Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. “Flag Happs” is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights of the week.
VIEW ALL EVENTS THIS WEEK
What a remarkable summer it’s been! Last month brought two exciting milestones for United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) and the communities we serve.
We awarded more than $470,000 in Community Investment funds to 41 programs across northern Arizona, supporting critical services that strengthen our region. We also celebrated the 20th anniversary of KinderCamp™, our signature early childhood program that helps young learners take their first confident steps into kindergarten.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County leaders received bipartisan presidential appointments to various federal advocacy committees at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference earlier this week.
The conference is a gathering of representatives from over 3,000 counties to discuss federal policies that impact counties, attend workshops to share best practices, and collectively elevate county voices at the federal level. Coconino County appointments are in key federal advocacy areas that directly impact the relationship between the federal government and the County.
“NACo brings counties together to find solutions to shared challenges and improve the services we deliver every day,” said Chair and District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman. “Here in Coconino County, we’re proud to be leaders on the national stage who help shape policies that impact rural communities like ours. Through active roles on NACo committees, we’re making sure Coconino County’s voice is heard across the country and in Washington, D.C., and that the unique needs of our residents are front and center in national conversations.”
The City of Flagstaff seeks proposals for large-scale, three-dimensional (3D) artworks for the 2026/2027 Multicultural County Park Sculpture Exhibition. The exhibition features five sculptures, existing or newly created, that reflect diverse cultural expressions including Indigenous, Black, and Latinx art. Selected artworks can advance essential perspectives and narratives and will invite interaction, conversation, and appreciation.
Application Deadline: August 1, 2025, 5 pm (Arizona Time)
Image: Changing Woman by Lance Yazzie (foreground) and Celestial Juggler by Joe Ray (background)
Message from Ed Keable, Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park, on the Dragon Bravo Fire Response
On Saturday, July 19, we were honored to host Deputy Secretary Kate MacGregor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Kevin Lilly, and Acting NPS Director Jessica Bowron at Grand Canyon National Park. Their visit underscored the Department of the Interior’s and National Park Service’s strong support for our ongoing response to the Dragon Bravo Fire and their commitment to the future of the North Rim.
Highlights
Highway 89A has been re-opened to the public. Highway 67 toward the Grand Canyon remains closed.
The White Sage Fire is mapped at 58,980 acres (no change), and is 81 percent contained (6 percent increase from yesterday). The Oak Point Fire to the south is mapped at 85 acres and is 100 percent contained.
Smoke may be visible from Highway 89A from heavier fuels burning in the interior of the fire footprint. In addition, wind across burned areas may create dust and ash clouds, which can look like smoke from a distance.
Across the fire, firefighters are engaged mainly in mop up and suppression repair. Fire managers expect suppression repair on the west side of the fire to be completed within a few days. Crews are completing mop up and repairing fences on the north side of the fire.
Thank you for your support of the Museum of Northern Arizona. This year, we are introducing many new hands-on activities at MNA – and we need your help!
From holding a fossilized dinosaur claw in your hands to making your own geology-inspired jewelry, hands-on activities provide a sense of connection that you just can’t get through a screen. That’s why we are asking you to help us reach our summer goal of raising $20,000 to support interactive elements at MNA!
Latest Update: Thursday brought record breaking dry conditions to the Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Firefighters held control lines and are preparing for increased activity in the coming days as critically low humidity and gusty winds persist through the week.
Ongoing & Planned Operations: Firefighters continue building fireline on forest roads 610 and 611. Crews have completed work along Forest Road 223 northwest of the fire and are now preparing contingency lines along Forest Road 222. Fire behavior analysts are determining the feasibility of building contingency lines northeast of the Dragon Bravo Fire near Lookout Tower Road. Structure protection groups continue to install and improve defense measures around the Kaibab Lodge and gas station, as well as other critical infrastructure. Aircraft successfully limited spread on the western flank of the fire near the Dragon Creek from moving further northeast. Fire continues to back down into the canyon southeast of the fire.
COCONINO COUNTY — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) has informed Coconino County that it will temporarily close the railroad crossing on Garland Prairie Road in Parks for emergency repair work from Friday, July 25 through Monday, July 28.
Daily closures will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the crossing scheduled to reopen each evening.
The emergency work will involve replacing railroad ties and repaving the asphalt crossing surface to ensure safe travel for both motorists and trains.
FLAGSTAFF — Following the announcement of City Manager Greg Clifton’s future retirement, the City of Flagstaff has partnered with Duffy Group to lead a nationwide competitive recruitment process inclusive of community input. Mr. Clifton has targeted August 29, 2025 as the end date of his employment with the City, although he will continue to serve as a contracted interim manager until such time as the next city manager is in place.
Highlights
The White Sage Fire is mapped at 58,980 acres and is 75 percent contained, an 11 percent increase from yesterday. The Oak Point Fire is mapped at 85 acres and is 100 percent contained. Weather conditions are conducive for active fire behavior.
On the west side of the fire, crews with heavy equipment are engaged in suppression repair efforts. This entails pulling back berms, placing vegetation on disturbed soil, and spreading approved seed mix to stabilize soil and restore the natural appearance of the area. Today crews will begin repairing livestock fencing damaged during suppression efforts. Fencing is important infrastructure used to manage grazing allotments on public lands.
FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff City Clerk Stacy Saltzburg has been recognized as the Clerk of the Year by the Arizona Municipal Clerks’ Association (AMCA). The Clerk of the Year award is reserved for the clerk whose accomplishments have made the most significant contribution to improving municipal government and their own community.
Stacy has served as City Clerk for the City of Flagstaff since 2018 and has made many notable contributions during this time.
Latest Update: The Dragon Bravo Fire located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park remains active during a period of critical fire weather. Continued suppression efforts are focused on securing existing containment lines, as well as preparing and scouting other contingency fireline options and protecting values at risk, including the Kaibab Lodge and infrastructure within the park.
COCONINO COUNTY — With parents busy with a variety of Summer activities with their children (from at-home Summer education to summer travel), it may be a 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 or our free Bullying and Cyberbullying one-hour webinar.
Our growing library of on-demand webinars are also designed to help you gain the tools you need to learn about trauma-informed care, tips to help strengthen family protective factors, examine the effects of historical trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
Beekeeping is about more than making honey. According to assistant teaching professor Patrick Pynes, it’s also a powerful way to support biodiversity, strengthen local ecosystems and connect with nature. Every summer, Pynes’ Introductory Beekeeping Workshop teaches northern Arizonans how to take up this fun, sustainable hobby.
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Sedona Arts Center’s
Fall Catalog of Workshops & Classes is here!
You can get a sneak preview online right now at SedonaArtsCenter.org, where you’ll find upcoming classes, events, exhibitions, and more. Keep an eye on your mailbox—printed copies will be arriving in the next week or so!
Click Here
Highlights
Firefighters have been making progress around all edges of the fire. The fire has now been mapped to include the slight increase in acreage attributed to the interior pockets of unburned vegetation that are now burned. Water tenders have been working diligently to shuttle water to the incident from sources such as Big Springs and the Colorado River, helping to fill portable drafting tanks for engines and supporting firefighting efforts in areas without nearby water access.
Latest Update: Containment increased to 18% on the Dragon Bravo Fire along the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Cloud coverage and humidity aided firefighters yesterday as they continued to strengthen containment lines and protect values at risk, ahead of transition to drier, hotter conditions expected later this week.
United Way of Northern Arizona is working with its agency and government partners in response to the wildfires at the Grand Canyon, which have impacted hundreds of individuals who live and work along the North Rim.
Contributions to UWNA’s Crisis Response Fund can be made HERE and will go towards helping those displaced by the blaze, which has closed the North Rim for the rest of the season. You can also text UWNAZRESPONSE to 41444 to give.
FLAGSTAFF — Shannon Anderson, City of Flagstaff Senior Deputy City Manager, has been selected to receive the prestigious 2025 Gabe Zimmerman Public Service Award. These awards, presented annually, spotlight the invaluable work of Arizona’s civil servants, fostering appreciation for their role in solving problems, strengthening institutions, and making a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Shannon was honored with the Civic Leader award, which recognizes extraordinary public servants who have spent much of their careers supporting Arizona communities. Since 2006, Anderson has helped drive operational excellence and strengthen city services in Flagstaff through a people-first approach. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to public service, cross-department collaboration, and enhanced quality of life for the Flagstaff community.
Highlights
Containment increased 2 percent from yesterday and the fire is mapped at 58,842 acres. Crews completed line construction around the successful burnout operation and followed up with mop-up work, increasing containment along the southern perimeter north of the Highway 89A area.
To ensure thorough coverage, firefighters are patrolling in a gridding pattern, using a method called cold trailing to detect any latent heat near containment lines. This technique involves carefully feeling the ground with the back of their hand to detect lingering heat, ensuring nothing is left that could reignite. Heavy equipment and firefighters are also engaged in suppression repair, restoring soil stability and vegetative cover.
Latest Update: Light rain showers and moisture could potentially aid firefighting efforts along the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on the Dragon Bravo Fire. Fire activity is expected to persist as gusty southwest winds drive the fire through vegetation.
View this email in your browser July 21st, 2025 Last Week of Summer Reading Challenge 2025! Adult & All-Ages Events Book Clubs Youth Events Technology Help To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, please call 928-213-2330 (Downtown…
OIE 2025 Annual Summit registration now open!
September 2-4, 2025
Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Phoenix, AZ
“Strong Roots, Soaring Futures.”
Session tracks include:
Teaching and Learning
Policy and Data
Culture and Wellness
Youth Advocacy and Engagement
“This planting is significant not only because of the visual aesthetics and cultural importance of the San Francisco Peaks, but also because it can help reforest areas that burned uncharacteristically hot and may not naturally regenerate for more than one hundred years,” said silviculturist Mark Nabel. “These planted trees will help reduce soil erosion and improve wildlife habitat while also restoring some of the timber base that was lost in these recent fires.”
When ECoNA released its 5-year Strategic Plan in 2023, it confirmed something many of us already knew: northern Arizona is facing a critical shortage of workforce housing.
During the decade leading up to the plan, the average price of a single family home in our region soared – by as much as 294%, depending on the community. This surge has priced many out of home ownership and pushed rental prices higher, straining families and employers alike.
View this email in your browser LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE ART! The Big Gay Art Show at Sedona Arts Center—and online! Only Until Friday July 25, 2025 The Big Gay Art Show is coming to a close, and this is…
From presenters urging everyone to work together during this uncertain political time, to lessons on how to focus on your protest message, be it in interviews with media or even your own protest sign, more than 140 people crowded together at Flagstaff’s Federated Church for a “Teach In” on Thursday, July 17 as part of the “Good Trouble Lives On” National Day of Action.
The day, which honors the passing five years ago of Congressman John Lewis, featured protests and other forms of action in more than 1,600 locations nationwide. The local program was organized by the Coconino Democrats, Indivisible Northern Arizona and Lived Black Experience.
In Flagstaff, the event featured opening remarks by via Zoom by Dr. Justin R. Mallett, vice president of Inclusive Excellence at Northern Arizona University.
“We have to start sharing our stories and sharing the work we are doing collectively,” he said. “..We have to let people know that these events are for everybody…They are there for all of us.”
Message from Superintendent Keable on Dragon Bravo Fire
The recent Dragon Bravo Fire has profoundly impacted our Grand Canyon community, particularly for our colleagues on the North Rim who have bravely faced this devastating event. Many have experienced traumatic conditions, with some losing their homes and cherished belongings. The challenges have not been limited to our North Rim team; South Rim employees and the Grand Canyon community in and out of the park have felt the weight of this fire, as many have deep personal connections to the North Rim.
The destruction wrought by the fire is hard to fathom, and we acknowledge the emotional toll it has taken on all of us. In response to this crisis, we are adjusting our park management structure to better serve the needs of our affected employees, and the complex demands of the Grand Canyon. I continue to focus my efforts as the Agency Administrator of the Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT), comprised of skilled professionals who are dedicated to addressing the ongoing fire.
To further stabilize our response, we have assembled a regional Incident Management Team that is focusing on vital areas such as coordinating mental and physical health resources and planning for the ongoing needs of those affected.
As we navigate this difficult time, we are bolstered by the strength, resilience, and dedication that defines the GRCA community. Together, we will overcome these challenges.
GRAND CANYON, AZ.— Effective immediately, due to high fire danger, Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions for the South Rim and all other areas of the park.
The restriction encompasses the entire park including all campgrounds, residential areas, backcountry sites and developed recreation sites.
Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the following:
