District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — ADEQ Air Quality Meteorologists Launch First State Wildfire Smoke Forecast in the Nation

June 17, 2020
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Coconino County Government
ELIZABETH C. ARCHULETA
Supervisor, District 2
Special Edition
Quote of the Day
“When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us. When our community is in a state of peace, it can share that peace with neighboring communities.”
—Dalai Lama
ADEQ Air Quality Meteorologists Launch
First State Wildfire Smoke Forecast in the Nation
(PHOENIX) — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today a new wildfire smoke forecast — the first state wildfire smoke forecast of its kind in the country — to provide Arizona communities with early and ongoing information about potential air quality impacts so they can make informed decisions for their health.
Designed to support, and in cooperation with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) wildfire air resource advisors and Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (AZDFFM) staff, ADEQ’s air quality meteorologists will provide a wildfire smoke forecast when Arizona wildfires have the potential for extended air quality impacts to communities as determined in coordination with federal and state land managers.
“With our new wildfire smoke forecast, we are serving our communities by providing both early and ongoing information about potential air quality impacts from wildfires,” said ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera.
“We expect this wildfire smoke forecast, the first of its kind in the nation, to serve as a model for how state and federal air quality experts can work together to leverage local knowledge and best serve their communities,” said AZDFFM Director David Tenney.
To inform health and safety considerations and support decision-making, ADEQ’s wildfire smoke forecasts provide both community members and wildfire managers with information about:
  • Who is managing the wildfire and how to get in touch,
  • Which communities may be affected by smoke,
  • Where smoke is coming from and how long it is expected to last,
  • Recommendations about when to limit outdoor activity, and
  • Helpful resources including fact sheets, frequently asked questions and other resources related to land managers and other agencies.
When activated, online wildfire smoke forecasts will be available 24/7 and updated daily each morning to provide information about expected smoke impacts for the next 48-hours. ADEQ will continue to update activated wildfire smoke forecasts until data show significantly reduced risk of health impacts.
ADEQ’s wildfire smoke forecasts typically are not provided for wildfires that are short in duration or which occur in remote locations, away from populated areas.
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
As of June 17, 2020
These figures are updated and will be shared every morning at 10:00 am in order tocoincide with the Arizona Department of Health Services release of data. We will continue sharing these figures in our daily newsletter.
Here is the information as of 06/17/2020:
New COVID-19 Weekly Report Available
The Coconino County Health and Human Services has issued a new weekly report entitled COVID-19 Coconino County Weekly Update.
The report, which includes a COVID-19 situation summary, key takeaways, demographic and geographic information, hospitalizations and testing data related to Coconino County residents, is updated each Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
AZDHS just updated their COVID-19 website which now includes race and ethnicity on confirmed cases, location of confirmed cases by zip code, ages & gender of related deaths, and number of hospital beds & ICU beds available.
COVID-19 Testing Information
COVID-19 testing is free and does not require a Doctor’s order. If you have been exposed to COVID-19, it is recommended to get tested within 72 hours of exposure.
La prueba COVID-19 es gratuita y no requiere una orden del médico. Si ha estado expuesto a COVID-19, se recomienda hacerse la prueba dentro de las 72 horas posteriores a la exposición.
Coconino County Residents Count:
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
If you have not yet filled out the 2020 Census, please do so!
By filling out the census, you are ensuring that our community is counted and can receive the necessary resources we need to keep our community safe, healthy, and thriving!
Other important things to keep in mind:
  • Count everyone who is living in your house on 04/01/20 on your census form
  • The census DOES NOT ask about citizenship
  • All information collected is required BY LAW to be kept confidential
  • Make sure to include children and babies when filling out your census
  • EVERYONE COUNTS!
You have the option of completing the questionnaire by phone.
To begin, call 844-330-2020 for English or 844-468-2020 for Spanish.
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