Poplar Complex Fires Slow, Highway 67 Reopens This Afternoon

Weather conditions are expected to be favorable for fire suppression efforts today with cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Given these conditions and the current fire behavior, Highway 67 will reopen to all traffic early this afternoon.

Suppression efforts continue on the 7,180-acre Poplar Fire, as well as the 455-acre Big Fire today. The Corral Fire was fully contained at 19-acres on Monday. All three fires in the Poplar Complex had been managed under a Wildland Fire Use strategy, which allows some lightning-caused fires to burn for resource benefits. This strategy also calls for suppression actions to occur when resource management objectives are not being met.

Visitors entering the park should be aware of continued smoke being created by the Poplar Complex fires. Firefighters, along with engines and other suppression equipment will be present. Please drive cautiously and observe speed restrictions around the park entrance and other areas where fire traffic is present.

All North Rim facilities are open for regular operating hours, including the lodge and dining facilities. The campground and the camper store are open.

Fire Name	Status	Approximate Location	Start Date	Size
Big Fire	active	Big Springs area	08/23/03	455 acres
Poplar Fire	active	Big Springs area	09/04/03	7,180 acres
Corral Fire	contained	North Kaibab Trailhead	08/15/03	19 acres

For recorded information about the fires, call 928-638-7819. To speak with a Fire Information Officer, call 928-638-7922 after 2:00 pm today. For backcountry travel information, call 928-638-7875.