Ponderosa Fire Department

09/07/2026

09/06/2026

In observance of Labor Day, Ponderosa Fire District’s administrative offices will be closed on Monday, September 7. Emergency response services will remain available as always.

Our offices will reopen on Tuesday, September 8. We wish all our residents and community members a safe and enjoyable Labor Day!

09/02/2026

Congratulations Tim Carter!

Emergency Management Director Tim Carter named Emergency Management Professional of the Year

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Coconino County Emergency Management Director Tim Carter was named the Emergency Management Professional of the Year by the Arizona Association of Emergency Managers (AAEM).

“Coconino County has faced an extraordinary series of emergencies over the last year, from the White Sage Fire and Dragon Bravo Fire to the Pocket Fire and the Grand Canyon flash flood,” District 1 Supervisor and Board Chair Patrice Horstman said. “Throughout each event, Tim demonstrated steady leadership, clear communication and an unwavering commitment to protecting our communities. This award is deeply deserved, and we are grateful for his service.”

The awards celebrate the dedicated professionals, volunteers and community partners who work tirelessly to keep Arizona safe and resilient. Those recognized have been selected by their peers and distinguished themselves through exceptional service, leadership and dedication to the state of Arizona.

“Tim’s commitment to public safety, emergency response and community recovery is evident in everything he does,” Coconino County Manager Andy Bertelsen said. “This recognition reflects the significant impact of his work across Coconino County and Arizona.”

The award recognizes Carter’s leadership in advancing emergency preparedness, improving countywide emergency notifications and strengthening coordination among local, tribal, state and federal partners.

“It is an honor to receive this award and important to note that emergency management is always a team effort,” Carter said. “I’m fortunate to work with dedicated professionals who share a strong commitment to serving our communities.”

Carter has more than 20 years of public safety experience including thirteen years with Coconino County advancing through the department before his appointment as Director in August 2025. He has earned top-tier professional credentials holding dual industry certifications as both a Certified Emergency Manager and an Arizona Master Emergency Manager.

For more information about Emergency Management visit coconino.az.gov/ready.

09/02/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month. 💜

To our residents, our firefighters, our families, and anyone carrying more than others can see: you matter, and you don’t have to carry it alone.

Check on your people. Have the hard conversations. Reach out when you need someone.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

You matter. We’re here.
— Ponderosa Fire District

08/31/2026

Campwood Fire Deployment

Recently, Ponderosa Fire District sent a Type 3 Engine and crew to assist with the Campwood Fire near Bagdad, Arizona.

Our crew put in some long days, worked hard alongside firefighters from across the region, and managed to capture some pretty incredible views along the way.

We’re proud of the work they put in and grateful for the opportunity to support another Arizona community when help was needed.

Best of all, our crew and engine are back home safe and sound.

Welcome home, crew! Great work and job well done!

08/30/2026

Coconino County Fair welcomes community, education and traditions this Labor Day weekend

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — This Labor Day weekend, northern Arizona's biggest annual celebration returns with more than ever. The 77th Annual Coconino County Fair is September 4-7 at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff, marking a convergence of milestones - Route 66 at 100, Coconino County at 135, Flagstaff's Dark Sky designation at 25 and America at 250.

With more than 35,000 attendees expected across four days of rides, live music, livestock shows, fine arts food and family fun, the Coconino County Fair is northern Arizona's largest Labor Day weekend event and one of its best community traditions.

The Coconino County Fair is a showcase of the region's agricultural heritage, artistic talent and community pride. Inside the exhibit halls, the Schools and Education building welcomes entries from local schools. Fine arts, horticulture, agriculture, home economics, gems and minerals, hobbies and collectibles and 4-H youth exhibits bring the community together.

Fine Arts Superintendent Dorene Washington has seen firsthand how the fair brings artists and community together year after year.

"The Fine Arts barn plays a significant role in connecting the community to our local artists,” Washington said. “We have local artists come in to demonstrate their abilities, explain how they develop their ideas and it becomes an enriching experience for the demonstrating artists and the visitors alike. Each year people rush in looking to see if a demonstrator is working. Our local artists have a significant impact on our community."

Friday, September 4 is Youth Day with free admission for youth ages 6-17. Interactive 4-H exhibits, magic shows, balloon artists, strolling performers and the Frozen T-Shirt Contest with Lanky the Clown make it a day to remember. The Passport Program offers youth a chance to explore the fairgrounds and win prizes - the first 250 to complete it receive a free gift bag. Five-dollar meal deals are also available throughout the fairgrounds. School buses are welcome, call 928-679-8000 to register.

The Coconino County Fair is self-funding and contributes directly to park improvements at Fort Tuthill County Park, supporting the community long after the fair closes its gates.

Tickets:

Adult: $10
Youth (6-12): $6
Senior (65+): $6
Child (5 and younger): Free
Military (box office only, with I.D.): $5

Parking: $5 per vehicle, per day (credit card only, no cash accepted)

Early bird carnival wristbands are available through Browns Amusements while supplies last.

For tickets and full event details visit CoconinoCountyFair.com.

08/25/2026

Coconino County advances forest restoration and wildfire mitigation through new intergovernmental agreement

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Coconino County is taking a significant step to enhance forest health and reduce wildfire risk through a new Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM). The agreement, valid for five years from the signing date, establishes a coordinated framework to plan, implement, fund and report on forest restoration, hazardous fuel reduction and wildfire mitigation projects across the County.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved the IGA at its regular meeting on August 25, 2026.

“Protecting life, property and critical infrastructure from wildfire threats remains a top priority for Coconino County,” District 1 Supervisor and Chair of the Board Patrice Horstman said. “This partnership strengthens our ability to address hazardous conditions, restore forest ecosystems and safeguard watersheds that serve residents and communities throughout the region.”

The IGA supports the goals and objectives outlined in key state and county planning documents, including the 2020 and 2030 State Forest Action Plans, Envision 2045, the Coconino County Comprehensive Plan, the 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and the 2026 Community Wildfire Protection Plan for Rural Fire Districts and Tribal Communities.

While the agreement does not directly commit County funds, individual projects carried out under its framework may be supported through a combination of County General Fund resources and state or federal grants.

08/24/2026

WEBSITE UPDATES

Ponderosa Fire District’s website is currently undergoing changes, and some pages may be temporarily unavailable off and on.

If you need information—including meeting agendas, minutes, or other public documents—please contact our office:

-928-773-8933
[email protected]

Thank you for your patience while we make these updates!

08/21/2026

Today we’re wishing Nataani Jaques the very best as he wraps up his time with Ponderosa Fire District’s Crew 8.

Nataani has been a valuable part of our crew, and we’re grateful for the hard work, commitment, and great attitude he brought with him. He will definitely be missed, and we’re excited to see where his next chapter takes him.

Before he could leave, though, there was one more piece of unfinished business. Nataani became the first person to officially earn a Crew 8 belt buckle.

According to Chief Foreman, the first requirement for earning one is apparently having it be your last day of work. 😂 We’ll see if that particular standard makes it into the official policy.

Congratulations, Nataani, and thank you for everything you’ve given to Crew 8 and Ponderosa Fire District. We wish you nothing but success in whatever comes next.

Once Crew 8, always Crew 8. 🔥

08/16/2026

At approximately 6:00 a.m. this morning, Ponderosa Fire District was dispatched to a vehicle fire at the fuel pumps at the Pilot Travel Center.

Engine 82 (E82) and Battalion 82 (B82) responded and arrived to find a pickup truck at the pumps with fire coming from the right front wheel well and engine compartment.

E82 crews quickly extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading to the rest of the vehicle or the fuel pumps. Due to the quick response and extinguishment, there was no damage to the fuel pumps, and no injuries were reported.

Thank you to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office for their mutual aid response and assistance on scene.