Interstate 17

Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct pile burns starting today in several areas taking advantage of today's wind changes to prevent smoke impacts on our communities.
 
These burns are part of the thinning projects planned on the Flagstaff Ranger District, Mogollon Rim Ranger District and the Red Rock Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire treatment to protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

With a major winter storm forecast by the National Weather Service to create “difficult to impossible” driving conditions in Arizona’s high country while dumping heavy rain elsewhere from Wednesday evening into Friday, drivers should heed this warning by leaving prepared, slowing down and being ready to put off travel while snow is falling.

A brush fire burning near Interstate 17 between Sunset Point and Cordes Lakes is causing significant delays for northbound traffic, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The right lane is closed at milepost 256 to accommodate fire crews. There is about an 8-mile backup starting south of Sunset Point and ending south of Cordes Lakes.

Stage 1 campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented on most of the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest starting on Friday (June 2) at 8 a.m.

The restrictions apply only to specific areas of the Red Rock Ranger District, including the national forest land in the Verde Valley on the east side of the Verde River, Oak Creek Canyon, lower Sycamore Canyon, lower West Clear Creek, Fossil Creek and Bullpen. The area southeast of Interstate 17, east of Forest Road 618, and north of Forest Road 214 is not included.

Update (June 28, 2016 at 9:27 p.m.)

Red Cross volunteers are closing the shelter opened earlier today for the Bug Creek Wildfire evacuees in the Cordes Junction area.  If anyone is still in need of assistance please call the Red Cross 24-Hour Emergency Services number at 1-800-842-7349 .  Current road conditions at www.az511.gov.

Update (June 28, 2016 at 6:05 p.m.) 

Update (June 28, 2016 at 9:31 p.m.)

One lane of Interstate 17 northbound has reopened south of Cordes Junction, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The highway has been closed intermittently throughout the day because of a wildfire in the area.

The right lane on I-17 northbound will remain closed from Sunset Point to State Route 69 (mileposts 251-262). The right lane closure is expected to be in place overnight.

The southbound lanes of I-17 are also open.

A brush fire has closed Interstate 17 southbound about 1 mile north of the Sunset Point Rest Area, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The closure is at milepost 255, which is about eight miles south of Cordes Junction.

There is no estimated time to reopen southbound lanes. Northbound lanes of I-17 remain open.

For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at www.az511.gov or call 511. 

The Sunset Fire is burning in grass along Interstate 17 near mile marker 248, north of Black Canyon City.

The fire is reported to be 50 to 80 acres in size.

Resources responding to the incident include 1 air attack, 1 type 3 helicopter and 6 engines. An airtanker and lead plane are on order.

Interstate 17 is now open in both directions south of Flagstaff.

The closure on Friday morning was for police activity near I-17 at Newman Park Road where the Arizona Department of Public Safety safely disposed of hazardous materials that were best destroyed in place.

For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at www.az511.gov.