Due to the current weather conditions in Navajo County along with the imminent threat of a catastrophic fire and endangerment of the citizens and visitors of Navajo County, Stage Three restrictions have been enacted for the unincorporated areas throughout the county, said Navajo County Emergency Management Interim Director Catrina Jenkins at the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 22.
“Any fire started now could be catastrophic,” said Jenkins further stating that most of the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest is in the 90th to 97th percentile with red flag conditions being added due to an extremely low relative humidity and high winds.
In a Stage Three Fire Restriction, there are no fires of any kind. There is no smoking outdoors, operating of a motor vehicle off designated roads and no use of any fireworks, explosive targets or tracer round ammunition. Outdoor mechanical and industrial prohibitions include, operating of any engine that would produce open flames or sparks or welding equipment that requires an open flame, with the exception of emergency repair of public utilities and railroads. The restrictions apply to all properties within the restricted area, including private property.
“If you choose to ignore the restrictions, or if you start a fire by accident, you are responsible for any damages, including the mitigation,” Jenkins said, noting that this applies to residents and visitors.
Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon added, “We will prosecute people who choose to ignore the restrictions to the full extent of the law. We had a guy who threw a cigarette out of his car window and he was shocked at what we could do to him.”
To know before you go, check out the nationwide website at firerestrictions.us/az. The website lists forest closures as well as restrictions.
In other business, the board:
* Authorized acceptance of School House Lane on the Rayburn Easement into the county maintained road system as a primitive road.
* Approved a Non-Criminal Justice User Agreement for federal and state access (fingerprint submission) between the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Pawnbroker License. This agreement sets forth the duties and responsibilities for both DPS and NCSO accessing and/or obtaining information from the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System.
* Approved a special event liquor license for Pinetop-Lakeside Chamber of Commerce for the High Mountain Beer and Music Festival to be held at the Pinetop Lakes Activity Center and Stables on June 23.
* Approved an agreement between the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside and Navajo County for Justice Court facilities at 1630 E. White Mountain Blvd. The agreement begins on June 1 and will be for five years with the county giving the town a one-time payment of $15,000 for the entire lease period.
* Approved 59 tax exemptions filed as a Request for Redemption Waiver since the March 1 deadline had passed pursuant to the Arizona Revised Statutes.
* Approved a contract signed by the county manager for a service agreement with KNOWiNK, LLC, to provide, install and set-up an electronic poll books system for approximately $44,300 for the first year, which includes 90 poll pad units, software and training.
* Approved an agreement between the NCSO and Pinon Unified School District for deputy housing.
* Approved an agreement between the NCSO and the cities of Snowflake-Taylor, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and Winslow for Byrne Grant Funding, which provides $41,000 to each municipality to pay a portion of the salaries for participating officers who are members of the multi-agency Major Crimes Apprehension Team.
* Approved five back tax land parcels sold over the counter in the amount of $3,156.
* Approved the re-appointment of David J. Martin to serve as Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore and Family Law Commissioner.
* Authorized the acceptance of a reversion to acreage plate on White Mountain Lake Vistas, Unit One, converting 19 lots to two tracts with a designated use of Open Space, Recreation and Drainage.
* Approved a perpetual drainage easement over and across real property in the Sky Hi Retreat community to Navajo County for drainage, construction and maintenance purposes.
* Approved a settlement agreement between Berger and White Mountain Lakes County Recreation Improvement District.
