San Francisco Peaks

Coconino County Sheriff’s officials are urging those venturing out in the backcountry of the San Francisco Peaks to be alert for potential avalanches and other winter hazards.

The Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center says the recent heavy snowfall on the San Francisco Peaks has created a higher likelihood of slides.

Congress this week acted to approve the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. It includes funding for federal programs that support post-wildfire watershed restoration and flood mitigation. The legislation includes about $50 million for two projects approved by the Coconino County Flood Control District .

A pipeline on the San Francisco Peaks that provides water to Flagstaff has been shut down after it suffered heavy damage during recent monsoon rain. Many areas northeast of Flagstaff have seen cataclysmic flooding following this year’s wildfires.

The man arrested for burning toilet paper near the suspected start of the Pipeline Fire in Flagstaff pleaded guilty Wednesday to several charges.

In this month's Canyon Commentary, Scott Thybony retells a story from 20 years ago about the importance of honoring sacred spaces and the ceremony of restoring order to the natural world.

The Flagstaff area this year has endured two large and devastating wildfires in short succession: April’s Tunnel Fire and then the Pipeline Fire that began almost three weeks ago. KNAU's Ryan Heinsius talks to Coconino National Forest Flagstaff District Ranger Matt McGrath about what might need to change in how area public lands are managed in order to prevent another fire on the San Francisco Peaks.

Managers on the Pipeline Fire say it’s reached more than 20,000 acres with no reported containment. Calmer winds and more favorable firefighting conditions are in store today though critical fire weather is still in effect.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors Monday declared a State of Emergency due to the impacts of the Pipeline Fire burning near Flagstaff on the San Francisco Peaks. A man arrested in connection with the fire made his first court appearance, claiming he lit toilet paper on fire and put it under a rock, not realizing it would smolder all night.

The Pipeline Fire near Flagstaff was first reported Sunday and exploded in growth because of extremely heavy winds. The blaze made a seven-mile run to the northeast through Shultz Pass in its first day, and it’s bearing down on the Timberline area and other communities, triggering the evacuations of nearly 2,200 homes. KNAU spoke with Type 3 Incident Commander Aaron Graeser.