Yarnell Residents Cleared to Return to Community 9 a.m. Monday;

PRESCOTT, Ariz. – Residents displaced by the Yarnell Hill Fire, which started June 28, will be permitted to return to their homes beginning at 9 a.m. Monday. The Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management is putting into place a series of provisions to keep residents safe during the transition.

Access will be limited to residents of Yarnell only. Identification with a physical address is required (not a P.O. Box).

Each adult in the vehicle will need to present identification to gain access to the area. Acceptable identification includes an Arizona driver or ID card with physical address, a utility bill with physical address, phone bill with physical address, vehicle insurance card or vehicle registration.

As emergency managers continue to focus on “lifelines” – power, water, communications, gas and transportation – plans are to allow residents to return to the community of Yarnell on Monday morning.

However, the following should be taken into consideration:

 While there will be bottled water available, residents are advised to boil their household water for several days to avoid any issues as lines continue to flush. To be safe, water should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute, and let cool.

 An Individual Assistance Service Center (IASC) – center for those affected by the fire – will open beginning 9 a.m. Monday at the Yarnell Community Center, as well as the Presbyterian Church (Red Cross and Salvation Army). This center will be available to provide resources and information to residents. Available resources include tools and cleaning supplies, case managers, various state and local resources, and access to cooperating service organizations. The IASC will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will include representatives of the Yavapai County

Development Services, the Yavapai County Health Department, the Yavapai County Sheriff, the Arizona Division of Emergency Management, the Arizona departments of Economic Security and Insurance, Mennonite Disaster Services, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Services, The Salvation Army, the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter, and Arizona Public Service.

All residents must check in through the Individual Assistance Service Center. The Yarnell Community Center is located at 22302 State Route 89.

 Dumpsters will be available throughout the community for household waste and debris, as well as port‐a‐potties. Residents, upon returning, will be provided with information stressing the need to dispose of spoiled food.

 Volunteers with affiliated service organizations will be required to sign waivers before being granted access to the area. This is to establish expectations among volunteers and protect the interests of residents.

 Contractors will be verified by Yavapai County Development Services for valid Arizona license and will be issued clearance letters. Other for‐hire individuals will also be cleared by county staff.

 Through the Individual Assistance Service Center, housing needs will be assessed to identify helpful resources.

 Community meetings are preliminarily set for 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Assembly of God Church in Yarnell. Cooperating service organizations will meet daily at 8 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church.

 For the time being, State Route 89 will remain closed to allow for limited access for residents and service organizations.