Flagstaff

After many years of public input, as well as collaboration with partner agencies and surrounding communities, the Coconino National Forest released its revised Forest Plan that will provide management guidance for its nearly two million acres for the next 10 to 15 years.

Coconino National Forest will temporarily close six large areas to public access beginning Wednesday (May 23) at 8 a.m. due to fire danger and for public safety.

The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) confirmed today that a fox tested positive for rabies. The fox was found in a wooded area north of Interstate 40, west of Milton Road and south of University Ave. in west Flagstaff.

The fox was captured and tested after residents walking in the area reported the animal attacked their dog and bit them when they intervened. The individuals are receiving post exposure rabies prophylaxis treatment.

Elden Tower lookout reported seeing smoke at approximately 1:30 p.m. today just west of Flagstaff and resources responded to the Facility Fire located near A-1 Mountain 2 to 3 miles west of Flagstaff. Cause is unknown at this time and under investigation.

Resources on scene include the following (comprised of approximately 50-60 personnel):

The potential for increased wildfire activity still exists throughout the Tinder Fire area, as windy and dry conditions will increase and existing pockets of fuel such as logs and stumps continue to burn within the fire perimeter and some segregated canyon areas.

Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano, and Wupatki National Monuments will join the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests in implementing Stage II Fire Restrictions beginning Friday, May 4, 2018.

Stage II fire restrictions within the Flagstaff National Monuments prohibits:

Coconino County will be entering Stage Two Fire Restrictions at 8 a.m. on May 4. The restrictions will be enacted for all of Coconino County up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors will be holding an emergency Tinder Fire recovery and re-entry planning meeting today at 3:30 p.m. in the Board Chambers at 219 E. Cherry Ave. Flagstaff, Ariz.

Due to increasing fire danger and for public safety, the entire Coconino and Prescott National Forests, as well as the South Kaibab portion of the Kaibab National Forest, will implement Stage II Fire Restrictions effective this Friday (May 4) at 8 a.m. The North Kaibab portion of the Kaibab National Forest will remain unaffected for now.

A brush fire has closed Interstate 40 westbound at milepost 225.5 between Winslow and Flagstaff, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

There is no estimated time to reopen westbound lanes. Eastbound lanes remain open.