Holbrook, AZ- The White Mountain Fire Coordinating group met today
to discuss current conditions of the forest as well as the surrounding
communities and have made the decision to enter into Stage 2 fire restrictions
due to an increase in temperatures and continued drying conditions. The
following actions were determined:
The
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest will enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
beginning Friday, June 21, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
State Trust
lands and BLM will enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning Friday, June 21,
2024 at 8:00 a.m.
Navajo and Apache Counties will
enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning Friday, June 21, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
The cities/towns of Show Low and
Pinetop-Lakeside will enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on Friday, June 21, 2024
at 8:00 a.m.
Fort Apache will enter Stage 2
Fire Restrictions on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
Please remember, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions apply to EVERYONE, to include both visitors and local residents.
Though Stage 2
Fire Restrictions are similar across each jurisdiction, we recommend that
everyone review the restrictions ahead of time- Know Before You Go! For a list of
fire restrictions in each jurisdiction, please go to 311info.net and click on
the Fire Restrictions tab or contact your local fire department/district. The
311info.net website will also be used to provide information on regional fires
and emergencies as they occur.
Other locations around Arizona, such as Coconino and Tonto Forests (and more) are also entering into fire restrictions. It is your responsibility to know restrictions wherever you choose to recreate. To check restrictions around the state visit the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention website at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions.
ST JOHNS, AZ-
On Monday, June 3, 3024, the White Mountain Fire Coordinating Group Voting
Members met to discuss the current conditions of the forests throughout the
region. The group, composed of representatives from federal and state forestry,
BLM, BIA, Tribal, County, and local emergency response agencies, unanimously
decided that current forest conditions warrant Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. The
decision to enter restrictions was made by reviewing a number of factors, including
fire potential outlook, energy release components (ERC’s), weather forecasts,
local resources, and more.
Beginning Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 8:00 a.m., the
unincorporated areas of Apache and Navajo County, the Apache-Sitgreaves
National Forest, State Trust Land, the City of Show Low, the Towns of Pinetop
and Lakeside will enact Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.
Under Stage 1 Fire
Restrictions The following acts are prohibited until further notice:
Building, maintaining,
attending, or using a fire or campfire (unless noted in the exemptions below).
Smoking outside of designated areas.
Use of any and all
fireworks.
Use of explosive
targets.
Use of tracer round
ammunition.
Exemptions: An exemption does
not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for
any fire started by the exempted activity.
Persons obtaining a
written “Special Use Permit” from the “Authority Having Jurisdiction” that
specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
Fires used only for
the cooking of food or for providing warmth for human beings or for
recreational purposes (campfires and charcoal fires) in an area that is
designated for that purpose and is barren or cleared of all debris for 3 feet
in diameter around the device. Permissible items include propane fire rings,
pellet stoves/smokers/grills that have UL or FM approval and are a contained
unit. A person of appropriate age must maintain a presence at all times when in
operation.
Smoking within enclosed
buildings and inside vehicles is allowed. Smoking may also be allowed in or on
porches, carports, garages, parking lots and other areas or properties which
are cleared of all combustible materials so long as the smoking does not create
a substantial risk of fire and all smoking materials are properly extinguished
and disposed of. At no time is it allowed to discard lit cigarettes, cigars, or
other smoking materials from a vehicle, or from ones’ possession in a public
place. ARS 13-1603.a.1
Persons using a
device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and
off. Such devices with UL and/or FM approval 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. A person of appropriate age must always maintain a
presence with the device when in operation.
Persons conducting
activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically
authorized by written posted notice.
Emergency repair of
public utilities and railroads as per attached conditions.
Any Federal, State,
or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the
performance of an official duty.
All land within a
city boundary is exempt unless otherwise stated by city ordinance.
Other exemptions
unique to each “Authority Having Jurisdiction”.
“Fire restrictions
are precautionary measures that help prevent human-caused wildfires and
unnecessary dangers to first responders,” Navajo County Emergency Manager,
Catrina Jenkins said. “With conditions as dry as they are, and no significant
projected moisture for relief, this is the right time to enter restrictions.”
Although the region
received snow/rain over the winter/spring, the moisture does not mean that fire
restrictions are not necessary as the summer temperatures heat up. “Fire is a
year-round threat to our region and our citizens and visitors must remain
vigilant,” said Jenkins. Even with warnings from forest experts, some residents
and visitors may still feel that the restrictions do not apply to them. Jenkins
clarified that “restrictions apply to everyone, full-time/part-time residents
as well as visitors, and no one is exempt from these rules”.
Show Low, AZ -The Navajo County Public Health Services District (NCPHSD) is alerting
the public of rabid animals across the region. Since January 18th there
have been four instances of wild foxes approaching and attacking humans in the
Show Low, Pinetop/Lakeside area. Navajo County Animal Care and Control was able
to trap two infected animals and send their remains to the state lab for
testing. The lab did confirm that the remains were positive for rabies. Navajo
County Animal Care is continuing an active search for any remaining infection.
Rabies is a
preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid
animal. Most of the rabies cases that are reported each year occur in wild
animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, although any mammal can get
rabies.
NCPHSD
stresses that a bite from a rabid animal can be potentially fatal if
not treated in a timely manner. The public should take precautions to
avoid contact with wildlife as well as stray domesticated animals such as cats
or dogs throughout the region.
NCPHSD also
reminds the public to make sure that rabies vaccinations are up-to-date for
pets and any valuable livestock or horses for whom a rabies vaccine is
available. If a pet is exposed to a high-risk wild animal such as a bat, skunk,
raccoon, fox or coyote contact a veterinarian immediately.
Rabies is a
virus that affects the nervous system (brain and nerves). People can get
rabies after being bitten by an infected animal. Rabies can also be
contracted when saliva or spit from a rabid animal gets directly into a
person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. If you have been bitten by
any animal or had contact with the saliva of a wild animal, seek immediate
medical attention. Rabies treatment, if needed, must begin quickly.
The signs
and symptoms of a rabies infection in humans include those that are similar to
the flu, such as weakness, discomfort, fever, or headache. There also may be
discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. These
symptoms may last for days. Symptoms then progress to cerebral (brain) dysfunction,
anxiety, confusion, and agitation. As the disease progresses, the person may
experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of
water), and insomnia. This period of disease usually lasts two to ten days.
Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal.
The signs
and symptoms of rabies in animals can vary. Symptoms in animals are often
similar to those in humans. An animal does not have to be aggressive or exhibit
other symptoms to have rabies. Changes in any animal’s normal behavior
can be early signs of rabies. For instance, a bat that is active during the
day, found on the ground, or is unable to fly may be rabid.
The
following tips can help prevent the spread of rabies:
Do not have physical contact with stray or wild animals.
Never bring stray or wild animals into your home. Do not try to nurse sick
wild animals back to health. Call animal control for assistance.
Do not feed
or unintentionally attract stray or wild animals with open garbage cans or
litter.
Ensure that your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccine.
Keep pets on a leash while recreating in the outdoors.
Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even
if they appear friendly.
Maintain homes and other building to prevent unwanted animals from
getting inside.
A bite from a bat is difficult to detect; therefore, if you find a bat in
your home, do not release the bat back to the outdoors until speaking with
animal control or public health officials as the bat may need to be captured
for rabies testing to determine if you need rabies treatment.
To report a
bite from a wild animal or an animal acting suspicious, contact the Navajo
County Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (928)-524-4050.
