
Click below for the latest news updates from the:
Office of U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the areas of Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, and Pine Del will be downgraded from “SET” (Pre-evacuation) to “READY” status. The zones for these areas are 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, and 99.
While conditions have improved to allow this adjustment, residents will continue to see smoke and fire activity for the foreseeable future.
The decision to downgrade to “SET” status was made in conjunction with the Forest Service’s Critical Incident Management Team. While conditions have improved to allow this adjustment, residents will continue to see smoke and fire activity for the foreseeable future

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, July, 2, 2026. The Council meets the first Thursday of the month.
Our meetings provide our coalition partners with the opportunity to share the latest news about their projects that support children, youth and their families in Northern Arizona.
Want to be a guest speaker at our next meeting? Send an email to CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie at coalition@coconinokids.org to be placed on the agenda or to receive a Zoom link to our next meeting.
READ MORE

COCONINO COUNTY — After consultation with the United States Forest Service (USFS), areas of Coconino County within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest will move to Stage 2 fire restrictions effective Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 8 a.m.
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest remains in Stage 2 and all other areas of the County will remain in Stage 1 fire restrictions.
This decision, according to Coconino County’s Wildfire Defense Ordinance, applies to all private property within, and adjacent to, the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest.

Coconino County has activated a Call Center for the Pocket Fire. If you have questions about the fire, shelters or evacuation stages please call 928-679-8525.
If you need information about the APS Public Safety Power Shutoff, call 800-253-9405. — Coconino County
***
06-29-26 Latest update on Pocket Fire: Highlights: Despite Red Flag conditions, firefighters held fire growth to a minimum. Ground crews and aircraft were employed to expand and reinforce contingency lines at strategic locations around the fire — USDA
(Also check:
Inciweb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azcof-pocket-fire
Watch Duty: https://app.watchduty.org/

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz – The City of Flagstaff has been informed that unless there is substantial improvement in weather predictions, Arizona Public Service (APS) will initiate a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in parts of the Flagstaff area Saturday, June 27 as early as 10 a.m. Some areas in Flagstaff will lose power during this PSPS event. Customers who are impacted have been directly notified by APS.
The following resources are available for impacted residents:

Arizona Public Service (APS) has announced the potential for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) due to forecasted critical fire weather conditions. While no outage has been confirmed at this time, Grand Canyon National Park and APS are providing community resources to help residents prepare should a PSPS be implemented.
As conditions change, we will send more alerts and information on updated resources.

GRAND CANYON, AZ: Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 2 Fire Restrictions for the South Rim and Inner Canyon beginning June 26, 12:00 PM due to forecasted critical fire weather conditions.
The North Rim remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions that took effect on May 15, 2026, at the start of the summer operating season following the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire. Those restrictions remain unchanged.
With this action, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will be in effect throughout Grand Canyon National Park.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff has been informed that Arizona Public Service (APS) may initiate a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in parts of the Flagstaff area Saturday, June 27 as early as 9 a.m. Some areas on the east side of Flagstaff may lose power during this PSPS event. Customers who are impacted have been directly notified by APS. If your home is impacted, you should begin preparing for 12-24 hours without power.

COCONINO COUNTY — After consultation with the United States Forest Service (USFS), areas of Coconino County within the boundaries of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest will move to Stage 2 fire restrictions effective Friday, June 26, 2026, at 8 a.m. All other areas of the County will remain in Stage 1 fire restrictions.

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
COCONINO COUNTY — With the Summer vacation season here, this is good time to take a deep breath, take care of yourself and find some ways to ease the stress for your children.
To help, Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth wants to remind everyone that we have a variety of free webinar training programs on our website.
Want to take a moment to take care of yourself? Visit our free Mindfulness (for adults) one-hour webinar.
Your child may also benefit from our free Mindfulness for Youth 45-minute webinar
READ MORE

Making a difference on the job
Four NAU undergrads were selected for prestigious 10-week internships at the Barrow Neurological Institute, where they’ll work alongside neurological disorder, speech pathology and occupational therapy professionals in real-world medical settings. Learn more about how Mandi Bluth, Noah Verdugo, Stefan Muñoz and Wyatt Peterson landed their coveted spots at Barrow and what they’re up to at the institute this summer.

We had an amazing turnout at the grand opening of our 9th clinic in AZ! We want to thank the Peoria Chamber of Commerce for a warm welcome, as well as everyone who attended the festivities. We look forward to building strong partnerships in the community and continuing to expand access to integrated care across the state.

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County will expand fire restrictions in coordination with the Kaibab National Forest. Stage 1 restrictions will take effect on Thursday, June 11, at 8 a.m. for all unincorporated areas within the boundaries of the Kaibab National Forest. All other areas of the County will remain in Stage 1 fire restrictions.
During Stage 1 restrictions igniting, building, maintaining or using a fire fueled by combustible materials such as wood, charcoal, briquettes and/or coal is strictly prohibited, except within a developed site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or a developed site. The use of tracer or incendiary rounds of ammunition or explosive targets is also strictly prohibited.

FLAGSTAFF — Firefighters are responding to the lightning-caused Mundy Fire, located in remote terrain about 5 miles south of Sedona.
Resources responding to the roughly quarter-acre incident include a helicopter, two engines and miscellaneous overhead.
Firefighters are responding to the Mundy Fire with a direct extinguishment strategy, and a goal of confining the Mundy Fire to as small a perimeter as possible as quickly as possible.

FREDONIA — Due to increased fire danger and for public safety, the Kaibab National Forest will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions on the North Kaibab Ranger District beginning 6 a.m. Thursday, June 18.
Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the following:
Building, maintaining, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal, coal, and briquettes, even in developed recreation sites. This includes smudge pots, pellet grills, and wood stoves. The only exception is using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.

As part of Grand Canyon National Park’s Conservation K-9 Pilot Project, wildlife staff are asking employees and residents to report any elk observed within designated wildlife exclusion zones.
The five designated exclusion zones are:
El Tovar Complex
Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Maswik Lodge
Mather Campground Services Area
Grand Canyon School

Can you find the paradine plains cactus in the above photo? Don’t feel bad if not—it’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but it plays an important role in the Four Corners region’s ecosystem. In the wake of the White Sage Fire, NAU ecologist Clare Aslan is measuring the succulent’s resilience over a three-year period. Her findings could help ecologists and policymakers everywhere understand when to do boots-on-the-ground restoration work and when to let nature recover on its own.

During this closure, extensive vehicle and pedestrian detour routes will be in place (as shown in the maps below). Please follow the marked signage to get to your destination. We recommend seeking an alternate route to bypass the closure and give yourself extra time to commute. We appreciate your support, patience and understanding while we work to improve our City’s infrastructure. For questions and additional project information, call the project hotline at (928) 255-5153.

The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), also called the annual drinking water quality report, is a document that community water systems are required to deliver to their customers each year under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It summarizes the quality of the water delivered over the previous calendar year, including the source of the water, the levels of any detected contaminants compared to federal standards, and any violations that occurred.
The report gives consumers clear, accessible information about what is in their tap water and how it measures up to EPA safety standards, so you can make informed decisions and understand any potential risks. It also holds water systems accountable by putting monitoring results and compliance status in front of the people they serve.

FLAGSTAFF — On July 1, the City of Flagstaff will be transitioning from the residential curbside glass collection program to a drop-off model. Six drop-off locations are now available City-wide for residents to deposit glass products to be recycled. This change is being implemented to optimize collection operations and improve operational efficiency. There are no changes for commercial customers at this time.
Glass drop off bins are located at:

Summer Camp registration is open, and camps are already rolling for Summer 2026! There are still spots available, but they fill quickly every year, so don’t wait too long to sign up.
This summer, is offering eight weeks of mountain bike camps at multiple locations throughout. With more camp weeks and expanded locations, there are more opportunities than ever for young riders to get outside, build skills, and have an unforgettable summer on two wheels.
Campers will spend their days building confidence, endurance, and mountain bike skills while having a blast with friends. Camps include trail rides, bike-focused games, STEAM-based activities, and hands-on trail stewardship experiences. We offer both full-day and half-day options for a variety of age groups, making it easy to find the right fit for your rider. We also have rotating location options, where kids will meet their coaches in different trail locations throughout Flagstaff.
If cost is a concern, please don’t let that stop your child from participating. FLYRS proudly offers scholarships to help ensure every kid has access to the sport, regardless of financial barriers.
Come ride with us this summer!

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Grand Canyon National Park is welcoming a new, four-legged member to the park’s wildlife management team. “Blue,” a trained Conservation K-9, will work alongside park wildlife staff to help reduce human-wildlife conflicts in busy areas on the South Rim.
The Conservation K-9 Pilot Project, now in its first year of a 3-year pilot, uses dogs to encourage animals who are habituated to humans, such as Grand Canyon’s elk and bighorn sheep, to avoid developed areas where interactions with visitors can be unsafe to both visitors and wildlife.

A planned water outage is scheduled in the inner canyon from June 4–11 to support critical Transcanyon Waterline infrastructure work. Crews will tie in a new section of piping along the River Trail and complete additional work at the Havasupai Gardens pumphouse.
The outage will impact potable water service at Phantom Ranch, the Phantom Ranch Delta Restroom, Bright Angel Campground, Boat Beach, Cottonwood Campgrou`nd, Manzanita Rest Area, and Manzanita Day Use Area. Havasupai Gardens, as well as the 3-Mile and 1.5-Mile resthouses, will continue to have water available during this period.

COCONINO COUNTY — Areas of Coconino County within Coconino National Forest and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest have entered Stage 1 fire restrictions.
With the potential for continued warm, dry and windy conditions throughout Northern Arizona, Coconino County will enter Stage 1 fire restrictions in alignment with area National Forest decisions. Locations and dates for restrictions are listed below.
County fire restriction stages are:

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Emergency Management has released the draft 2026 Coconino County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for public review and comment throughout May.
This comprehensive plan identifies natural hazards that pose risks to communities across Coconino County and outlines strategies to reduce long-term vulnerability to those hazards. Developed through a collaborative process, the plan includes participation from Coconino County; the cities of Flagstaff, Page and Williams; the towns of Tusayan and Fredonia; and Northern Arizona University, along with other stakeholders and partner agencies.

North Rim Reopens for 2026 Season
Grand Canyon National Park officially reopened the North Rim for the 2026 season on May 15. The park extends a heartfelt thank you to Grand Canyon Conservancy, the Arizona Trail Association, and Aramark and for their support and partnership in helping ensure reopening remained on schedule for the 2026 season.
Visitors hiking the upper portion of the North Kaibab Trail between Supai Tunnel and the Trailhead are advised to use increased caution while traveling through areas affected by the Dragon Bravo burn scar. Burned landscapes can increase the risk of flash flooding, debris flows, rock falls, erosion and falling trees, particularly during monsoon storms or periods of heavy rain. In cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, the park has expanded flash flood monitoring and emergency preparedness efforts throughout the Bright Angel Creek watershed, including the installation of new stream and precipitation gages and enhanced visitor notification systems. Hikers are encouraged to closely monitor weather conditions and heed all posted warnings.

COCONINO COUNTY — Results for the May 19, 2026 Special Election indicate that a majority of Flagstaff voters chose “Yes” on Question 492, ratifying the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045. This means that the Plan will be in effect in the City of Flagstaff following the official canvass of the election, which is expected to occur at the June 2 Flagstaff City Council meeting.

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
COCONINO COUNTY — We imagine a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community.
The purpose of CCC&Y is bold and your help is needed.
When you become a member of CCC&Y, your financial contribution helps cultivate and strengthen well-informed communities by providing education and resources, bringing stakeholders together, building new systems of communication and more.
Each week, the Coalition produces a weekly newsletter where we share partner news and events in our blog section and links to community resource meetings.
READ MORE

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
FLAGSTAFF — Hikers, parents and children enjoyed a beautiful spring day to take in some fresh air in celebration of the annual 2026 Walk for Wellness — Physical & Mental Health held on May 9 at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff.
The 5th annual event was held in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month nationally and in Coconino County.
Organizers said event was designed to make taking care of your physical and mental health a habit, raise awareness, reduce the stigma of mental health and enjoy a walk with family and friends.
Some of the organizations participating in the event include Anderson General Tire, Arizona Dept. of Economic Security — Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP), Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, Girl Scouts, Native Americans for Community Action (NACA), the Narbha Institute, National Fire Prevention Education Team from the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Arizona Healthcare — Office of Philanthropy, Oxford House, Pioneer Title Agency, Terros Health, Tynkertopia and We Care Northern Arizona.

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
Please join CCC&Y for its next Prevention Council Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Christopher N. David, chief executive officer of Native Americans for Community Action Inc., will be the opening speaker. The Council meets the first Thursday of the month.
Our meetings provide our coalition partners with the opportunity to share the latest news about their projects that support children, youth and their families in Northern Arizona.
Want to be a guest speaker at our next meeting? Send an email to CCC&Y Executive Director Virginia Watahomigie at coalition@coconinokids.org to be placed on the agenda or to receive a Zoom link to our next meeting.
READ MORE

Do you have questions about the Regional Plan?
Click here to visit the Regional Plan FAQ page, which has been updated to include these topical questions:
What does the Regional Plan propose for the AZ State Land parcels known as Section 10 and Section 20?
Why is there an Employment District near Ft. Tuthill?
Does the Regional Plan 2045 require new homes to be all electric?

City of Flagstaff voters,
There’s a lot of misinformation being spread in our community, on social media and by word of mouth, about ratifying the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045.
F3 would like to directly address this misinformation by providing direct answers to specific misinformation. The questions and answers below are taken directly from the City of Flagstaff’s Regional Plan 2045 website FAQs.
Does the Regional Plan 2045 require that all new homes must be electric?
No, there is no policy that directly states that all new homes should be all electric. There is an action item in Chapter 10 to “Update the City Sustainable Building Resolution and Sustainable Residential Building Incentives to further implement net-zero energy standards.” The incentives could include points or options for all electric homes.

Water Conservation Remains Critical Following New Pipeline Break
Grand Canyon continues to operate under water conservation measures. A new break in the Transcanyon Waterline was identified the evening of April 29 and as of Thursday afternoon, the break has been located along the North Kaibab Trail north of Phantom Ranch near the 4th footbridge. This latest development is a reminder that the system remains fragile and conditions can change quickly.

One of F3’s board members was awarded a Flagstaff Sustainability Office neighborhood grant to remove invasive plants in the section of the Rio de Flag that runs along Thomas Elementary school and reseed with native flowers and grasses.
The second of three plant pull events is happening this Saturday from 9am – noon. Meet at the east entrance to Bushmaster Park.

This ballot asks voters in the City of Flagstaff to vote on whether to ratify or not ratify the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045. Return your ballot by 7pm on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The special election is a vote-by-mail only election. There are no polling places on election day.
Click here for ballot drop-box locations and additional election information.

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
FLAGSTAFF — The Coalition will participate in the 2026 Annual Community STEM Celebration to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Fort Tuthill Fairgrounds.
THE EVENT, PRESENTED BY Flagstaff STEM City, IS FREE!!!
The Coalition’s display will feature the return of its stomp air rockets, a water bottle rocket display and plenty of informational handouts on the U.S. space program including the recent successful Artemus II journey around the moon.
This year’s STEM Celebration will include the return of the Lunar Legacy Invitational – bringing even more opportunities for hands-on STEM exploration.
The Lunar Legacy Invitational will welcome robotics teams from across the Southwest to celebrate Flagstaff’s rich history in space exploration. Teams will compete in space-themed challenges, earn awards, and explore exciting STEM exhibits—continuing the legacy of innovation in our community.

The Greater Flagstaff Region is hosting a public meeting on April 23 from 5:00-8:00 p, at the Flagstaff Aquaplex for the community to learn about the current process to update the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
Attendees will be able to visit with staff from local fire departments, talk with subject matter experts, and provide comments to inform the CWPP’s development, as well as learn about wildfire risk reduction recommendations for the forest and for homes.

“(April 14) the Week of the Young Child proclamation was read at the Flagstaff City Council meeting, recognizing the importance of the early years and their impact on lifelong success,” said Pearl Santillan of First Things First.
“Our PPO Shawn Soumilas, shared powerful remarks highlighting that nearly 4,000 young children in Flagstaff are in their most critical years of development and how access to affordable, reliable child care is directly tied to workforce stability, education, and the overall strength of our community.
“I had the opportunity to briefly close by grounding the moment in the people behind this work recognizing the providers, families, and partners who show up every day to support young children across our region.
“We were proud to stand alongside our Regional Partnership Council members, staff, community partners, and Rebecca Cirzan’s son, Hayden, who even joined me at the podium, a sweet reminder of who this work is ultimately for. Grateful to be part of this work and this community.”

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
FLAGSTAFF — Families braved a last-minute rainstorm and breezy conditions outside to return to Killip Elementary School for the annual “Full STEAM Ahead!” Flagstaff Early Childhood Fair on Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Flagstaff.
Nearly two dozen family-supportive organizations staffed a variety of interactive activity tables related to S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). The event also provided a variety of resources for parents and providers, dental information and snacks.

We need your help in preventing wildfire severity! The 2026 Firewise Residential Cleanup will occur April 18-26, 2026.
Please pile all pine needles and woody debris along your residential road in an area accessible to vehicles for the crew to pick up. Park staff will begin hauling debris the week of April 27.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office invites community members to join three signature events this spring: the Earth Day Celebration on April 18, Drop Off Day on April 25, and the Fix-It Clinic on May 2.
Earth Day Celebration
The annual Earth Day Celebration will be on Saturday, April 18 at Bushmaster Park from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Listen to live music, attend a free workshop, eat food from a local food truck, and discover dozens of sustainable-minded organizations and activities.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff announced on Thursday, April 9 that it has received confirmation that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO) has signed a lease for office space at 1585 S. Plaza Way in Flagstaff. The property is near the former Suddenlink/Optimum customer service building.
Two City of Flagstaff Police Dept. patrol units could be seen parked in front of the location on Thursday evening.
Keep Flagstaff Together, a project of the Catch Fire Movement, has stated on its Facebook page to “Stay away from 1585 South Plaza Way, Suites 150 & 160. Call 928-395-6330 to request witnesses for support and to record a suspected encounter with immigration law enforcement.”
Please see:
• Arizona Daily Sun — City of Flagstaff, Flagstaff Police Department announce ICE has signed lease for South Plaza Way office space
• Great Circle Media — ICE Enforcement And Removal Operations Signs Lease For Office Space In Flagstaff
• KNAU — Flagstaff activists claim ICE office to open on Plaza Way
• Coconino County Sheriff’s Office — U.S. Immigration and Customs Presence in Coconino County (March 26)

Save the Date—Town of Tusayan Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May 5
On Tuesday, May 5, the Town of Tusayan will be hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration from 4:30-9 p.m. at the Squire Resort in Tusayan. Mexican food and music will be featured as well as pinatas for kids, a face painter, balloon artist, a dive-in movie and indoor and outdoor pool, as well as a drone light show.
More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
FLAGSTAFF — The community is invited to attend the annual “Full STEAM Ahead!” Flagstaff Early Childhood Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026 at W. F. Killip Elementary School.
Held in celebration of the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s “Week of the Young Child,” (https://www.azaeyc.org/connect/woyc/), the event is sponsored by Flagstaff STEM City, W.F. Killip Elementary School, the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth, Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) and Mountain Line.
More than two dozen family-supportive organizations are expected to present a variety of interactive activity related to S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). The event will also provide a variety of resources for parents and providers, dental resources, snacks and more information.
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‘Honey, life is just a classroom’
English professor Kim Hensley Owens is meeting NAU students where they are with the class ENG 399: Taylor Swift and the Rhetoric of (Almost) Everything. By delving into Swift’s lyrics, persona and fame, students learn the art of persuasive language, gaining foundational skills that will serve them well in any career.

Targeting cost hurdles in forest restoration
As the West faces increasingly destructive wildfires, land managers rely on mechanical thinning to reduce hazardous fuels and restore forest health. But one obstacle continues to slow this work down: Thinning costs are notoriously difficult to estimate from one project to the next. A new study from ERI aims to address the uncertainty around those numbers and the concerns that outdated cost estimates may be holding critical restoration projects back.

The City Council vote on a text amendment to Flagstaff’s zoning code (PZ-26-00018) will not take place this Tuesday, April 7 as scheduled on the Council Agenda .
F3 has learned that instead of voting this week, a presentation to City Council about data centers is currently scheduled for the April 21 council meeting, with a first vote on the text amendment scheduled for the May 5 council meeting.
As with all dates on the Council Working Calendar, these dates are subject to change until the final Council Agenda is released the Friday before the council meeting.

FLAGSTAFF — Denova Collaborative Health, Arizona’s largest outpatient behavioral health provider, celebrated the expansion of access to behavioral health and primary care services in Northern Arizona with the grand opening of a new clinic in Flagstaff on March 31, 2026.
The clinic, at 555 W. Forest Meadows St., Suite 18, celebrated with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and public tours of the facility, which is located across the street from the Kohl’s Flagstaff Department Store
The new 1,818-square-foot clinic offers both in-person and virtual care, providing psychiatric services, therapy and primary care in a coordinated setting designed to improve access to timely healthcare for residents of Flagstaff and surrounding communities.