Wildfire Updates 2021

Additional Resources

Controlled Access

CampusFlagstaff Medical CenterVerde Valley Medical Center
Public access pointEmergency Department
Outpatient Services
Labor and Delivery (Birth and Wellness Center), 3rd floor
East Main
West Main
Emergency Department
Main
EntireCare Physical Therapy

Update – 9 a.m. – July 2, 2021

This concludes regular updates to current wildfire activity in the region, including the Rafael and Backbone fires.


Update – 9 .m. – July 1, 2021

With fire crews on both the Rafael and Backbone fires demobilizing and both fires nearing full containment, these daily updates will conclude on Friday, July 2, 2021.


Update – 9 a.m. – June 30, 2021

No updates at this time


Update – 9 a.m. – June 29, 2021

No updates at this time


Update – 9 a.m. – June 28, 2021

Controlled access at Flagstaff Medical Center due to air quality impacts related to regional wildfire activity has been lifted. Current access is based on COVID-19 moderate spread guidelines. View the latest guidelines.

Controlled access remains in place at Verde Valley Medical Center due to air quality impacts from regional wildfire activity.

Updates on regional wildfire activity will reduce to once daily at 9 a.m. beginning with this update.


Update – 5 p.m. – June 25, 2021

No updates at this time


Update – 9 a.m. – June 25, 2021

No updates at this time


Update – 5 p.m. – June 24, 2021

Controlled access remains in place at Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center.

The Type 1 Incident Management Team is holding a community meeting via Facebook at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021. 


Update – 9 a.m. – June 24, 2021

No new information.


Update – 5 p.m. – June 23, 2021

Controlled access remains in place at Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center.

As of 8 a.m., Thursday, June 24, 2021 – the following regional restrictions and closures are in effect:

  • Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, closed to all use

As of 8 a.m., Friday, June 25, 2021 – the following regional restrictions and closures are in effect:

  • Tonto National Forest, Stage 3 forest closure (some sites may still be accessible)

Update – 9 a.m. – June 23, 2021

Controlled access remains in place at Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center.

As of 8 a.m., Wednesday, June 23, 2021 – the following regional restrictions and closures are in effect:

  • Kaibab National Forest, closed to all use. 
  • Coconino National Forest, closed to all use. 
  • City of Flagstaff, stage 4 fire restrictions include closure of certain FUTS trails and city-run parks.
  • Coconino County, stage 3 fire restrictions.

Update – 5 p.m. – June 22, 2021

Controlled access remains in place at Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center. 

Both the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County are elevating their fire restrictions at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. 

Coconino County has, in addition to web resources, activated their incident call center at 928-679-8647. 


Update – 9 a.m. June 22, 2021

Controlled access remains in place at Flagstaff Medical Center.

As of Tuesday, June 22, 2021, controlled access at Verde Valley Medical Center has been implemented due to current and expected impacts to air quality from regional wildfire activity. Verde Valley Medical Center can be accessed via the following public access points:

  • Main
  • EntireCare
  • Emergency Department

​As of 3 p.m. on Monday, June 21, 2021, the Northern Arizona Healthcare Hospital Emergency Operations Center entered limited activation and is monitoring the current situation with regional wildfire activity.

  • Incident Commander: Brett Brawley
  • Public Information: Andrew Paffrath, 928.362.0772

As smoke from the Rafael Fire has begun to impact the greater Flagstaff area, Northern Arizona Healthcare has implemented controlled access at Flagstaff Medical Center.

Controlled access will remain in place for the duration of air quality impacts in the greater Flagstaff area. Flagstaff Medical Center can be accessed via the following public access points:

  • West Main
  • East Main
  • Outpatient Services
  • Emergency Department
  • Labor and Delivery (Birth and Wellness Center), 3rd floor