Poplar Fire Complex Receives Precipitation

Grand Canyon, AZ - A cold front moved in to Grand Canyon on Thursday and blanketed the Poplar Complex with heavy precipitation resulting in greatly reduced fire activity. Within the past 24 hours, high humidity, low temperatures and six tenths of an inch of rain and hail have stopped the fire advance. Precipitation, including rain and snow, is expected to continue over the next 24 hours. The weather's affect on the fire has prompted fire management to begin releasing crews, support equipment and most personnel.

Both the Big and Corral Fires have been contained. The Poplar Fire Complex will be turned back to the Grand Canyon National Park on Sunday. The Poplar Fire is expected to continue to burn at low intensity but is not expected to affect visitor use of the North Rim.

Fire Name	Status	Approximate Location	Start Date	Size
Big Fire	contained	Big Springs area	08/23/03	455 acres
Poplar Fire	active	Big Springs area	09/04/03	7,726 acres
Corral Fire	contained	North Kaibab Trailhead	08/15/03	19 acres

All North Rim services are open, including lodge, dining facilities, campground and associated operations.

For recorded information about the fires, call 928-638-7819 or visit www.nps.gov/grca/fire/. For backcountry travel information, call 928-638-7875.