The Powell Fire Wildland Fire Use

Grand Canyon, AZ - The Powell Fire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon has burned 1,250 acres. Unlike many other fires burning in southern Arizona and New Mexico, the Powell Fire is being managed under a wildland fire use strategy that allows some naturally ignited fires to burn under specific conditions for resource benefits.

The Powell fire was started by lightning on June 15th. It is playing an important role in the ecological process by burning naturally and undisturbed in a remote area of the Park. Personnel on the fire are monitoring the fire, mapping its progression and observing and documenting weather and fire behavior.

A fire must meet certain criteria in order to be considered for Fire Use Management. It has to start naturally, it has to be on lands where there is a Fire Management Plan in place and it has to meet pre-defined goals and objectives that are reviewed on a daily basis.

The slow surface spread of the Powell Fire is creating 1-3 foot flame lengths as it burns primarily Ponderosa pine needle-litter and perennial grasses. Some increased fire behavior is expected on the steep brushy slopes off the east side of the plateau. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon remains open to visitors. The fire is not impacting visitors in the developed areas on the South and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The National Park is working closely with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to ensure air quality standards are met.

Wayne Cook, Incident Commander of the Northern Rockies Interagency Fire Use Management Team on the fire says, "We are here to assist the Park and the Kaibab National Forest in the management of the Powell Fire. Our team is comprised of some of the highest skilled and experienced personnel in wildland fire management. We also use the best available science to support decision making for the successful management of this wildland fire use event."

To ensure public safety, the following closures are still in effect: North Bass Trail, Powell Plateau Trail and Swamp Ridge Road. Please contact the Park's Backcountry Information Center at (928) 638-7875 for more information on these closures. For general park information, please call (928) 638-7888.

Please visit the following website for more information and photos of the fire: http://www.nps.gov/grca/fire/