Coconino County

Smoke from wildfires in northern Arizona is impacting several communities in Coconino County. The Coconino County Public Health Services District is encouraging individuals to take precautions to protect themselves from the health effects of wildfire smoke.

Many factors influence a person’s susceptibility to smoke. These factors include the level, extent, and duration of exposure, age, and individual susceptibility. Not everyone who is exposed to smoke will have health problems.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors declared a State of Emergency during a special session this morning due to the major flooding in the north Schultz Flood area.

Coconino County Public Works Crews re-opened Brandis Way after a closure July 18. All county roads are open; however, motorists should use caution when traveling through the area because debris and operating equipment may present hazards. 

County Public Works crews closed Brandis Way due to an extraordinary event, with almost six inches of rain in less than two hours, that caused debris flows and water over the roadway on July 18. Debris obstructed one of the culverts, diverting water and debris onto the road and rendering it impassable.

Coconino County has activated an Emergency Operation Center (EOC) to coordinate emergency response operations due to heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding this afternoon in the Schultz Flood area.

County Public Works crews closed Brandis Way due to significant water over the roadway. Debris obstructed one of the culverts, diverting water and debris onto the road and rendering it impassable. Public Works has crews on scene and has begun assessment of the damage and clean-up will commence as soon as it’s safe to enter.

 Coconino County will lift fire restrictions above the North Rim of the Grand Canyon effective immediately. This region received significant moisture during the last week, decreasing fire risk.

In coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, Coconino County will lift fire restrictions below the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 11. Stage Two Restrictions will remain in effect above the North Rim of the Canyon.

Fire restrictions are lifted because the region received significant moisture over the past week and due to continued precipitation in the forecast.

Coconino County will enter Stage Two Fire Restrictions at 12:01 a.m., July 4 above the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Stage Three restrictions will remain in effect for the rest of the County. 

This ordinance applies to unincorporated areas and residences in the County that are not under the jurisdiction of a fire district.

Stage Two Fire Restrictions prohibit any combustion, open fire and camp fires unless:

Coconino County Emergency Management, Yavapai County Emergency Management, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the Sedona Fire District will test the emergency siren system in Oak Creek Canyon at approximately 10 a.m. Thursday, June 28.

This system is designed to notify Oak Creek Canyon and Uptown Sedona residents of severe emergencies that require evacuation.

The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) confirmed today that a second fox in west Flagstaff has tested positive for rabies. The fox was in an area south of I- 40, east of I-17 and north of Zuni Drive in Flagstaff.

The fox was found and tested for rabies after residents walking in the area reported the animal attacked one of them. The individual is receiving post exposure rabies prophylaxis treatment. 

Management of the Tinder Fire will transition from the Type 1 Southwest Area Incident Management Team #1, (Bea Day, Incident Commander), to a local Type 3 Incident Management Team (Jeff Thumb, Incident Commander) starting at 6:00 am tomorrow, May 7.