It’s Wednesday, July 14. Crews have fully contained the Buzzard Fire five miles south of Ponderosa Park, a Prescott National Forest spokesperson announced this morning. The once-100-acre fire has been reduced to 48 acres.
Rainfall Recap: Flooding Hinders Flagstaff Roads
Rainfall on Tuesday prompted flooding in parts of Flagstaff’s Museum Fire region. The 2019 fire’s burn scar holds a high flood risk for hundreds of area homes, according to county assessments.
Coconino County officials estimated more than 0.75 in. of rain fell upon the Museum Fire Burn Scar within 15 minutes, prompting emergency alerts for Mt. Elden Estates, Grandview, Paradise and Sunnyside.
A temporary closure went into effect on a stretch of Cedar Avenue; parts of Route 66 and Fourth Street also sustained impacts. Mountain Line Transit, meanwhile, implemented temporary detours in Sunnyside to avoid the rising floodwaters; transit stops have since reopened. A Wednesday morning update from the county is available here.
Monsoon Outlook: County Urges Flooding Precautions
The National Weather Service is predicting a continuation in monsoon activity this week. In the event of flooding, Coconino County advised residents to move any debris to the street, allowing county and city personnel to collect and clear materials. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect in Coconino County from the Grand Canyon Village up to Page as of Wednesday morning. The NWS forecasts an increase in precipitation Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Pre-filled sandbags are now available outside the County Health and Human Services building in Flagstaff. County emergency alerts are available via phone in English, Spanish and other languages.
Navajo Police Investigating Tampered Mail
The Navajo Police Department is seeking information related to tampered mail in the Dilkon District. Police say they’ve received reports of stolen and tampered mail between Leupp and Birdsprings along Navajo Route 15 in recent weeks, and that several pieces of mail were returned to the Winslow Post Service.
Ducey Unveils Tourism Plan Using Federal Funds
Gov. Doug Ducey this morning announced he’s investing more than $101 million dollars of federal funds from the American Rescue Plan to bolster tourism in the state. Ducey says the funds will go to marketing efforts and outdoor recreation, along with advertising in domestic and international flights. The newly announced Visit Arizona Initiative also lists efforts for golf course revitalization, while $25 million dollars will be allocated to funding conferences, rodeos and other events that bring travelers into the state.
Like many states, Arizona saw a drop in tourism during the pandemic, though the Office of Tourism reported recent upticks in state park visitation and tourism tax revenue.
Prescott Votes To Annex Land Parcels
The Prescott City Council voted unanimously this week to annex more than 1,600 acres, including a swath of land near the city’s Granite Dells. The annexation is part of a deal between the city and Arizona Eco Development, a private company, and will include an area near the Prescott Regional Airport. Members of the public expressed concerns over water supply and advocated for preservation of the Dells during a special meeting Tuesday.
