Increased Rabies Activity Reported in Coconino County

(March 11, 2009 6:45 p.m.) A total of nine rabid foxes have been found in multiple locations in the Flagstaff area since November 2008. The increased rabies activity in the wild animal population in the Flagstaff area has prompted health officials to begin discussions regarding a possible rabies pet quarantine and vaccine bait distribution program.

Health officials are reminding the public to use caution while engaging inoutdoor activities and to always avoid any wild animal, particularly onethat appears to be sick, is dead, or is behaving in a strange manner.

The following precautions will help to reduce risk of exposure to rabies:
· Avoid any wild animals. People who feed or handle wild animals, and pets coming into contact with wild animals, risk possible exposure to rabies.
· If hiking with a dog, keep it on a leash no more than six feet in length. Do not let your dog wander freely on the trails as it could come into contact with a wild animal, increasing its risk of exposure to rabies.
· Bring a trekking pole or walking stick with you on your hikes throughout the Mt. Elden Trail System.

If you see a fox near you, turn around and go the other way. Do not run. Walk slowly and keep an eye on the fox to ensure it is not following you. If a fox runs at you, use your trekking pole or walking stick to stun the fox and move as quickly as you can out of the area. If you do not have anything with you to defend yourself, kick the fox and move out of the area. Remember normal behavior in a fox is shyness and avoiding any human or domestic interaction. If a fox is coming at you or at your dog something is wrong.

· Report any unusual behavior. Call Coconino County Healt Department Animal Management at 928-679-8756. After hours call the Sheriff’s Department at 928-774-4523 immediately. Be sure to give very specific directions to the person taking your information and a contact number so the officer can contact you.

· If you are bitten by a fox or other wild animal immediately go to the hospital and inform the staff of your situation. The hospital staff will contact the appropriate agency to collect the animal. Try to give specific directions to the agency investigator to ensure they can locate the animal.

· Have your pet vaccinated against rabies. Arizona State law requires all dogs to be properly vaccinated and licensed. It is also strongly recommended that cats be vaccinated against rabies.

For more information, call Coconino County Health Department AnimalManagement at (928) 679-8756.

(Source: Coconino County Health Department)

Tusayan Ranger District Lifts Closure on Some Roads

(March 11, 2009 - 12:42 p.m.) Warmer days and drier conditions have enabled managers on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest to open some previously closed forest roads.

Managers are lifting travel restrictions on Wednesday, March 11, on roads on the east side of state Highway 64 in the area known as Upper Basin. However, a gate remains closed at the Trash Dam to westbound traffic on Forest Road 307 toward Grand View Lookout.

The remaining roads east of Highway 64 outside the Upper and Lower Basin areas are still closed to protect the resources and provide for public safety. All roads on the west side of Highway 64, including Forest Road 328, are open.

Forest personnel are checking roads on a daily basis. As soon as conditions warrant, forest managers will continue to lift the temporary motor vehicle restrictions and reopen the roads to motorized travel.

Visitors to the area should contact the Tusayan Ranger District at (928) 638-2443 before traveling in order to verify weather and road conditions.

“We thank the public for your patience as we continue to assess conditions and reopen roads, said acting Tusayan District Ranger Tom Mutz. “We encourage visitors to use caution and also call ahead before planning your trip to the Tusayan Ranger District.”

(Source: Kaibab National Forest)

Hog Fire 100 Percent Contained

(March 9, 2009 – 6:55 p.m.) The Hog Fire is burning in Hog Canyon in the Peloncillo Mountains on the Coronado National Forest. It is 16,802 acres and is 100 percent contained.

Location
Douglas Ranger District, Coronado National Forest
Hog Canyon, Peloncillo Mountains
Nearest town: Douglas, AZ

Estimated Date of Containment
March 9, 2009

Cause
Human-caused, under investigation.

Resources Assigned
Miscellaneous overhead
1 Road grader

Fire Behavior
Fire received precipitation; no visible activity.

Strategy
Road rehabilitation.

(Source: Coronado National Forest)

Prescribed Burn Planned on Prescott National Forest

(March 9, 2009 – 3:30 p.m.) Prescott National Forest plans to burn 40 acres Wednesday, March 11 through Friday, March 13, 2009, approximately 4 miles south and west of the community of Cherry adjacent to State Highway 169.

Smoke will be visible from Highway 169 with possible road delays on County Road 75.

Specific days to burn are determined by current and expected weather patterns.

These projects are part of an ongoing effort to improve forest health by reintroducing fire into the ecosystem, reducing hazardous fuels, and create defensible space around residential and high use areas.

(Source: Prescott National Forest)

Winter Road Closures Still in Place on Coconino National Forest

(March 9, 2009 – 2:35 p.m.) With the snow quickly melting and spring break around the corner, many visitors are eager to spend time outdoors. While some areas are open to motorized use, many roads on the Coconino National Forest are still too wet to open, and seasonal closures will remain in place until roads are dry enough to sustain vehicular use.

During the winter, forest managers close many roads because they are not designed and maintained for all-weather traffic. Driving on wet forest roads, and driving off-road to avoid mud puddles, creates costly and sometimes irreversible damage to the natural resources. More importantly, doing so is unsafe for forest users.

As late winter weather continues and spring precipitation approaches, the forest will likely transition from winter road closures to the Wet Weather Road System. The system will open a backbone of major roads to allow forest access while continuing restrictions on cross-country travel and many secondary roads not engineered to sustain motorized use when saturated. Signs with maps will be available across the forest and will point to those designated routes open to motorized travel.

All road closures are temporary and dependant on weather. Typically, roads kept closed will be dry enough for forest managers to reopen around the end of April.

In the interim, the Coconino National Forest does have a few areas currently open to vehicles including the Cinder Hills area off State Highway 89 and other roads on the northeast portion of the forest, as well as most areas around Sedona. Visitors should contact their local Ranger Station for specifics.

For additional information visit the Coconino National Forest.

(Source: Coconino National Forest)