Firefighters Going Home

Grand Canyon, AZ - While the majority of firefighters will be travelling back to their home units, the Poplar and Rose Fires will continue to be monitored by engine crews checking for hot spots. They will remove snags along roads, mop-up, and patrol for any flare-ups. Surface fire will remain minimal due to cool weather and shorter days therefor fire behavior will be smoldering and creeping. However, neither fire will be completely out until significant snowfall takes place. Firefighters have completed a burnout along the W-1 road. The road closures will remain in effect due to falling snags and other safety concerns. Firefighters did an excellent job during the past weeks while working on the fires, and no injuries occurred.

Smoke from the California fires has drifted over not only the Grand Canyon, but also the entire region. Smoky days may be experienced in the Canyon again. You may view the smoke column from the California fires by pulling up the park's web site at www.nps.gov/grca.

These fires pose potential hazards associated with continued burning, and numerous snags have fallen across the roads on a daily basis. A temporary closure to ensure public safety has been implemented in the Swamp Ridge area. The Swamp Ridge Road (W-4) is closed from the Kanabownits Road junction, west to Swamp Point. The North Bass Trail has been closed from the trailhead at Swamp Point to Redwall Canyon. The Powell Plateau Trail has also been closed from the trailhead at Swamp Point to its terminus on Powell Plateau (full closure). The W-1 Road has been closed at Tiyo Point Road junction to Sublime Point. These areas will reopen as soon as fire behavior has moderated and the area is safe for reentry.

Fire Name	Status	Approximate Location	Start Date	Size
Poplar Fire	active	Big Springs area	09/04/03	11,306 acres
Rose Fire	active	south of Swamp Ridge Rd	10/07/03	3,482 acres

For additional information about the fires, call 928-638-7819. For backcountry travel information, call 928-638-7875. (www.nps.gov/grca/fire/)