PHOENIX – Repairs to guardrail damaged by the Sawmill Fire on State Route 83 are complete and all restrictions on the roadway between Interstate 10 and Sonoita have been lifted, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

ADOT crews repaired about two miles of guardrail and supporting posts that were damaged in the fire. Several damaged road signs also were replaced.

SR 83 was closed for three days last week because of the Sawmill Fire. Lane restrictions and reduced speed limits had been in place since Monday morning to allow crews room to make the needed repairs.

For the most current information about highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511. 

PHOENIX —State Route 83 has reopened this afternoon south of Interstate 10 after being closed for nearly three days because of the Sawmill Fire, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Drivers can expect local delays as ADOT crews repair guardrails damaged by the fire. Lane restrictions and reduced speed limits are expected in the area where crews are working.

The road had been closed since the fire approached SR 83 on Monday afternoon.

Additional information on active wildfires can be obtained through the Arizona Division of Emergency Management at azein.gov.

For the most current information about highway closures and restrictions statewide, visit ADOT’s Travel Information Site at az511.gov or call 511.

PHOENIX – Like a lot of Arizona these days, the hillsides along State Route 87 south of Payson look mighty green after a wet winter. But that didn’t stop a brush fire from breaking out last week after a vehicle dragging chains threw sparks off the roadway, backing up traffic as first responders addressed the blaze.

When warmer temperatures turn all that ground cover brown, there will be even more reason for precautions to prevent brush fires along highways.

“Everyone can help prevent fires,” said Jesse Gutierrez, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s deputy state engineer for statewide operations. “That starts with making sure your tires are properly inflated, being careful not to park over tall grasses and ensuring that chains aren’t dragging.”

During the winter and spring, ADOT crews mow vegetation along highway shoulders. Crews also remove brush, thin trees and spray fire retardant within the ADOT right-of-way to prevent fires and slow the spread of those that occur. But motorists have an important role as well:

• Don’t park in tall grass, as the heat from parts under your vehicle can start a fire.
• Make sure nothing is hanging from underneath your vehicle and dragging on the pavement.
• Dragging chains during towing can cause sparks. Never substitute parts when towing.
• Check tire pressure before you travel. Exposed wheel rims can cause sparks.

ADOT participates in the “One Less Spark One Less Wildfire” campaign that the U.S. Forest Service and other land management agencies launched to focus on the role drivers and homeowners play in preventing wildfires.

PHOENIX — As temperatures heat up, the Arizona Department of Transportation is asking drivers to take extra precautions to prevent roadside wildfires.

Low humidity, high winds and hot temperatures are a dangerous combination that can lead to the rapid spread of wildfires. More than 50 percent of wildfires in Arizona are human caused according to the Arizona State Forestry Division.

“We are all responsible for preventing wildfires. Drivers should take a few extra precautions to prevent roadside fires from igniting,” according to Arizona State Forester Jeff Whitney. “It can be as simple as ensuring your trailer tow chains are secure and not dragging on the ground.”

ADOT suggests motorists follow these tips to prevent wildfires along Arizona’s roadways:

• Avoid driving or parking your vehicle in tall grass.
• Never throw a lighted cigarette out of a vehicle.
• When pulling a trailer, attach safety chains securely; loose chains can drag on the pavement and cause sparks, igniting roadside fires.
• Look behind you before driving away from fire-sensitive locations such as areas with tall grass or campsites to check for signs of a developing fire.
• Observe “Red Flag” fire weather warnings. These warnings are issued when weather conditions are conducive to the easy start and rapid spread of wildfires.
• Always use a spark arrestor on internal combustion engines.

Drivers should also remember these tips when driving through smoke from wildfires:

• Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will reflect back off the smoke and can reduce your visibility even more.
• Look out for slow-moving and parked vehicles. Other cars may be traveling slowly due to reduced visibility. Emergency vehicles may be parked along the side of the road.
• Increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Don’t rush or speed to get out of the smoke.
• If you’re having trouble seeing the roadway, use the right edge of the pavement or the painted edge line stripe as a guide.

For more on wildfires, visit Arizona Emergency Information Network, the state’s online source for real-time emergency updates, preparedness and hazard information. Another source for wildfire information is wildlandfire.az.gov, which is supported by a collaboration of federal and state agencies.

PHOENIX – Among the different agencies and organizations involved in fighting wildfires, the Arizona Department of Transportation may not come to mind. However, ADOT is active in helping to prevent wildfires both before and during wildfire season.

During the winter and spring seasons, ADOT crews mow down vegetation along the highway shoulders. Crews also engage in brush removal, thinning trees and spraying fire retardant within the ADOT right-of-way in order to prevent a fire or slow the spread of one.

ADOT also requires fire plans as a part of the construction contract for highway projects. Fire plans indicate what measures will be taken to prevent a fire starting in the work zone and what to do if a fire flares up. Employees also engage in training to work in a way that prevents wildfires.

“Combating the threat of wildfires is a team effort,” said Flagstaff District Engineer Audra Merrick. “We make sure we work in ways to help prevent wildfires along the highway system.”

During a wildfire, ADOT supports firefighting efforts by offering the use of ADOT maintenance crew water trucks to help supply water to firefighters. ADOT also manages traffic control along highways affected by wildfires, and notifies the motorists through overhead and portable message boards. Alerts are also posted on the Traveler Information System at az511.gov.

ADOT crews also work with the wildfire incident command team to assist it in meeting its goals.

“We are happy to offer aid to those fighting wildfires,” Merrick said. “From providing water to helping emergency responders get in and around the affected area, ADOT will offer assistance in any way we can.”

After a wildfire has been extinguished, ADOT crews assess any damage done to the highway as well as adjacent areas. As seen recently in Oak Creek Canyon with the aftermath of the Slide Fire, crews help curb flooding hazards by staging heavy equipment such as road graders and repair roadway embankments along burned out slopes within ADOT’s right of way in an effort to restore vegetation. 

ADOT crews also place erosion control features such as logs, rock dams and “wattles” – straw-filled canvas tubes that help keep the soil and debris off highways – along the right of way in preparation for potential flooding.

PHOENIX – As the battle against the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon winds down, the ongoing highway-improvement project along the "switchbacks" section of State Route 89A will resume this weekend, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The previously-scheduled closure of the three-mile stretch of SR 89A between the Pine Flat Campground and the Vista scenic overlook south of Flagstaff will remain in place for several weeks while crews remove loose rocks above the switchbacks, complete other safety improvements and resurface the highway.

SR 89A will reopen to traffic before the Fourth of July weekend.

While the switchbacks section along SR 89A is closed, ADOT recommends drivers use Interstate 17 and State Route 179 to travel between Flagstaff and Sedona.

The $2 million SR 89A improvement project began on April 21, with lane restrictions in place along the switchbacks. The full closure of the highway had been scheduled to start on Tuesday (May 27) but crews were temporarily pulled off the project more than a week ago (Tuesday, May 20) due to the Slide Fire. 

SR 89A was closed for several days between Slide Rock State Park and Fort Tuthill near Flagstaff, but local authorities plan to lift wildfire-related checkpoints by late today (Friday), leaving the highway closed for the improvement project along the switchbacks.

PHOENIX — Due to the ongoing firefighting efforts against the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon, the State Route 89A improvement project along the switchbacks north of Sedona is on hold at this time, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

ADOT had been preparing for a scheduled closure of the SR 89A switchbacks for a pavement and safety-improvement project starting on Tuesday, May 27, at the conclusion of the Memorial Day weekend.

Crews were pulled off the project Tuesday afternoon shortly after the start of the Slide Fire, which originated approximately six miles south of the project near Slide Rock State Park.

Currently, SR 89A (mileposts 375-397) remains closed in both directions between Sedona and Flagstaff due to a wildfire that began Tuesday afternoon in the Oak Creek Canyon area.

Once the fire has been contained and access is allowed in the affected area, ADOT will need to conduct a roadway and rockfall assessment prior to any work resuming on the SR 89A project. Any potential environmental issues must also be addressed following the fire and all post-fire operations will be coordinated with the U.S. Forest Service.

Work began on the $2 million project to upgrade a three-and-a-half-mile segment of SR 89A between the Pine Flat Campground and Vista Point Overlook (mileposts 387-390) on April 21.

ADOT is working with fire officials and state emergency managers to ensure the safety of drivers and is assisting with traffic control. As an alternative route, ADOT is recommending motorists take State Route 179 to Interstate 17 to travel between Sedona and Flagstaff.

There is no estimated time for the highway to reopen.

ADOT will provide updates on the status of the project and planned closure as additional information becomes available.

PHOENIX – State Route 89A remains closed between Sedona and Flagstaff due to a wildfire that began Tuesday afternoon, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Drivers are urged to avoid the area.

The 24-mile-long closure (mileposts 375-397) affects most of the highway between Sedona and Flagstaff as crews battle the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon. ADOT is working with fire officials to ensure the safety of drivers and is assisting with traffic control.

As an alternative, ADOT is recommending drivers take State Route 179 and Interstate 17 to travel between Sedona and Flagstaff.

There is no estimated time for the highway to reopen.

Additional information on active wildfires can be obtained through the Arizona Division of Emergency Management at azein.gov.

For updates on travel conditions around the state of Arizona, please visit az511.gov or follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT).