THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FLAGSTAFF HAS ISSUED A* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR…

 WEST CENTRAL NAVAJO COUNTY IN NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA…

* UNTIL 430 PM MST

* AT 125 PM MST…DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING 

 VERY HEAVY RAIN ACROSS THE WARNED AREA…FROM WINSLOW SOUTH ALONG 

 HIGHWAY 87 TO NEAR MILE POST 330. UP TO TWO AND A HALF INCHES OF 

 RAIN HAVE ALREADY FALLEN JUST SOUTH OF WINSLOW. FLASH FLOODING IS 

 OCCURRING FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF WINSLOW SOUTHWARD. LAW 

 ENFORCEMENT REPORTS FLOODING ALONG ROUTE 87…AND AN UNDERPASS IS 

 FLOODED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WINSLOW.

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE…

 WINSLOW.

THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING STREAMS AND DRAINAGES…CLEAR CREEK…

CHEVELON CANYON…JACKS CANYON…LITTLE COLORADO RIVER AND COTTONWOOD

WASH.

THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS… STATE ROUTE 87 BETWEEN MILE 

MARKERS 330 TO WINSLOW. STATE ROUTE 99 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 35 TO 

WINSLOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND NOW. ACT QUICKLY TO PROTECT YOUR LIFE.

TURN AROUND…DONT DROWN WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED ROADS. MOST FLOOD

DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. NEVER DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS

WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. FLOOD WATERS ARE USUALLY DEEPER

THAN THEY APPEAR. JUST ONE FOOT OF FLOWING WATER IS POWERFUL ENOUGH

TO SWEEP VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD.

July 15, 2015; — The Springerville Ranger District Fire Management fire crews will be burning slash piles southwest of Big Lake today.

The 20-30 piles encompass a 200 acre area and are remnants from the Wallow West salvage sale. Smoke will disperse towards Big Lake during ignition today and will settle in local drainages overnight.

Pile burns require more moisture in the surrounding vegetation and are usually conducted when snow is on the ground or after considerable rain. Piles consist of the slash from forest thinning projects, which include small logs and branches. Pile burning usually produces less smoke than broadcast burns.

Questions or concerns contact Cary Stock, Springerville Ranger District Assistant Fire Management Officer at (928) 333-6351 or by calling 311 or 928-333-3412. Also, check out the ASNFs website at: www.fs.usda.gov/asnf

###

7/13/2015 – West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus found throughout the United States. It is the most commonly occurring mosquito-borne disease in the Arizona. Only about 1 in 5 people who are infected with West Nile virus will show disease symptoms. The other 4 in 5 people will stay symptom free. The virus can cause illness in people, horses, certain types of birds, and other animals. Culex (Cue-lex) mosquitoes are the main carriers of West Nile virus, and these mosquitoes are common throughout Arizona. People become infected with West Nile virus from the bite of an infected mosquito. Currently there is no vaccine available to protect people against West Nile Virus. WNV illness in dogs and cats is rare. Horses are also susceptible to WNV infection but a vaccine is available through veterinarians. Contact your veterinarian for information about pets and livestock.
People of all ages can get sick from West Nile virus infection, although the chance of becoming seriously ill is low. Persons over the age of 50 are generally at a higher risk for serious illness. The majority of people that are infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms or only a mild illness. Approximately 20 percent of infected people will have “flu-like” symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, swollen glands and muscle weakness. Symptoms can last for days or weeks. In rare cases, West Nile virus can cause more serious conditions such as encephalitis and/or meningitis. Signs and symptoms might include high fever, headache, confusion, disorientation, seizures, muscle weakness, and coma. Symptoms generally occur three to 15 days following the bite of an infected mosquito.
In Arizona, mosquito-borne viruses are most likely to be spread from April through October during the peak of mosquito activity. West Nile virus activity can occur anywhere in the State. You do not need to be tested unless you develop West Nile virus symptoms. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection. As with other viral illnesses, supportive care and symptomatic therapy are given. If you’re worried you might be infected with West Nile virus please contact your healthcare provider. They can discuss your medical concerns with you in more detail.
The most effective ways to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes include:
• Wearing insect repellent when outdoors and at all times of day. Be sure to apply it according to the package instructions, and always apply after sunscreen.
• Wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors at all times a day, when possible.
The most effective ways to protect your home and by extension, you and your family, from mosquitoes includes the following:
If you do chose to open the windows and doors ensure that they have intact screens installed-
• Keep your yard clean and clear from debris, this reduces the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs. Make sure to dump or cover all water holding containers regularly. Mosquitoes can lay their eggs in almost any standing water.
• If you have any standing water that can’t be dumped, such as pools, ponds, etc., be sure to treat those with the appropriate chemicals. This will stop mosquitoes from laying eggs on your property.
For more information, please visit www.311info.net and the Apache County Public Health Services District’s Facebook page. This message will be updated as information changes, so please call back.