The Powell Fire Wildland Fire Use

Grand Canyon, AZ - The smoke that is visible at different times during the day in the Grand Canyon is coming from the Powell Fire. The fire is burning in a remote location on the Powell Plateau, 15 air miles northwest of the North Rim developed area. It is about 2,030 acres and burning to the south and southwest on the Plateau.

The fire is being managed under a wildland fire use strategy that involves the management of some naturally ignited wildland fires to accomplish specific, pre-stated resource objectives in pre-defined geographic areas.

Monitoring and tracking smoke effects is one of the objectives on this incident. Carl Bowman, Air Quality Specialist for Grand Canyon National Park says, "Yesterday, air quality was not good in the Canyon as a result of a high pressure system in the area. These high pressure systems can prevent winds from dispersing smoke completely out of the Canyon. Typically, smoke is less visible from late morning through mid to late afternoon allowing for the best viewing opportunities in the Canyon. The good news is that the National Weather Service is predicting a change in the weather with a chance of showers by Wednesday or Thursday this week. Rain will help wash the air and improve visibility levels."

Personnel assigned to the fire are monitoring fire behavior and weather, mapping progression of the fire and documenting resource issues.

Today, winds will be steady 2-5 mph, becoming southwest 8 to 12 mph gusting to 20 mph by afternoon. The slow surface spread of the Powell Fire will continue with 1-2 foot flame lengths and short uphill runs off the steep brushy slopes.

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.

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon remains open to visitors.

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