Join Smokey and his friends for a birthday celebration!

Saturday, August 9, 2014
11:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Bashas in Eagar, Arizona

Most of us are thinking about retirement at 70, if we haven’t already retired, but Smokey Bear is still going strong!

Smokey first appeared as the mascot of the U.S. Forest Service on Aug. 9, 1944, and will celebrate his 70th birthday locally this Saturday at the Eagar Gazebo next to Bashas at 150 N Main, Eagar, AZ.

“Only you can prevent forest fires!” was Smokey’s slogan for more than 50 years, until “forest fires” was changed to “wildfires” in 2001 to recognize that many resources are damaged by fire every year. The campaign remains one of the most widely recognized in the United States.

Smokey and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Supervisor’s Office and Springerville Ranger District employees will be on hand for photos and handing out Smokey memorabilia from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

To take the Smokey Bear pledge and join in the campaign, go to http://www.smokeybear.com/ for more information.

8/2/14  @ 8:45

News from the National Weather Service, Flagstaff: Flash Flood Watch

PRIMARY IMPACTS and TIMING:

A low pressure system will move into northern Arizona later this afternoon enhancing shower and thunderstorm activity through the afternoon and overnight hours. Wind flow will be light and heavy rain from storms that develop will tend to move slowly across the landscape. The combination of these weather factors will increase the risk for flash flooding across the state and a flash flood watch has been issued as a result. We have a high degree of confidence in the timing of the excessive rainfall threat which may lead to flash flooding. Flash flood location impacts may vary due to typical uncertainties in the smaller scale thunderstorm development.

Saturday and Sunday:

Deep tropical moisture and instability are spread across Arizona today, while a seasonably strong low pressure system over Baja and large trough extending east to El Paso Texas moves slowly northward into Arizona. This low pressure system will be the spark to the fuel of the atmospheric instability, and enhance shower and thunderstorm development through the afternoon and overnight hours.

7/31/14 8:00 – The McGuire Fire is now at 21.5 acres with no containment however, there are no structures threatened by this fire. Smoke may be visible from Highway 260 in the Forest Lakes area in the Black Mesa Ranger District.