Holbrook, AZ-Over the Memorial Day weekend (May 23–May 26), the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers and the Navajo County Patrol Posse, saturated the forests with a strong and visible presence to help protect the community during this period of extreme fire danger.
The NCSO Dispatch Center received 63 fire-related calls, which included questions, concerns, valid fire reports, administrative inquiries, and transfers to other law enforcement agencies.
To maximize coverage and fire prevention efforts, NCSO deployed both aerial and ground patrols:
- Air Patrols: Deputies, Chief Deputy Brian Swanty, and Sheriff David Clouse spent 337 hours in flight, covering over 777 miles of forest terrain.
- Volunteer Air Patrols: NCSO volunteers added 148 flight hours, covering 330 miles.
- Ground Patrols: Deputies logged nearly 50 hours, covering 673 miles by vehicle.
- Volunteer Ground Patrols: Volunteers contributed 27.5 hours, covering 268 miles throughout the forest.
During the four days, deputies issued five citations, all for reckless burning, two of which occurred within forested areas. In addition to enforcement, deputies and volunteers placed a strong emphasis on educating the public, engaging with both residents and visitors about the importance of fire safety and strict compliance with Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.
Sheriff David Clouse commended the team’s efforts and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to protecting the region: “Our deputies and volunteers went above and beyond this weekend to keep our forests and communities safe. Their dedication shows just how seriously we take the current fire danger. We remain committed to staying vigilant and proactive throughout Stage 2 fire restrictions.”
The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office urges the public to continue following all Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, remain alert, and report any unsafe or suspicious activity immediately.