Current Fire Conditions Worse Than Year Of Rodeo-Chediski

By Linda Kor
   Emergency Management Services Director Tim Zaremba approached the Navajo County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, asking the supervisors to consider the implementation of fire restrictions for fire zones two and three.
   According to Zaremba, the current conditions in the Sitgreaves National Forest are worse than they were in 2002, the year of the Rodeo-Chediski fire. The latest consensus among fire management experts is that they are expecting heightened fire problems below 7,500’ elevations with extreme concern for the piñon juniper grasslands in Navajo County.
   “We need to make people aware,” stated Zaremba. “We had a fire start last Wednesday on the north-east side of the mountain. The location is what saved us from having a major fire and it was of human cause. Last week alone we had five fires that I’m aware of.”
   Supervisor David Tenney noted that the county tries to be simultaneous with the Forest Service when it comes to posting dates for restrictions. The Forest Service restriction are scheduled to begin June 1, but Zaremba was concerned that that may be too late.
   “I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with being proactive. If there’s a fire in the forest, it can take us two hours to get organized and out there. If it’s in the cities, we would be right there,” said Zaremba.
   Lakeside Fire Marshal Kirk Webb commented that there is more to lose in communities than in the forest.
   “We would like to consider going to restrictions prior to the Forest Service as a precaution,” he noted.”
   Tenney was concerned that it might become confusing for residents if different fire restrictions are set on different dates. “People get a little upset when they’re on restriction and the guy next door to them isn’t,” he commented. “What would be the benefit of starting restriction prior to the June 1 date set by the Forest Service?” he asked.
   “Preservation of life and property,” stated Zaremba. “More than anything, we want people to be aware of the current danger.”
   No action was taken on the request to begin restrictions sooner, but the request will be placed on the agenda of the May 20 board meeting for consideration.
   In other action May 6, the board:
   * Approved a $14,246.12 contract with the Arizona Department of Health Services for the Community Nutrition Program for the period of July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009.
   * Approved a resolution in support of the Hardrock Council on Substance Abuse grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
   * Approved a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, for use of its eTrace Internet System as an investigative tool in crimes involving firearms.
   * Approved the delegation agreement with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, giving Navajo County Emergency management the function, powers and duties required for the issuance of open burn permits.
   * Awarded a service contract to Bug Snuffers for county pest control services. The contract term is for an initial three-year period with two, one-year renewal options.
   * Approved an intergovernmental agreement to loan a grader to the City of Holbrook for use at Hidden Cove Golf Course.
   * Awarded a contract to Nationwide Retirement Solutions for a 457 deferred compensation plan.
   * Approved a contract for office space for the Arizona Department of Commerce at the McNeil Com-plex.
   * Approved a contract for office space for White Mountain Catholic Charities, a Northern Arizona Council of Governments service provider, at the McNeil complex.
   * Approved the ratification of a contract to purchase the National Bank of Arizona property located at 902 E. Deuce of Clubs in Show Low. This purchase agreement was approved at the last board meeting, but an error on the total square footage required a corrected approval. The property includes two buildings to-taling 8,310 square feet at a total cost of $1,020,052.
   * Approved a cost share payment with the City of Winslow for its efforts to re-certify the Ruby Wash.
   * Authorized the chairman to sign a letter to Senator Jon Kyl requesting his support to fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study for the Winslow Levee rehabilitation project.
   * Approved a resolution accepting a portion of Sun Valley Road from Pinto Street to Pima Street and a portion of 16th Street from Prairie Street to Pima Street into the county road maintenance system.
   * Authorized the filing of the petition requesting the establishment of Silver Lake Boulevard as a county highway, and set the public hearing at 9 a.m. on May 20.
   * Authorized the filing of the petition requesting the establishment of White Antelope Road as a county highway, and set the public hearing at 9 a.m. on May 20.
   * Approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of improvement bonds for the Bucking Horse Im-provement District located in the Pinetop/Lakeside area in an amount not to exceed $600,000.
   * Awarded a professional service contract to Tetra Tech Inc. for engineering services for Hilltop Drive Improvement District in an amount not to exceed $122,735.
   * Approved the purchase of a minivan for the Winslow Council on Aging (Winslow Senior Center) in an amount not to exceed $11,064 from District III and $11,064 from District II Local Transportation Assis-tance Fund (LTAF) II funds.
   * Approved the purchase of a minivan for the Silver Creek Senior Citizens Center in an amount not to exceed $11,064 from District III and $11,064 from District IV LTAF II funds.
   * Approved the use of District V LTAF II funds in an amount not to exceed $10,000 to help with transportation costs for the White Mountain Apache Tribe/Temporary Assistance for the Needy Families (TANF) program.
   * Approved the use of District IV LTAF II funds in an amount not to exceed $7,334.91 for vehicle operating costs for the Rim Country Senior Center.
   * Approved a resolution in support of a grant application to the Navajo Hopi Land Commission and approval of letters of support that will be submitted with the application to request funds totaling $207,500 in order to purchase two motor-graders. The scope of the grant calls for the county to partner in the pur-chase of the equipment and to hire two operators that will be dedicated in Districts I and II. The county will have a capital expenditure of $207,500 for the equipment purchase. The annual cost to the county for equipment maintenance and manpower will be approximately $150,000, which will be taken from District I and District II special road funds.
   * Approved an expenditure of not more than $175,000 for the overlay of Brown Trout Drive in the Silver Lake Estates area from District IV Special Road Funds.
   * Approved a special use permit requested by Lee Larsen for the proposed expansion/development of self-storage units of approximately 10,300 square feet and 13,700 square feet for a display area of trailers and boats in the Pinetop/Lakeside area, with stipulations.
   * Approved fiscal year 2008-2009 employee health benefit plan rates and the funding level of em-ployer contributions.
   * Rescinded the Navajo County personnel policies regarding pre-employment drug testing.
   * Ratified a contract signed by County Manager Jimmy Jayne for a citizen survey and focus groups conducted by Northern Arizona University.
   * Authorized acceptance of a deeded roadway easement for Old Highway 160 (Clay Springs Road).
   * Approved a modification to a USDA Forest Service, Apache Sitgreaves National Forests agreement to provide an additional $5,000 in Forest Service funding for fiscal year 2008 for reimbursement for general patrol activities.
   * Approved a utility easement to Arizona Public Service Co. across the Navajo County Fairgrounds in Holbrook.
   * Authorized the clerk of the board to request new undercover plates.
   * Approved an addendum to a 2008 intergovernmental agreement with the State of Arizona Department of Revenue for data processing services to reflect language inserted by the attorney general.
   *Authorized the application for a temporary extension of premises/patio permit for The Cabin Bar and Grill for June 6-8.
   * Approved the appointment of precinct committee persons, including Carol Joe Davis of Dilcon I and Bernice Shone of Piñon I.