monsoon

Governor Doug Ducey proclaimed this week, June 14 - 20, 2020 Monsoon Awareness Week to highlight the importance of staying safe during monsoon season and preparing for unsafe weather conditions, including high winds, dust storms, hail, flooding and lightning.

Arizona’s monsoon season begins mid-June and lasts through the end of September. Monsoons are created when moisture meets with the summer heat and humidity increases, and can cause thunderstorms that lead to localized flash flooding and dust storms that reduce visibility.  

Visibility detectors. A weather radar system. Variable speed limit signs. Closed-circuit cameras. Overhead message boards.

These technologies clustered along 10 miles of Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson are now operating as an innovative dust detection and warning system that’s ready to quickly tell drivers to slow down for safety when windblown dust reduces visibility.

The Ikes Fire continues to grow despite the minimal amount of moisture received from recent storms. The fire is approximately 58 acres. 

Over the past two decades, there has been minimal to no fire activity in the northeast section of the current planning area. The lack of fire activity has lead to build up of vegetation which creates a higher fuel load for future fires moving through the area. Yesterday the fire moved into this area and fire managers anticipate fire activity will increase depending on the amount of precipitation = received.

Yesterday, containment of the Museum Fire reached 61%, extending the established containment line south of Dry Lake Hills east to Mount Elden Lookout Road and Brookbank Trail. Firing operations were conducted on the slopes of Little Elden Mountain to manage interior pockets of active fire.

Recent monsoonal activity in the region resulted in several new lightning ignited fires on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park over the past several days. Fire crews are actively working to suppress three fires within Grand Canyon National Park.

The Lindbergh Fire near Lindbergh Hill is being directly suppressed. Approximately 2 acres in size, current fire behavior is creeping and smoldering within mixed conifer. Fire crews are working to contain the fire at the smallest possible size by digging handline around the fire's perimeter.

Due to the Museum Fire, the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County are urging the public to take precautions during this Monsoon season.

Officials are asking residents to take the following steps and to ensure they are aware of available services during potential flooding events:

he Northern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the request of the Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management at Mayer High School at 17300 E. Mule Deer Drive, in Mayer, AZ due to flooding.  Evacuees may come to the high school for shelter, food and information.  An update will follow as needed.

Visitors to Mt. Graham are advised to use extra caution due to monsoonal storms and increased potential for flooding.

Heavy rainfall may cause downstream flooding of streams, canyons, roads and trails during and after storms. On Mt. Graham, runoff and flooding may be accelerated from the burn scar of the 2017 Frye Fire, as vegetative cover has been lost and water, soil, rocks and woody debris may move swiftly downslope without warning.

Continuing monsoonal moisture has allowed fire officials on the Kaibab National Forest to consider two new lightning caused wildfires on the Tusayan Ranger District for the potential of benefiting forest health objectives and community protection.