Sedona AZ (May 10, 2011)–The Sedona Fire Chief, Nazih M. Hazime asked the community to be aware that “We are quickly approaching Wildland Fire Season. Wildfire hazard rating is based on many factors. Those include, but not limited to, fire access to the property, surrounding vegetation, topography, structure construction, and available fire protection. The defensible zone around your home is a distance of thirty feet. Within the thirty feet zone we recommend thinning out and removing vegetation. If you do not have 30 feet of property next to your home, work with what you have.”
To protect your home from potential wildfires as well as make fall yard cleanup easier, the Sedona Fire District (SFD) is issuing no cost burn permits. Permits are required for any open burning in the fire district, and are currently available at the SFD’s business office at 2860 Southwest Drive in West Sedona between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. As always, extreme caution must be used.
Any time winds exceed ten miles an hour, open burning will not be allowed. Permit holders are required to telephone the SFD prior to starting a burn, and will be advised if the permits have been cancelled for that day due to weather. A complete list of conditions for burning is spelled out on the permit. Construction materials, all plastic material, brush larger than four inches in diameter, paper, cardboard, rubbish and garbage may not be burned.
Sedona Fire Chief, Nazih M. Hazime
Another option to remove vegetation the SFD is partnering with the City of Sedona, Waste Management, Village of Oak Creek Association, US Forest Services, and BSE Rents to host the annual Wildland Cleanup Program. This program is providing two sites for residents to a drop off waste vegetation. The dates are May 14 and 15, 2011 at Fire Station 3, 125 Slide Rock Road (Village of Oak Creek), and May 21 and 22, 2011 at Fire Station 4, 391 Forest Road (Uptown). The waste vegetation drop off times will be between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The SedonaEye.com Calendar of Events will provide you with further information.
Here are some steps you can take to protect your home from potential wildfires:
1. Reduce flammable vegetation, trees, and brush around your home.
2. Remove dead trees and prune low-hanging branches.
3. Cut grass and weeds regularly.
4. Relocate wood piles and leftover building materials away from structures.
5. Keep your roof and yard clean of pine needles, leaves, and debris.
“Remember, keeping your property clear from potential wildland fires protects you, your neighbors, and your community. Thank you for our efforts, keeping our community safe, and helping us to help you,” said Sedona Fire Chief Hazime. “I encourage any groups, homeowners associations, etc. to contact me for a personal visit to answer any questions or to give a presentation from the Sedona Fire District. Visit our website at www.sedonafire.org for more factual information.”
Pickett Fire Near Superior Evidence of Fire Risk:
FLORENCE – Pinal County Board of Supervisors’ Chairman Pete Rios said on Monday that the county is ready to provide support in fighting the Pickett Fire as needed.
“The Board of Supervisors is receiving regular updates on the status of the fire near Superior ,” Chairman Rios said. “We are ready to offer any help that is needed at this time. I am hoping the winds will calm, allowing the crews from the San Carlos Indian Reservation, Apache Junction Fire and Queen Valley Fire to get the upper hand on the fire.”
Rios added that he is grateful for the men and women who exhibit such bravery and commitment in fighting wildland fires. “It takes special training and incredible stamina to fight unpredictable wildland fires even in familiar terrain.”
Pinal County ’s Emergency Management Director, Lou Miranda, said the fire is an urgent reminder to avoid campfires, fireworks and open burning. Effective in May, Pinal County initiated a burn ban and suspended the issuance of burn permits due to the increased risk of fire.
“Low humidity, high winds and dry vegetation adds up to a significant fire danger,” Miranda stated. “This week, the State Forestry Division is issuing fire restrictions and I would urge everyone to check the Public Lands Information Center website for additional information. Also, I am urging everyone to put cigarettes out in ashtrays, extinguish fires immediately and avoid the use of fireworks. One small fire can get out of hand quickly, affecting our air quality, causing property damage and potentially affecting hundreds of lives. Wildfire risk is substantial, even in our desert environment.”
The Public Lands Information Center link is: http://publiclands.org/explore/?plicstate=AZ
May 10, 2011: Last night, Greer Lodge burned, a shocking loss to the Greer, Arizona community. Cabins and forest were spared. The cabins will remain open for business, said the Greer Lodge owner.
May 10, 2011: Fire fighters think they may be able to contain the Locust Fire soon. The fire has burned over 350 acres. Light rains are helping with containment efforts.
The Largest Forest Fire in Arizona History, the Wallow Fire – Special Request from the Native Americans, Apache, Navajo and Zuni tribes:
Hello everybody – as you can see on the news the Wallow fire in Northern Arizona is still uncontrollable and spreading.
The fire has destroyed everything in its path, over 1/2 million acres so far, the largest fire in Arizona history. Please join us in a tribal prayer to help the firefighters and all involved. Pray so the winds stop and the rains start (without lightning please) We want to pray for the safety of all. Ask for heavenly walls to protect our land and animals from fire. All the choppers, manpower, planes, and bulldozers are not enough, they need our help.
We are one Nation as Natives and our traditional prayers to the Creator as Natives can be pretty powerful; not only are our tribal lands at stake (White Mountain & San Carlos Apaches, possibly Zuni, and some Navajo areas), but our non-native friends also need our help.
Please let us all connect our minds, hearts and our prayers across the miles and pray. Wherever you are and whatever you have plan please stop for a few minutes and raise your hands to the Creator to ask for help.
If all of you can forward this message across the Nations, we can reach many thru phone and internet. Please start forwarding ASAP to reach as many as we can. Please if your spiritual preference is not traditional – pray with us in however way you talk to the Creator.
Thank you,
Dorothea Stevens, San Carlos Apache Nation and Lindy Nisbet
You send a lovely, sweet message, Dorothea Stevens. Please, please, please let us get through this 4th of July weekend without further disaster. No careless camp fires, fireworks, and tossed cigarettes. Damage cannot be undone. Think of forest wildlife as well as pets who end up being displaced when communities must evacuate. The thought of dry thunderstorms is scary enough without considering those folks who seems to think they are special and rules don’t apply to them.
Lovingly,
Harley McGuire