monsoon

State Route 366 has reopened on Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona after a six-week closure due to the danger of flooding and debris flows after the Frye Fire, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The road, also known as Swift Trail, connects with US 191 about 20 miles south of Safford. It had been closed at Ladybug Saddle near milepost 131, but as of Thursday, Sept. 14, it’s open again to Columbine at milepost 143.

With strong monsoon storms forecast in much of Arizona going into the weekend, be ready to pull aside and wait out extreme weather.

Please heed this advice: Get off the highways when facing a dust storm. In almost no time, blowing dust can drop visibility to zero, especially where small dust channels afford drivers little or no opportunity to avoid this hazard.

Other tips from the Arizona Department of Transportation:

Unstable conditions caused by heavy rains following the Boundary Fire, which was active through much of June, have necessitated continuing the closure of the burned area on and around Kendrick Mountain on both the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests in order to ensure public safety.

The Pine Hollow wildfire received significant moisture yesterday, and as a result rain showers moderated fire behavior on the lightning-caused fire resulting in no growth in the last 24 hours. However, as the weekend approaches a drying trend is forecasted for the Kaibab Plateau, and with that trend fire managers anticipate smoke sightings to increase.

Fire personnel also responded to three new lightning-caused fires within the last 48 hours. There has been a total of 10 new lightning-caused starts on the North Zone within the last two weeks.

Location: Safford Ranger District, Coronado National Forest

The Coronado National Forest has received funding to implement the Burned Area Emergency Response plan submitted for the Frye Fire. This plan includes funding for aerial seeding of 1023 acres of the fire which burned at the high severity level. Also approved were projects to clear drainage channels of debris, provide road stabilization, and protection and safety measures for roads, trails, and developed sites within the fire area.

Tucson, Ariz. (July 19, 2017) Due to widespread precipitation across the area, additional rain in the weather forecast, and a rise in fuel moistures, it has been determined that the likelihood of wildfire has lessened to the degree that the restrictions can be rescinded.

The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs in coordination with Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management has opened an Individual Assistance Service Center for local residents who have been impacted by the floods over the past week. 

The center is located at the Mayer Rec Center 10001 S. Wicks Ave, Mayer AZ 86333 Hours of operation will be Saturday July 22nd, 2017 through Monday July 24th, 2017 from 9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. each day. 

Some of the organizations and agencies on site will be:

For public safety, the majority of the Frye Fire area on Mt. Graham remains closed.

PHOENIX – State Route 377 is closed in both directions between State Route 277 east of Heber-Overgaard and State Route 77 in Holbrook, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The closure is due to flooding.

Motorists can detour around the closure by taking State Route 77 southbound in Holbrook to US 60 westbound in Show Low to State Route 260. Those wishing to detour around the closure from eastbound SR 260 should follow the same detour in the reverse order.

Due to widespread precipitation across the area, additional rain in the weather forecast, and a rise in fuel moistures, it has been determined that the likelihood of wildfire has lessened to the degree that the restrictions can be rescinded.