Rogers “True” Brown/Coconino National Forest
Forest managers in northern Arizona are breathing a small sigh of relief following this week’s snowfall. It comes amid a long-term dry spell that pushed much of the region into the highest category of drought. More than two feet of snow in many areas helped reduce wildfire danger on local forests during a time of year when crews are typically focused on thinning and other forest health initiatives. KNAU’s Ryan Heinsius spoke with Coconino National Forest Fire Staff Officer James Pettit about how officials are looking ahead to the upcoming fire season.
The Flagstaff City Council voted to approve a grazing lease for Red Gap Ranch, and postponed a decision on a rezoning of land off Lake Mary Road at their Tuesday meeting. The city purchased the Red Gap Ranch in 2005 after a voter approved bond due to a 100-year supply of groundwater, though projects to extract the water have been slow moving. The city approved an application for the grazing lease by the privately owned Bar-T-Bar Ranch based in Winslow, who will pay roughly $50 thousand per year to graze cattle. In addition, the council postponed a decision on whether to adopt a change to the zoning map for an apartment complex just south of I-17 and Lake Mary Road with 20-percent affordable units. The construction company applying for the rezone requested a two-week continuance, and members of the public who planned to speak at this week’s meeting will be asked to speak when it comes up again on May 4th. Many residents of nearby homes have spoken in opposition to the complex.
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The Flagstaff City Council voted to approve a grazing lease for Red Gap Ranch, and postponed a decision on a rezoning of land off Lake Mary Road at their Tuesday meeting. The city purchased the Red Gap Ranch in 2005 after a voter approved bond due to a 100-year supply of groundwater, though projects to extract the water have been slow moving. The city approved an application for the grazing lease by the privately owned Bar-T-Bar Ranch based in Winslow, who will pay roughly $50 thousand per year to graze cattle. In addition, the council postponed a decision on whether to adopt a change to the zoning map for an apartment complex just south of I-17 and Lake Mary Road with 20-percent affordable units. The construction company applying for the rezone requested a two-week continuance, and members of the public who planned to speak at this week’s meeting will be asked to speak when it comes up again on May 4th. Many residents of nearby homes have spoken in oppositi
Best stargazing places for Dark Sky Week: See Milky Way, meteors, planets over Arizona Shaena Montanari, Arizona Republic
Stargazing is a naturally socially distant activity that can be done almost anywhere. While observatories with high-powered telescopes are great places to visit when you have the chance, stargazing can be done at any time with just your eyes and no extra equipment.
And now is the perfect time to go outside after dark and look up. International Dark Sky Week is April 5-12.
Many parts of Arizona are known for clear and dark skies, making the state the perfect place to see the Milky Way and planets like Jupiter and Saturn. The International Dark-Sky Association recognizes communities and parks as International Dark Sky Places when efforts have been made to make outdoor lighting night-sky friendly and prevent light pollution.
A California man survived seven days in the Sierra Nevada after following his GPS navigation system down a treacherous mountain road and getting hemmed in by deep snow.