June 19, 2016
11:45 a.m.
NEWS RELEASE

Navopache Electric Cooperative Inc

1878 W White Mountain Blvd
Lakeside, AZ  85929
(928) 368-5118
Media Contact: Elizabeth Neal, 1-928-368-5118, Ext. 201

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Incident Commander has asked NEC to alerts its members located in Cibecue, Carrizo and Cedar Creek to prepare them for temporary loss of power.  NEC crews, as well as firefighting crews, have completed prep work around our poles feeding those communities to limit the damage in the event the fire continues to go that direction.  Should power be interrupted the Incident Commander does not feel at this time it will be for an extended amount of time; however, if you should lose power in your home here are a few tips: keep refrigerators and freezers closed unless absolutely necessary, close windows, window coverings and doors to preserve the cooler temperature in your home, have flashlights, water, medical necessities and food readily available. As always, safety is our primary concern, for the firefighters and our members, thank you for your cooperation at this time.

There is a fire burning around the Vernon area. Highway 60  between mile post 357 to 362 will be closed for at least 40 minutes. Fire crews are on scene with 2 engines and a dozer, and are getting control of it.

6/18/16 at 0836

Per Navajo County PIO:

“Current acreage 12,000 with 30% containment.  Crews are working on the dozer lines, and prep work is being done on contingency lines.”

All pre evacuation notices remain in effect for Showlow, Pinetop, Lakeside, Hondah and McNary.  The primary shelter in Snowflake is  located at the Snowflake High School at 190 S. 2nd W.  The animal shelter for large animals in Navajo County is located at 404 E. Hopi Dr. in Holbrook.  The small animals are sheltered at the Snowflake High School and is operated by the Humane Society.  The secondary shelter is located at Round Valley Middle School 126 W. 2nd street in Eagar.  The large animal shelter is located at the Apache County rodeo grounds off Hwy 180 and 260.  The small animal shelter is located at the Round Valley kennel.

For fire information  provided by the Type 1 team please refer to www.facebook.com/cedarfireinformation,  this is the primary source of information for this fire.  For future press briefings refer to your local TV,  radio and Phoenix news channels.

311 does not automatically update itself, you will need to refresh your page.  Please be mindful in your comments on 311 and Facebook. The volunteers that are working very hard to push out the information given at the time, are all residents of this community.  We will continue to post information as quickly as it is given to us.