factors:

Law Enforcement is Key

First of these factors is that the only effective way to mitigate speeding is through law enforcement. As speeding is ultimately a safety issue, citations from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies provide a costly reminder to those who would otherwise speed through County neighborhoods. 

Limitations of Signage

County signage is important. Without CCSO enforcement, however, signs are essentially just reminders to follow a given speed limit, the effectiveness of which relies on the honor system of motorists and riders. Irrespective of this fact, we still receive regular requests from residents to increase the number of speed limit signs (or add other types of speed and dust mitigation signs) on County roads where speeding occurs.

To this end, it is equally important to understand that County sign placement is not an arbitrary practice but, instead, a data-driven process that is governed by federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidelines. The need for/number of a given sign, along with its design, content, reflectivity and placement, is determined by MUTCD criteria (a.k.a. “warrants”) that are used to consider a variety of factors such as a road’s Average Daily Trip (ADT) count, line-of-sight considerations and accident data.

This protocol, of course, includes speed limit signs. FYI, I researched but could not find any MUTCD-approved specialty signs for dust control; if they do exist, however, then they also would be governed by this protocol.    

Speed Limit Reductions

The same warrant criteria of signage also would apply to the process required to lower  speed limits in the hopes of mitigating dust in Sherwood Forest Estates. Please note that only the County Engineer can change a given speed limit, and then only pursuant to a comprehensive traffic study that looks at a wide variety of empirical criteria as described above. Ironically, these studies can, in some cases, recommend that the speed limit on a given road be raised rather than lowered based on accident and ADT data.

Regarding speed limits, please note that, in Arizona, the speed limit for residential roads is set at 25 mph irrespective of whether (speed limit) signage is present. With this in mind, I researched the speeds and accident data within Sherwood Forest Subdivision. Please note that, throughout the entire Sherwood Forest subdivision, there have only been three (3) reported accidents since 2005: on Knighthood Lane (cause: animal / deer strike); on Long Bow Drive (cause: snow & ice) and in 2016 on Friar Tuck Trail in 2017 (cause: driver ran a stop sign into the adjacent ditch). With regards to driving speeds, please note that the 85th percentile speed (or the average speed that 85 percent of drivers are going) recorded during this traffic count did not exceed 27 miles per hour on any of these roads, which is well within acceptable tolerances.

Proliferation of Off-Road Vehicles

Of all challenges associated with speeding and fugitive dust, none comes close to the explosive popularity of Off-Road Vehicles (ORV’s) in County communities. Easy to operate and designed to go fast, ORV’s like Razors and Side-by-Sides have become “standard issue” equipment for both full- and part-time residents over the past few years. ORV’s generate an inordinate amount of dust, which is one reason that complaints about dust have increased so dramatically over the last few years compared to the time when a comparatively small number of Jeeps and dirt bikes were the only vehicles used for off-road travel. 

Finally, it is important to understand that the County cannot afford to provide dust suppression on the more than 700 miles of dirt roads in its inventory. Even if this were possible, it is doubtful that it would be even marginally effective against the dust generated by ORV’s, which also cause significant wear and tear on the roads we maintain.  Still, some residents do provide their own dust suppression by forming Special Maintenance Districts.  Provided by Arizona statute (https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=48 ), special maintenance districts are self-taxing districts created by citizens to accomplish a specific goal (dust suppression, snow removal etc.) using assessments from properties within the specified boundaries of the District. If you are interested in a brochure to learn more about this process, then please let me know.

In closing, I would encourage you to continue contacting CCSO at 928-774-4523 to report speeding in your neighborhood as it is important to have an official record of all incidents. While maintaining that additional County signage and/or a speed limit change will do little to dissuade those would otherwise be inclined to speed on residential roads, you might still want to try placing a sign (“Slow Down”, etc.) on the private, roadside portion of your property to help in this effort. Please note that no sign or other object can be placed in County right-of-way without first securing an encroachment permit.

I hope that this information is of interest. Thanks for your time, and I hope that this email finds you well,

Marc

Marc F. Della Rocca
Community Relations Manager
Coconino County Public Works

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

WILLIAMS, Ariz., June 9, 2020 — The Coconino and Kaibab national forests of northern Arizona will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions across both forests at 8 a.m. June 13 due to increasing fire danger and the need to prevent human-caused wildfires during potentially dangerous fire conditions.

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 the post-wildfire flooding that would result.

The Stage 2 fire restrictions will prohibit the following:

1. Fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves.
2. Smoking, 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.
3. Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
4. Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Visitors may use devices that are solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned immediately on and off with no remaining burning material. Fireworks and explosives, including exploding targets, are never allowed on national forests.

The Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest previously implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions June 3. The expansion of the restrictions across the entire Coconino National Forest as well as the Kaibab National Forest is necessary to reduce the risk of wildfire in order to preserve public health and safety.

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 public should be aware that fire restrictions often exist on non-federal land, such as city, county and state. For information about fire restrictions across the entire state, visit https://firerestrictions.us/az/.

Stage 2 fire restrictions will remain in effect until significant precipitation reduces fire danger levels. Violation of the restrictions on national forests is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment up to six months, or both. 

For information about the Bill Williams Mountain watershed closure on the Kaibab National Forest and a detailed map of the closure area, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab.

From: