Fire on North Rim of Grand Canyon being Managed under Wildland Fire Use Strategy

Grand Canyon, AZ - A lightning caused fire that started on June 15, is burning on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and is being managed under a Wildland Fire Use Strategy, a strategy that involves the management of naturally ignited wildland fires to accomplish specific, pre-stated resource objectives in pre-defined geographic areas.

The Powell Fire, as of 7:00 p.m. June 17, was estimated at 250 acres, and is burning primarily in ponderosa pine forest. This wildland use fire is helping to remove an accumulation of fuel, a natural process in a ponderosa pine ecosystem. The fire is approximately 15 air miles northwest of the North Rim developed area on Powell Plateau, and is burning primarily to the south and west. The fire is active and is expected to continue to burn for several weeks.

Due to its close proximity to the Kaibab Forest, Grand Canyon Fire Management staff is coordinating their efforts with the U.S.D.A. Forest Service.

Two Fire Use Modules, consisting of four personnel each, along with five overhead team members from Grand Canyon National Park are monitoring the fire for smoke impacts and fire behavior. Fire personnel are also taking precautionary measures to protect combustible cultural resources in the area.

The North Rim of Grand Canyon remains open to the public, however, a temporary closure of the North Bass and Powell Plateau Trails, along with Swamp Ridge Road is currently in effect to ensure public safety in these outlying areas.

For more information about these closures, please contact the Park's Backcountry Information Center at (928) 638-7875 or for general park information, please call (928) 638-7888.