Springerville, AZ; October 23, 2012 — Within the next month, weather permitting, fire managers on the Springerville Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests will begin broadcast burning approximately 1,500 acres near Coon Mountain, which is about 5 miles southeast of the community of Vernon and 20 miles northwest of Springerville and Eagar.

Fire managers plan to minimize smoke impacts by targeting burn days with a forecasted south or southwest wind, which should transport smoke out of the area. Ignition will take 3 to 4 working days; while mop-up and patrol of the burn could last as long as a week after ignition is completed. Smoke may impact local communities and travelers on U.S. Highway 60 until there is enough precipitation over the area to completely extinguish the fire.

The prescribed burn is a part of the Mineral Project Area and is being conducted in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, using Title II funds recommended by the Eastern Arizona Resource Advisory Committee. The primary objectives for this burn are to reduce hazardous ground fuels, maintain the open forest composition created from past thinning treatments under the White Mountain Stewardship contract, and enhance wildlife habitat by increasing desirable browse species, particularly winter range for elk. In the past, frequent low-intensity fires occurred in this area and helped shape a more open forest by removing small trees and brush that encroached upon open stands of timber. This intent of this prescribed burn is to mimic that natural fire process.

For more information about the burn, please contact the Springerville Ranger District Office at (928) 333-6200. Specific questions can be directed to Rob Lever, Fire Management Officer for the district.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:        September 20, 2012

Navajo and Apache County Public Health Officials Issue Joint Plague Health Advisory

Navajo and Apache County Public Health officials have jointly issued a Health Advisory regarding Plague found in dead prairie dogs in Apache County.  The prairie dogs were found ten miles east of the Navajo/Apache county line near mile post 362 on state route 61 and tests conducted at a Northern Arizona University laboratory returned positive for Plague.

Area residents have been notified of the situation and the prairie dog burrows have been dusted with insecticide to kill fleas.  The area will be closely monitored to determine if further action is required.

The positive test is the first evidence of Plague activity reported in Apache County this year.  Although this is the only location in Apache County where Plague has been found this year, the disease may be more widespread.  The public is urged to take precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to this serious disease.

Plague is a disease of rodents and rabbits, and sometimes, of the predators that feed upon these animals.  The disease can be transmitted to humans and other animals by the bite of an infected flea, or by direct contact with an infected animal.  The disease is curable with proper antibiotic therapy if diagnosed and treated early.

Symptoms in humans generally appear within two to six days following exposure and include: fever, chills, weakness, muscle pain, and swollen lymph glands (called “buboes”) in the groin, armpits, or limbs.  The disease can become systemic (spreading throughout the bloodstream) and/or pneumonic (affecting the lungs).

Persons living, hunting, working, camping or visiting in areas where Plague and /or rodents are known to be present are urged to take the following precautions to reduce their risk of exposure:

1. DO NOT HANDLE SICK OR DEAD ANIMALS.
2. HUNTERS SHOULD WEAR RUBBER GLOVES and other protection when cleaning and skinning wild animals.  Hunters who skin animals and come into contact with tissue or body fluids of an infected animal may become infected.
3. BE AWARE THAT CATS ARE HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO PLAGUE.  While cats can get sick from a variety of illnesses, a sick cat (especially one allowed to run at large outside) should receive care by a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment to reduce human exposure to Plague.
4. USE INSECT REPELLENT CONTAINING DEET when visiting or working in areas where Plague might be active or rodents might be present (Woodcutters, Hunters, Campers,  and Hikers).
5. 5.       PREVENT PETS FROM ROAMING LOOSE.   Pets can pick up the infected fleas of wild animals, and then pass the fleas to their human owner, which is one of the common ways for humans to contact Plague.  Cats with Plague can also pass the disease to humans directly through respiratory droplets.
6. 6.        DE-FLEA PETS ROUTINELY.  Contact your veterinarian for specific details.
7. 7.       AVOID EXPOSURE TO RODENT BURROWS AND FLEAS.
8. 8.       IN CASE OF ILLNESS (SYMPTOMS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED), SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY.

AT 836 AM MST/936 AM MDT/…

National Weather Service Doppler Radar Indicated A Band Of Moderate To Heavy Rain Affecting Most Of Apache County…Moving Toward The East At 15 Mph. The Heaviest Rain Should Move East Of The Area By Around 10 Am Mst. Rainfall Amounts Of One Half To One Inch Of Rain Have Occurred In Many Areas…With Additional Rainfall Likely Through 10 Am Mst.
At 820 Am Mst/920 Am Mdt…Law Enforcement Reported Route 15 Near Mile Post 84 Between Ganado And Indian Wells Was Closed Due To Flooding. Flooding Will Be Possible In Many Other Areas Of Apache And Far Eastern Navajo Counties This Morning. Street Flooding Was Also Reported In Saint Johns.
The Wallow Burn Area Is Included In This Advisory. Days Of Heavy Rain Have Created Saturated Soils…And Additional Rain This Morning May Cause Some Flooding…Including Near The Communities Of Nutrioso And Alpine.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions…
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. When Encountering Flooded Roads Make The Smart Choice…Turn Around…Dont Drown.
Excessive Runoff Will Cause Flooding Of Creeks…Roads…And Normally Dry Washes. The Heavy Rains Will Likely Trigger Rockslides… Mudslides…And Debris Flows In Steep Terrain…Especially Near Recent Burn Areas Including The Wallow Burn Area.