Yavapai Broadcasting: Bridging Communities Across Northern Arizona's Airwaves

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah, Ariz. – The Bridge Creek Fire, which is burning on Navajo Mountain approximately 5 miles from Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is located on Navajo Nation lands and is approximately 800 acres in size. Aircraft supporting firefighters on the incident will be using Lake Powell to refill buckets and tanks to aid in the firefighting effort. The aircraft using Lake Powell will consist of helicopters and fixed-wing Super Scoopers (amphibious aircraft). Glen Canyon rangers will be providing vessel support during aircraft operations on the lake. Until further notice, boaters are advised to remain toward the south wall of the canyon and to avoid Oak Bay as they are traversing between Dangling Rope to Rainbow Bridge. Recreation in the main channel should be limited to transit only. Boaters need to monitor marine radio channel 16. A temporary flight restriction is also in place for public safety during aerial operations. The Bureau of Indian Affairs Navajo Region Fire Management, Navajo Division of Public Safety, and Navajo Division of Emergency Management are leading the fire response, with Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Park Rangers supporting the aviation operation within the recreation area. For more information on the Bridge Creek Fire, please visit the BIA-Navajo Region Facebook Page. For updates on conditions and potential impacts to recreation on Lake Powell, visit Glen Canyon Alerts.  https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Coconino County will expand fire restrictions in coordination with the Kaibab National Forest. Stage 2 restrictions will take effect on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. for all unincorporated areas within the boundaries of the Williams Ranger District. At this time, unincorporated areas surrounding the Tusayan and North Kaibab Ranger Districts will remain outside of fire restrictions.   This expansion joins the Coconino National Forest, City of Flagstaff, City of Sedona, State Lands, and all surrounding unincorporated areas of Coconino County.   Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Decisions about fire restrictions are a collaborative effort with area land management entities and are based on a combination of carefully measured factors. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought, and available firefighting resources.   During Stage 2 restrictions igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire fueled by combustible materials such as wood, charcoal, briquettes, and/or coal is strictly prohibited. Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed only in a developed site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or a developed site. Additional prohibitions include the use of internal combustion engines for common household-only activities, such as landscaping or property maintenance and repair unless they are equipped with a spark arresting device. Stage 2 also prohibits welding and/or the use of acetylene or other torch with an open flame. The use of tracer or incendiary rounds of ammunition or explosive targets is also strictly prohibited.   A developed site is defined in the County’s Wildfire Defense Ordinance as an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding vegetation and combustible materials within a 15 foot radius of the device.   The public is reminded to always be extra cautious when recreating on public lands, regardless of restrictions. Violations could result in fines and/or jail time.   For information on Coconino County’s Stage 1, 2, and 3 fire restrictions please visit: www.coconino.az.gov/firerestrictions.

Due to increased fire danger and for public safety, the Kaibab National Forest will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions on the Williams Ranger District beginning 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 18.  Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the following: Building, maintaining, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal, coal, and briquettes, even in developed recreation sites. This includes smudge pots, pellet grills, and wood stoves. The only exception is using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels. Smoking (except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material). Blasting, welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame. During the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting during industrial operations or firewood gathering capable of igniting a fire. An exception is allowed for operating generators with an approved spark arrestor in an area barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the generator. Restrictions and closures typically remain in effect until the area receives significant, widespread precipitation. For information on restrictions and other alerts on the Kaibab National Forest visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab/alerts.

To improve pedestrian access and safety in the Harmony neighborhood, on Monday, June 23, 2025, the city of Sedona and their contractor, Pronghorn Services, will begin construction of a new shared-use path (SUP) along Andante Drive. Work will occur Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is expected to be complete in early 2026. Please be aware of lane restrictions and construction equipment along the project corridor. The project team will coordinate further with residents who are directly impacted by construction efforts. This new 10-foot wide SUP will begin at State Route 89A on the west side of Andante Drive, cross the road via a raised crosswalk just south of Lyric Drive, and continue north on the east side of Andante Drive to Thunder Mountain Road. There will be two speed humps installed along Andante Drive to keep vehicle speeds low. Additional work includes drainage improvements and the installation of underground conduit for future utilities use. Residents reached out to city staff expressing their desire for safe walking and biking in the Andante neighborhood. This included parallel streets of Andante Drive, Concord Drive, Harmony Drive and Windsong Drive. City staff conducted meetings and surveys with the neighborhood to determine where a SUP would best meet the residents’ needs. The project is moving ahead after many years of planning and support from residents and the community. A SUP is an off-street path designed to serve non-motorized travelers like bicyclists, pedestrians and families pushing strollers for both recreation and transportation. This SUP is part of the Sedona in Motion effort. To learn more about this project’s background, visit www.andantesup.com. For questions and additional project information, call the Project Hotline at (928) 852-4164.

The Cottonwood Airport Commission will not be holding their regular meeting on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Cottonwood Council Chambers – Riverfront, 1083 E. River Front Road, Cottonwood, Arizona. The Commission will receive comments from the public. Those wishing to address the Commission need not request permission in advance. A three-minute limit per commenter will be observed. However, the Commission cannot engage in discussion regarding any item that is not officially listed on the agenda for discussion and/or action. For questions or inquiries, please contact Rodney Propst, Airport Manager, at rpropst@cottonwoodaz.gov or 928-340-2722.

On the evening of Friday, June 13, 2025, at approximately 10:30 PM, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a missing person at a dispersed camping area known as the “Edge of the World,” located at the southern end of Woody Mountain Road. Deputies learned that a 32-year-old female camper had left her campsite and was believed to have descended into a nearby side canyon but had not returned. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue teams immediately initiated search efforts, including a nighttime technical descent into the canyon. Despite extensive efforts, the missing woman was not located overnight. Search operations continued through Saturday with support from multiple agencies, including the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, ground searchers, search dogs, aerial support from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, and Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) Air Rescue helicopters. When efforts on Saturday yielded no new clues, additional resources were called in to expand the search on Sunday. The operation continued with personnel from the Arizona DPS Air Rescue, Coconino, Yavapai, and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue units. Despite these efforts, no further signs of the missing woman were discovered, and plans were made to intensify the search on Monday. The Coconino County Search and Rescue team once again descended into the canyon and successfully located the missing individual around 12:00 PM on Monday. She was found dehydrated and suffering from minor injuries. Emergency medical care was provided at the scene, and a coordinated airlift was initiated. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit responded with a Super Huey helicopter and performed a hoist rescue. The woman was flown to the Sedona Airport, where Sedona Fire Department personnel transported her to Verde Valley Medical Center for further treatment. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere gratitude to all partner agencies involved in this multi-day, multi-agency effort. The successful outcome was made possible by the dedication, coordination, and expertise of emergency responders from across the state. At this time, no further information is available.

After consulting with local County Emergency Managers and District Rangers, it has been determined that effective Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Sedona Fire District (SFD) is moving into Stage II Fire Restrictions. Sedona Fire District joins Coconino County, Yavapai County, Coconino National Forest, and other local fire jurisdictions in this action. These restrictions prohibit all solid-fueled open fires, fire pits, and campfires. During the fire restrictions, no burn permits will be issued, and existing burn permits are hereby suspended. Fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays are prohibited unless permitted by the Fire Marshal. These restrictions also prohibit the outdoor use of equipment that generates sparks or open flames, such as welding equipment, grinders, and chainsaws. Commercial operators may apply for a hot work permit through the Fire Marshal’s Office. Cooking on propane grills and the use of UL-listed, natural gas or propane flame-producing heating/warming appliances is still allowed, provided that the appliance is located at least 10 feet from combustible materials. Cooking devices that do not generate sparks or open flames are allowed only at private residences, so long as they are covered with a tight-fitting lid clear of all surrounding flammable materials. PROHIBITED: No fires, campfires, charcoal, coal, and wood stoves. (except using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum, LPG, or LNG fuels and that can be immediately turned off, extinguishing the flame without residual combustion, are allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device). The use of wood and charcoal in an enclosed device to cook at one- and two-family dwellings and at fixed restaurant sites is allowed. • Smoking in public (except within an enclosed vehicle or building). • Using an explosive • Fireworks – Possessing, discharging, or using any fireworks or pyrotechnic device. • Outdoor welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame without a hot work permit. Hot work permits shall be revoked during periods of Red Flag Warnings. • Combustion Engine – Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order. (Does not include motor vehicles and is intended for things such as landscaping tools). • Discharging firearms, air rifles, or gas guns (except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal or tribal laws or regulations). • Off-road – Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads (Vehicles must stay on open Forest Roads and cannot drive/park over any vegetation at any time). ALLOWED: • The use of indoor fireplaces • Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) or Natural Gas (LNG) grills, fireplaces, and appliances that can be immediately turned off, extinguishing the flame without residual combustion • Cooking with charcoal or wood on private property in an appliance with a tight-fitting lid. The lid must be in place while cooking. • The use of power equipment on private property for the purpose of landscaping, fuel mitigation, etc. A spark arrester must be in place, and a fire watch shall be posted for 30 minutes after cessation of work. Operators shall be equipped with a means to extinguish Residents are encouraged to exercise caution and good judgment. Sedona Fire District may establish additional requirements, up to and including the extinguishment of any fire, the revocation of any permit, and a ban on chainsaws or other equipment on a case-by-case basis to ensure the public health, safety and welfare. Please contact the Fire Marshal at 928-204-8926 if you have any questions.

The following lane restrictions will be in place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, June 20: Northbound SR 89A will be narrowed to one lane near Brewer Road (milepost 374). Drivers should be prepared to slow down or come to a complete stop when approaching and driving through the work zone. The speed limit will be reduced in the work zone. Restrictions will be lifted after work hours. The restrictions are needed so crews can safely complete drainage maintenance work along SR 89A.

6/13 Prescott will begin another pavement preservation project next week on several streets.