“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:
Highlights
The White Sage Fire is now mapped at 58,559 acres, an increase of 6,637 acres due to improved mapping. The updated acreage accounts for previously undetected burned areas in the northern part of the fire, where light fuels and low heat signatures made early detection difficult. Containment has increased to 9%, with progress made along the south side of the fire, from the west side of Highway 89A to Road 422A. Today, crews will work to extend containment lines east of Highway 89A and along the northern edge of the fire’s western finger near Road 422A.
Latest Update: Firefighters are taking advantage of current favorable weather conditions to establish fireline on the Dragon
Bravo Fire as part of a full suppression strategy. Crews are continuing to protect remaining structures and cultural values located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park while providing for public and firefighter safety. Fire behavior has decreased slightly due to recent weather events but remains dynamic and unpredictable.
Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival
Lowell Observatory
Come celebrate our 11th season with us this year under the festival tent at Lowell Observatory! Various Times.
Learn More
FLAGSTAFF — As part of the City’s annual Road Repair and Street Safety (RRSS) program, northbound Beulah Blvd will be closed at Forest Meadows St on Monday, July 21 for pavement patching, this work is in preparation for the full pavement overlay scheduled in August. The closure will be in place for less than 24 hours. Southbound traffic on Beulah Blvd will not be impacted.
Additional work is also scheduled throughout the community under the RRSS program. Temporary lane shifts, lane closures, and/ or shoulder closures should be expected on the following roadways during the indicated timeframes:
COCONINO COUNTY — Yes, we know. Summer has just begun and at the Coalition we are still updating our parent-friendly Summer Camps, Summer Food and Summer Reading listings.
However, some eager folks out there are already getting ready for Back-to-School events and so have decided to get a head start and start listing and promoting upcoming activities.
Please check with individual programs to confirm times, dates, other information.
If your program would like to be added to this listing, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org
(INFORMATION UPDATED July 14, 2025)
President José Luis Cruz Rivera has been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education. Find out what this means for NAU’s leadership.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff hereby gives public notice that it is the City’s policy to assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other related statutes and regulations including Title II of the ADA. The City of Flagstaff operates without regard to race, color, national origin, income status, sex, age, limited English proficiency (LEP), or disability and that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.
The White Sage Fire reached 4% containment as of yesterday. On the fire’s west side, crews constructed dozer line near the community of White Sage, along the northern edge of the fire’s heel. Today, firefighters will continue mop-up operations, extinguishing any remaining burning or smoldering material, felling hazardous snags, and trenching logs to prevent rolling and potential reignition.
Fire activity increased yesterday on the north side of the fire near Winter Road. Multiple aircraft conducted retardant drops to help slow the fire’s spread. Water tenders are shuttling water to fill portable tanks, each holding up to 2,000 gallons, for helicopters engaged in aerial suppression.
Latest Update: Aerial and ground firefighters continue to use a full suppression strategy to protect all remaining values at risk located within Grand Canyon National Park. While the Dragon Bravo Fire continues to grow on the park’s North Rim, it showed significantly decreased movement Tuesday in the Roaring Springs area.
At Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, we believe in helping our community feel vibrant, connected, and fully alive. That’s why we’re sending one final reminder about Fitness Collective’s exclusive offer just for the FSO community—a custom, 3-week Fitness Jumpstart Program for just $99!
One of our FSO board members, Cindy, has personally been training with Fitness Collective for several months. She says:
COCONINO COUTY — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking applicants for two appointments to the Fredonia-Moccasin Unified School District governing board that will expire December 31, 2026.
Applicants must be Arizona registered voters and residents of the school district for at least one year prior to the date of appointment. Applicants or their spouses cannot be an employee of the district. A first review of applications will commence 30 days following the posting on August 14, 2025. Please turn in your applications by the end of the business day.
Applications can be downloaded at this address: https://coconino.az.gov/2855/Governing-Board
“Technology touches everyone’s lives, shaping how we connect, work, learn, and experience the world every day. One of our key focus areas is digital transformation. Having instant access to information online, rather than driving hours for an in-person meeting, has been widely embraced by the public,” commented Matt Fowler, Coconino County Chief Information Officer. “We have an amazing team and to place in the Top 10, six years in a row, demonstrates the passion and dedication our staff provides our communities.”
Latest Update: Firefighters continue to use an aggressive full suppression strategy on the Dragon Bravo Fire working both daytime and nighttime operational shifts. Existing closures and evacuations remain in place. Firefighters are working to protect remaining structures on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, build and strengthen containment lines and hold the fire to as small a perimeter as possible.
Over the past few days, the White Sage Fire has exhibited extreme fire behavior, with fire runs reaching 5–7 miles per day. However, yesterday’s fire growth was significantly less, with an increase of approximately 2,636 acres, thanks to the hard work of firefighters and more favorable conditions. The fire perimeter is approximately 158 miles around. Yesterday, the fire continued to spread actively, particularly through areas impacted by the 2020 Mangum Fire, where invasive cheatgrass is fueling rapid movement. The west side of the fire is holding well near White Sage and is now transitioning into suppression repair work to mitigate impacts from firefighting efforts.
Experience the theatrical event of the summer as Theatrikos brings the celebrated musical phenomenon, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, to the stage! From July 17 through August 10, witness this timeless tale from the legendary duo Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
This summit is a collaborative platform to:
· Share innovative approaches to addressing food insecurity
· Learn from local leaders, policy experts, and those with lived experience
· Strengthen partnerships across Northern Arizona’s food systems
· Mobilize for sustainable solutions to end hunger in our communities
Whether you’re engaged in direct service, advocacy, education, or policy, your voice is essential. Together, we can shape a more equitable and food-secure future for all.
COCONINO COUNTY — The White Sage Fire has closed portions of 89A in the Vermillion Cliffs area. The portion of the road from Bitter Springs to Cliff Dwellers remains open and the businesses in that corridor are open as well.
Presently, there is a message board on northbound Hwy 89A at milepost 524 that says the road closure is 24 miles ahead. A second message board at Marble Canyon says the closure is 10 miles ahead.
If travelling, please be aware of message boards and recognize that situations can change rapidly.
For road closure updates visit az511.com
TUSAYAN — Tusayan Mayor Clarinda Vail says Tusayan stands ready to assist the North Rim communities as they continue to deal with the devastation of the Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The fire has destroyed 50 to 80 structures including the Grand Canyon Lodge.
The fire, which has burned more than 5,700 acres on the North Rim, does not impact the South Rim or its hotels or other services.
“We want our North Rim neighbors to know that we stand ready to help and assist as needed. The devastation is heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to all impacted by the fire and all that love the North Rim. We pray for the safety of the firefighters still battling the flames. Due to some media confusion we want to remind visitors with plans to visit the South Rim they can do so safely and that we welcome those North Rim visitors forced to change their plans to come to the South Rim and Tusayan.”
COCONINO COUNTY — Grand Canyon National Park is a natural wonder of the world, geological storyteller, sacred cultural site and economic driver for Coconino County communities.
The loss of infrastructure at the North Rim from the Dragon Bravo Fire, including the lodge and visitors center, has a profound impact on residents and visitors alike and breaks our communities’ hearts.
In addition to the Dragon Bravo Fire, the White Sage Fire burning near Jacobs Lake has also led to evacuations and impacts on local communities who rely on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management have assisted with emergency efforts including road closures, evacuations and operations. The fires grew exponentially due to high winds and dry conditions on the ground.
Highlights
Yesterday, numerous aerial firefighting resources, including Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs) and Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs), dropped 179,597 gallons of retardant along the southern and northern perimeter. These efforts provided critical support to firefighters on the ground, by slowing fire spread. On the west side of the fire, near the point of origin, the line is holding well, and crews are actively mopping up and securing the perimeter. Multiple hand crews on the southern flank worked late into the night to continue building and reinforcing containment line.
Latest Update: Fire activity on the Dragon Bravo Fire remains high-to-extreme with heavy fire activity occurring overnight.
More than 70 structures on the North Rim, including the Grand Canyon Lodge, were lost during the weekend’s fire activity.
Crews are working daytime and nighttime operational shifts. More resources are being directed toward the Dragon Bravo Fire,
and heavy aerial resource use will continue as part of an aggressive full suppression strategy. Closures and evacuations remain
Hands-On Hand Building
with Ben Roti
July 28-September 1, 2025 – Mondays 12-3pm
In this fun and creative class, suitable for both beginners and experienced ceramicists, you’ll learn a variety of hand-building techniques and explore your personal artistic vision in a welcoming, hands-on environment.
What You’ll Experience:
Foundational Techniques: Learn essential hand-building methods such as slab construction, coil building, and pinch pots, to create functional and decorative pieces.
Creative Projects: Each class includes demonstrations and hands-on practice in crafting items like bowls, mugs, vases, platters, and lidded boxes, plus optional advanced projects for experienced students.
Surface Design and Glazing: Explore texturing, stamping, slip decoration, and glazing techniques to finish your creations.
COCONINO COUNTY — Despite scattered rains the night before, thousands of visitors crowded into downtown Flagstaff on a beautiful morning to celebrate the 2025 Annual Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce/Nackard Pepsi 4th of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2024.
The events began with a Guardian Air Transport helicopter flying overhead leading a parade featuring more than 100 entries. The Arizona Daily Sun reported between 15,000 to 20,000 people attended the annual event.
Members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) joined the Coconino County parade entry which featured public safety vehicles, the Majestics Car Club of Flagstaff, marching bands and other entries.
