North Rim of Grand Canyon Open

North Rim, AZ - Visitor access to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park reopened Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. due to reduced fire activity from favorable weather conditions. All North Rim services are open, including lodge, dining facilities, campground and associated operations.

We expect little fire spread for the rest of the week due to lower temperatures, higher relative humidity and expected rain. Rain showers are predicted from Thursday through Sunday. The heavy fuels will continue to burnout within the fire perimeter. Thunderstorm activity is expected Thursday with possible high winds. This could create hazardous conditions within the fire perimeter due to falling snags. Given these conditions, firefighter and public safety remains a high priority.

Both the Big and Corral Fires have been contained. Mop up work will continue today. On the Poplar Fire, helicopters will continue to be used to suppress burning and torching of unburned fuel near the southern portion of the fire.

Thursday, crews will construct hand-line from the Big Fire to the dozer line previously constructed along the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park boundary. This contingency line was constructed last week as a break to prevent fire growth to the north.

Currently 158 personnel are committed to the fires including two crews, six helicopters, six engines, two dozers and six water tenders.

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	7,186 acres
Corral Fire	contained	North Kaibab Trailhead	08/15/03	19 acres

For recorded information about the fires, call 928-638-7819 or visit www.nps.gov/grca/fire/. To speak with a Fire Information Officer, call 928-638-7922. For backcountry travel information, call 928-638-7875.