Firefighting officials say the Wallow Fire in Eastern Arizona is 18% contained this afternoon, after consuming 469,407 acres. 36 structures have been lost, with 2,714 threatened. As crews work to prevent spread of the fire into New Mexico, 4,734 personnel remain fighting the fire. Some roads remain closed, but the Arizona Department of Transportation has reopened State Route 260 this afternoon between the Hawley Lake turnoff and the South Fork junction. Additional information is available at … [Read more...] about Wallow Firefighting Progress and Flood Preparation
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Rising From the Ground…Building an Energy Star Home
This is the third installment in a series chronicling the steps to building an energy efficient home based on a current project here in Flagstaff. We are building a house for a professor just north of NAU who is prioritizing energy efficiency. The first two articles covered the basics of getting out of the ground. The next few topics will dive deeper into the details. Erecting the walls, floors, and roofs is one of the most exciting times for any building project. You can start to get a sense … [Read more...] about Rising From the Ground…Building an Energy Star Home
Peak Engineering Inc. Celebrating Success
The partners of Peak Engineering, Inc. in Flagstaff are celebrating their one year anniversary. Julie Leid, Anne Dunno and Tom Smith left other engineering jobs to start a new firm during the recession. The partners are reporting a successful first year and have hired their first employee. Julie Leid says Peak Engineering has a lot to look forward to in its second year. "Just being a part of building the community, that's what we do as civil engineers is infrastructure work and site … [Read more...] about Peak Engineering Inc. Celebrating Success
Navajo Generating Station Hearing Underway
At the request of Congressmen Gosar and Trent Franks the Natural Resources Subcommittees Water and Power and Indian and Alaska Native Affairs held an oversight hearing on “Protecting Long-Term Tribal Energy Jobs and Keeping Arizona Water and Power Costs Affordable: The Current and Future Role of the Navajo Generating Station.” Located near Page, Arizona, the Navajo Generating Station (NGS) is a low-sulfur, coal-fired plant that provides 95% of the power to pump over 500 billion gallons … [Read more...] about Navajo Generating Station Hearing Underway
Construction Beginning Along Snowbowl Road
Construction is expected to begin this month along a segment of Snowbowl Road (Forest Road 516), as crews clear trees and build the snowmaking infrastructure for the ski resort. More than six miles of water pipeline needs to be installed so the reclaimed water can be transported up the mountain. Construction will be adjacent to Snowbowl Road from Highway 180 to Arizona Snowbowl Ski Area. Snowbowl Road will remain open; however, delays and temporary closures will occur throughout the duration … [Read more...] about Construction Beginning Along Snowbowl Road
Sustainability in Business: A Case Study
Moving businesses towards sustainability – balancing social, economic, environmental considerations to meet our needs and those of future generations – is something that has always been a charged subject, especially when government takes the initiative. In the current state of our polarized political environment, the government’s ability to act as the motivator for many issues has been largely handicapped from driving progress. There are strategies emerging at the local government level that … [Read more...] about Sustainability in Business: A Case Study
Businessman’s Ambitious Plan Taking Root
Imagine for a moment biting into a fresh, sweet strawberry on a snowy, winter day. Now imagine this strawberry was picked only a day ago and comes from a Northern Arizona Farm. Impossible, you say. Strawberries can’t be grown in the winter here. Yes, they can. If all goes according to plan, Flagstaff residents will be able to enjoy those strawberries, leafy vegetables and more, when Ron Brewster opens his Green Sky Farm at Red Gap Ranch. This farm will be contained in greenhouses where … [Read more...] about Businessman’s Ambitious Plan Taking Root
Business Continually Working to Improve Sustainability
Every day, many people drive by a Flagstaff business that epitomizes being green. It has earned rankings as one of the most sustainable corporations in the world. SCA Tissue, on Butler Avenue (across the street from HomCo Ace Hardware), has a nondescript storefront. But behind its doors, an impressive recycling process is underway most days of the year, providing material for tissue and hand towels. SCA is an acronym for Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, which translates to Swedish Cellulose … [Read more...] about Business Continually Working to Improve Sustainability
A Sustainable and Native Livelihood
When the idea of using xeriscape landscaping in yards became popular, most people resigned themselves that to save water, they had to settle for what Nigel Sparks calls a “gravelscape” – nothing fancy or colorful, just efficient. “I think that is what people came to see and that was not the intention when xeriscaping started,” he said. Sparks, the owner of Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed, would like to propose something different for your yard. You can have a shaded patio and beautiful, … [Read more...] about A Sustainable and Native Livelihood
Sedona Rotary Club Chili Cookoff
May 7 at Plaza del Norte Terrace, Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Center, 336 SR 179, between 11-4p.m Admission includes samplings of chilis from seven local restaurants, and water or a soft drink. Beer is available at an additional cost of $4 (14 oz cup). Participating chefs represent: Oak Creek Brewery & Grill, Rene at Tlaquepaque, Secret Garden Cafe, Ken's Creekside, Blue Moon Cafe, Cowboy Club and El Rincon. Sedona Mayor Rob Adams, Sedona Police Chief Ray Cota and Sedona Fire Chief … [Read more...] about Sedona Rotary Club Chili Cookoff