Tag: Coconino National Forest

Coconino National Forest to resume prescribed fire plans next week following rain-induced delay

by Community Contributor • May 3, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest fire managers will resume spring prescribed fire plans following an unexpected delay due to precipitation across northern Arizona.

“Last weekend’s snow and rain is an example of why we always frame our prescribed fire plans as ‘tentative’ until we can conduct our pre-project test fire,” said Jason Clawson, Coconino National Forest Fire Staff Officer.

Successful prescribed fire requires ideal conditions. “Hazardous fuels” – including pine needle accumulation, dead and down trees and decaying plant matter on forest floors – need to be dry enough to burn at a low rate of intensity, but not too dry as to burn hot and fast.

Coconino National Forest prescribed fire projects slated to begin week of April 29

by Community Contributor • April 26, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will begin conducting prescribed fire on two of its three districts next week should wind and weather conditions allow.

Fire managers plan to begin a variety of projects across both the Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) starting the week of April 29.

“We’re looking forward to another great season of using prescribed fire to restore our local landscape and safeguard our communities,” said Coconino National Forest Fire Staff Officer Jason Clawson. “The work we’re doing now helps prevent the risk of catastrophic and unexpected wildfire during our hottest, driest and windiest months.”

Firewood permit sales begin April 15 as seasonal road closures begin to lift

by Community Contributor • April 15, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will begin selling 2024 season firewood permits at its ranger stations and headquarters Monday, April 15 as seasonal road closures begin to lift for roads suitable for motorized travel.

The minimum cost for a permit is $20, with a maximum purchase of 12 cords per household. Permits allow for the cutting of down and dead wood or standing wood that meets certain criteria in specified areas. The cost for oak, aspen, juniper and maple will be $5 per cord, and the cost for pine and mixed conifer will be $2.50 per cord.

Popular Flagstaff trailhead to close for construction

by Community Contributor • April 4, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — A popular trailhead leading to two of the most popular trails in Flagstaff will be closed for the next two months for public safety and to make room for workers and equipment while construction occurs.

The trailhead for Elden Lookout trail and Fatmans Loop trail will be closed beginning Monday, April 8 through May as contractors reconstruct the trailhead and repave and expand the parking area to accommodate up to 50 vehicles as well as other visitor facilities.

Coconino County Flood Control District, Coconino National Forest to collaborate on forest restoration plan for Upper Rio De Flag Watershed

by Community Contributor • March 5, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Flood Control District (The District) and the Coconino National Forest have announced a new Upper Rio De Flag Watershed restoration plan to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and post-fire flooding.

“It’s been proven that forest restoration — including mechanical thinning and prescribed fire — is an effective tool to reduce wildfire spread and severity,” said Coconino County Forest Restoration Director Jay Smith. “The completion of forest restoration in Upper Rio De Flag Watershed will provide a multi-generational benefit to our region.”

Pile burns planned (for Jan. 31) on Coconino National Forest

by Community Contributor • January 31, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will conduct pile burns in two different locations (for Jan. 31).

The Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) will burn 1,320 acres of piles located at Willard Springs, 5 miles north of Munds Park.

Smoke impact is anticipated to be minimal but may briefly affect Interstate 17.

The Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) will burn 2 acres of piles located at Bly Pit, 14 miles northeast of Clints Well.

There are no anticipated road or trail closures due to any of the pile burn projects. Please refrain from calling dispatch lines if you see smoke from these pile burns so lines can remain open for any emergencies.

Pile burns planned around Coconino National Forest this week as winter weather continues

by Community Contributor • January 8, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Fire managers on the Coconino National Forest plan to take advantage of winter weather conditions by conducting pile burns on both the Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) and Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) this week.

The FRD has multiple pile burn projects planned between Monday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 12.

Seasonal road closures beginning on Coconino National Forest

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2023 • Comments Off

In an effort to protect forest roads from damage, the Coconino National Forest has started closing forest roads in the Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) for the winter and will continue closing roads over the course of the coming weeks across the forest in higher elevations.

While the FRD has closed forest roads north of Interstate 40 along U.S. Highway 180 and U.S. Highway 89, many forest roads currently remain open due to low levels of snow and precipitation.

Seasonal road closures on each district of the Coconino NF occur at different times each year and depend on weather forecasts and road conditions.

Forest visitors are encouraged to check forest road statuses prior to any excursion by visiting the Coconino NF’s Forest Roads Status web page.

Coconino National Forest seeks public input on proposed trail enhancements on Red Rock Ranger District

by Community Contributor • November 21, 2023 • Comments Off

SEDONA — Coconino National Forest is seeking public input and comments on proposed trail enhancements at specific locations within the Red Rock Ranger District that would add approximately 39 miles of non-motorized trails and re-route and naturalize other trails.

The proposed locations fall within and near the communities of Sedona, Village of Oak Creek and Cornville and would include 24.42 miles of non-motorized trails, adopting 14.8 miles of user-created routes, and naturalizing 10.14 miles of user-created trails. The specific locations include the Turkey Creek System, Bell Rock Area Bypasses, Cornville School Trail, Doe Mesa Loop, Hardline Trail, and Scheurman Trail Connector.

These proposals are the result of years of planning after a strong public demand for improved and enhanced trailhead access, options, and experiences.

Coconino NF accepting applicants for 2024 Women in Wildfire Boot Camp

by Community Contributor • November 20, 2023 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will host a Women in Wildland Fire boot camp in April of 2024 for individuals interested in exploring a career in wildfire and is currently accepting applications.

Boot camp participants will gain a greater understanding of the challenges and responsibilities of wildland firefighting through sessions conducted both in the classroom and in the field.

Class work will consist of online training modules, where participants will learn about wildland firefighting strategy and safety.

During field training, participants will follow guidelines set by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group to explore firefighting as a career in a hands-on way.

Coconino NF prescribed fire outlook: Week of Oct. 30

by Community Contributor • October 30, 2023 • Comments Off

When: Oct. 31 or Nov. 1
Where: Along Fort Valley Road 1 mile west of Basecamp at Snowbowl
Why: As part of a Northern Arizona University project to burn a small piece of land on a five-year rotation to further study prescribed fire. This area was last burned in the fall of 2018.
Size: 3 acres
Method/ type of burn: Broadcast and maintenance
Duration: 1 day
Smoke impacts: Light smoke impacts may be felt on Highway 180.
Closures/ restrictions: None

Firing operations paused on Cecil, Still fires in advance of weekend winds

by Community Contributor • September 29, 2023 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Firefighters are halting firing operations on both the Cecil and Still fires in advance of forecast increased wind speeds.

Both fires have been staffed with additional firefighters who plan to spend the weekend holding and securing existing fire line.

So far, crews have successfully treated a combined 2,500 acres of Coconino National Forest land on both the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District due to both lightning-caused fires.

Land treatment removes fuels – such as dead trees and pine needle accumulation – from the forest floor to reduce the risk of high-intensity wildfire.

Both the Cecil and Still fires are being managed to reduce those hazardous fuels and improve forest health as guided by Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy.

Coconino NF begins management of two lightning-caused beneficial wildfires on Flagstaff and Mogollon Rim ranger districts

by Community Contributor • September 27, 2023 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest is responding to two separate lightning-caused wildfires: the Cecil Fire, located on the Flagstaff Ranger District, and the Still Fire, located on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.

The Coconino NF often strategically manages lightning-caused wildfires to benefit the overall health of the fire-adapted forest and plans to use the natural ignitions of both the Cecil and Still fires in this manner.

Wildfires are a natural part of the Coconino NF’s ecosystem, and when managed diligently and properly following the requisite planning process, improve the landscape long-term in several ways.

Coconino National Forest and City of Flagstaff to partner on Inner Basin water pipeline repair

by Community Contributor • July 6, 2023 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest’s Flagstaff Ranger District and the City of Flagstaff will both soon begin repairing flood damage to the Inner Basin water pipeline and along nearby forest roads.

The pipeline, which was damaged due to post-wildfire flooding caused by the 2022 Pipeline Fire, has been losing millions of gallons of water each day.

The project – formally titled the Inner Basin Waterline Post Fire Repairs Road Reconstruction Project – is outlined in a decision memo that was recently signed into effect by Coconino NF Supervisor Aaron Mayville.

Flood Control District and Coconino National Forest to Begin Schultz Creek Watershed Restoration

by Community Contributor • May 10, 2023 • Comments Off

The Coconino County Flood Control District and the Coconino National Forest will begin the first phase of watershed restoration project in Schultz Creek this spring.

This watershed restoration project is an effort to respond to post-fire flooding caused by the 2022 Pipeline Fire, which damaged the Schultz Creek watershed, dramatically increasing levels of flow and erosion in Schultz Creek, which overwhelmed downstream stormwater infrastructure in the City of Flagstaff. The Coconino County Flood Control District (the District) will begin the project the week of May 22, and the first phase of construction is expected to run through June.

Through Aug. 19 — Coconino National Forest upcoming events

by Community Contributor • July 1, 2018 • Comments Off

*** Friday, August 3rd @ Bonito Campground 8:00–8:45 p.m. Cunning Coyote. Join Rangers Al and Karen Reed for a presentation on North America’s most capable and most misunderstood survivor. Bring your howling talent! 8: 00-8: 45 p.m. Coyote Astuto.…