It’s Monday, June 14. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect this week until Friday for lower elevation regions in northern Arizona — including Page, Winslow, Prescott, and parts of the Grand Canyon.
New NAU President Starts Term
Dr. José Luis Cruz begins his term today as Northern Arizona University’s 17th President. He transitioned into the role after serving as Vice Chancellor and Provost at the City University of New York.
Cruz says he’s pushing to prioritize transparency and equity at the university. It comes after a large-scale layoff among faculty in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The University Union of Northern Arizona, meanwhile, is calling for more secure contracts for employees.
Cornville Fire Grows; No Containment Reported
Crews are working to contain a wildfire two miles east of Cornville; the fire reached 1,200 acres according to a Monday morning update from theBureau of Land Management.
The Cornville Fire prompted evacuation orders for an area east of Page Springs Road; the order has since been lifted. The fire has destroyed one outbuilding, according to the BLM.
Slate Fire North Of Flagstaff Grows
The Slate Fire northwest of Flagstaff, meanwhile, has grown to 10,677 acres — about 16.7 square miles — with 23% containment, according to Coconino National Forest officials this morning. Part of CNF remains closed to the public as about 140 personnel work to contain the fire. A 13-mile stretch of Route 180 remains closed indefinitely.
Free Healthcare Clinic Slated In Prescott Valley
A free healthcare clinic is on tap this week in Prescott Valley’s Findlay Toyota Center. The annual clinic will offer free eye exams, dental care and mental health assistance among other services on June 17 and 18. It comes after a months-long trend of Americans avoiding appointments amid the pandemic, along with temporary pauses on some elective procedures in Arizona.
In a Time Magazine-Harris poll taken in February 2021, nearly 80% of respondents say they put off at least one medical service in recent months.
Havasupai Extends Tourism Suspension
The Havasupai Tribe has extended its current tourism suspension until February 2022 to prevent spread of COVID-19. The tribe says no reopening date has been set, and in a statement said the continued closure will remain effective to prioritize community health among tribal members. No COVID-19 cases have been reported within the reservation of about 450 people, the Associated Press reports.
Museum Flood Area Prompts Concern Amid Fire, Monsoon Season
Coconino County will host a volunteer event this weekend to bolster protections in the Museum Flood Area as monsoon season approaches. The county is asking volunteers to help restock sandbags Saturday to redirect stormwater flows. The northern area of Flagstaff has been designated a high-risk flood region due to the 2019 Museum Fire; the county reports flooding could affect more than 400 homes in the area.
Grand Canyon Officials Search For Missing TX Man
A search is ongoing for a 49-year-old Texas man in the Grand Canyon area, according toNational Park Service officials. Charles Lyon was last seen at a Best Western Hotel in Tusayan last Thursday, June 10.
NPS reports he abandoned his vehicle near Lipan Point at the South Rim near Desert View Drive — likely on June 11 or around that date.
Lyon has brown eyes, brown hair, and is 6-foot-3 and weighs 177 pounds. NPS is asking members of the public to submit relevant information.
