In an effort to provide information to our citizens and guests in Navajo County we would like to provide the current Stage II Fire Restrictions. Below are the current actions that are prohibited:

STAGE II – Moderate Restrictions

The following acts are prohibited until further notice:

1. Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove including fires in developed campgrounds or improved sites.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
3. Discharging a firearm while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations.
4. Mechanical and Industrial Prohibitions:  Operating any internal combustion engine;  Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame;  Using an explosive.
5. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

Exemptions:

1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.

1. Industrial operations where specific operations and exemptions are identified and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.
2. Persons using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
3. Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.
4. Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails so long as you park in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.
5. Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.
6. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
7. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
8. All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated by city ordinance.
9. Discharging of firearms is allowed on agency designated shooting ranges.

An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

While all areas have some form of restrictions in place it is best to clarify with specific jurisdictions as there are variances between the multiple agencies through out the area.

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for Northern Arizona today and Thursday!  A combination of strong winds and low relative humidity’s can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph can be expected over the next two days.

Please remain vigilant of anything that could ignite a fire. Small sparks from a dragging chain, cigarettes carelessly disposed of and even pulling off of the side of the road on tall grasses can start a large fire very quickly!

Approximately 12:30 pm today numerous agencies were requested to respond to a reported structure fire located at 1001 N. 40th Street in Show Low, AZ. Upon arrival of the first responding fire crews declared this fire to be a working incident and that it was the piles of logs that were burning and not a structure. Initial reports are that the fire started in the engine compartment of an excavator that is used to unload logs from the trucks that bring them in from the forest. However the official cause of the fire is still under investigation.
In the initial stages of this fire there were approximately 28 fire apparatus that were either on scene or en route to the scene to assist with this incident. County, State and Federal resources were also utilized to control the incident. The fire quickly spread to an area behind three nearby propane storage/operation facilities. Several fire crews began immediate efforts to protect the 3 closest large propane storage tanks (approximately 10,000 gallons each) by setting up stationary monitors which sprayed water over these tanks to keep them cool. Several smaller tanks also in the same area heated up beyond the point that the pressure relief valves could contain thus allowing some of these tanks to off gas the remaining propane in these tanks. It did appear that the built in safety devices were effective in not causing these tanks to “BLEVE” (boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion). A Forest Service “SEAT” (single engine air tanker) which is stationed at the Show Low airport was used to drop several loads of fire retardant (slurry) on and near the area of the propane tanks in an effort to control the fire and cool them and allow fire crews to safely operate in the area.
All while these activities were taking place the Show Low Police Department and Navajo County Sheriff’s Deputies were evacuating the businesses that were potentially in harm’s way. Highway 60 was also shut down from traffic use from the Highway 77 intersection to the Bourden Ranch Road intersection.
No employees or firefighters were injured during this fire. Unconfirmed reports from the staff at the pellet plant advised that approximately 10,000 tons of product (logs) burned in this fire.
Operations to extinguish this fire will continue throughout the night with personnel from the Fire Districts and plant employees this could extend for the next few days.

Brent Mix Captain/PIO Show Low Fire
Kirk Webb Fire Marshal/PIO Lakeside Fire