White Mountain Joint Information System

Once again it is time to hop on that Ferris wheel and eat funnel cake. The Apache County Fair is right around the corner. This year the fair will be held September 8th through the 11th. September is also National Preparedness Month and Apache County Public Health Emergency Preparedness will be there helping educate residents on how to be prepared for emergency events.
National Preparedness Month is sponsored by the Ready campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and the Advertising Council. National Preparedness Month is held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to be prepared for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities.
This year will focus on encouraging our residents to work together to take concrete actions toward emergency preparedness. Please come by our booth and receive information on how to create a “go kit” for you and your family, preparing your pets for emergencies or how to prepare for those with disabilities or special needs.
We are also establishing a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteer unit and will have applications for those who would like to volunteer their time to help their community during an emergency.

MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and promote healthy living throughout the year. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources.

MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. Many community members—interpreters, chaplains, office workers, legal advisors, and others—can fill key support positions.

There will also be information on Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT).

Come be a part in making our Communities safer and prepared for any kind of hazardous event.
See you at the Fair!

Fourth of July in Apache County is always one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. The family activities (Parade, BBQ in the park, the beloved rubber ducky races at Lyman Lake and of course the firework show). Apache County Public Health Emergency Preparedness wants to be sure that all of our residents and visitors remember this weekend as an amazing time. We can all do this by remembering a few simple safety tips provided by the U.S. Fire Administration.

Fireworks safety
- The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays put on by professionals who know how to safely
handle fireworks.
- If you plan to use fireworks, make sure they are legal in your area first.
- Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
- Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly.
- Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks.
- Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a devise does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate it. Put it
out with water and dispose of it.
- Always read the directions and warning labels on fireworks. If a devise is not marked with label, do not light it.
- Supervise children around fireworks at all times.

Barbeque Safety
- Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure the venturi tubes
where the air and gas mix are not blocked.
- Do not overfill the propane tank.
- Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbeque.
- Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the
container and explode.
- keep all matches and lighters away from children. teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an
adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.
- Dispose of hot coals properly – douse them with plenty of water, and stur them to ensure that the fire is out. Never
place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
- Never grill/barbeque in enclosed areas – carbon monoxide could be produced.
- Make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop and Roll in case a piece of clothing does catch fire. Call 911 or our local
emergency number if a burn warrants serious medical attention.

Campfire Safety
- Build campfires where they will not spread, away from dry grass and leaves.
- Keep campfires small, and don’t let them get out of hand.
- Keep plenty of water and a shovel around to douse the fire when you’re done. Stir it and douse it again with water.
- Never leave campfires unattended.

Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July weekend.

Information provided by Inciweb (Incident Information System)

Incident: Paradise Wildfire
Released: 5 days ago

Road Closure Lifted: The closure of US Highway 191 for fire activity and smoke conditions, between Forest Road 26 on the north end and Forest Road 576 on the south end, will be lifted at 10:00 pm tonight. However, motorists traveling US Highway 191 are asked to slow down and exercise caution because of continued firefighting operations and possible limited visibility due to smoke.

Sunday, firefighters completed the rehabilitation process to return the Blue Primitive Area, US Highway 191 and Foote Creek Trail #76 to naturally appearing conditions. Firefighters also worked to cool hotspots in the Grant Creek drainage, but had to pull back due to lightning in the vicinity. Today firefighters will continue to secure the western perimeter of the fire and the Grant Creek drainage.

This will be the last update from the Eastern Arizona Type 2 Incident Management Team for the Paradise Fire. Management of the fire will be turned over to the Alpine District Ranger Office and their Type 3 organization at 6:00 am on Tuesday June 29, 2010.

The Eastern Arizona Type 2 Incident Management Team would like to thank Alpine, AZ and the administration, faculty and students of the Alpine Elementary School for hosting our Incident Command Post. It was a pleasure serving your community.
An Area Closure remains in effect:

Area Closure: East side of closure boundary: From Horse Ridge Trailhead south on Horse Ridge Trail #38 to the junction of Foote Creek Trail #76. The closure continues on Foote Creek Trail to Blue Admin Trailhead. South side of the closure boundary: From the Blue Admin Trailhead the closure will follow Greenlee County Road 67004 (the Blue Road) to Steeple Trailhead. The Blue Road will not be included in the closure. From Steeple Trailhead the closure will follow Steeple Trail #73 to the junction of KP Trail #70. From the junction it will follow the KP Trail to the junction of the KP Trail and the North KP Trail #93. West and north side of the closure boundary: From KP Rim Trailhead North along Aker Lake Trail #17 to US Highway 191. Closure follows US Highway 191 north and northwest to Horse Ridge Trail.

U.S. Highway 191 Closed
Incident: Paradise Wildfire
Released: 19 hrs. ago

The following information was provided by Inciweb (Incident Information System)

Residents and visitors should be aware that public access to US Highway 191 was closed on Wednesday afternoon and is expected to remain closed until further notice. Currently, there are no evacuations.

Road Closure: US Highway 191 is closed due to heavy smoke and fire conditions, between Forest Road 26 on the north end and Forest Road 576 on the south end. A detour along Forest Road 26 to Forest Road 24 to Forest Road 576 will allow north-south traffic (excluding semi-tractor trailers or vehicles of similar size and weight) to continue.

DETOUR CONDITIONS: The detour, which follows Forest Road 26 to Forest Road 24 to Forest Road 576 and reconnects with Highway 191, is about 23 miles of narrow gravel road. It is not recommded for low clearance vehicles or motorcycles. Motorists who take the detour should drive slowly and be alert to blind corners, low visibility due to dust and flying rocks from other vehicles.

The paradise fire has crossed over the containment line and ADOT will be closing Highway 191 between Mileposts 227 and 237.
Due to windy conditions that have now diminished the fire has also caused smoke to settle in the Alpine area. Visibility is currently between 3-5 miles and could be reduced to 1-1.5 miles.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and should try to remain indoors. Everyone else should reduce prolonged heavy exertion. Please stay tuned to 593 and the hotline 928-333-3412 for updated information.