Nine Fires On The Park's North Rim Are Being Managed For Resource Benefit

Grand Canyon, AZ - Nine fires on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park are being managed under the park's Wildland Fire Use strategy. This strategy allows some lightning-caused fires to burn, under favorable conditions and within a predetermined area, for resource benefit. The National Park Service is mandated to preserve and protect park resources and the processes that sustain them, including fire.

The Marble Complex consists of the Marble, Saffron, Bravo, Galahad, Rainbow, Quartz, Uncle and Valley Fires. All of the Marble Complex fires are located northwest of the North Rim developed area. The closest of these to the developed area is the Marble Fire, which is two miles away.

The Jim Fire, ignited by lightning yesterday, is also being managed for resource benefit. This fire is not considered a part of the Marble Complex because of its location. The Jim Fire is on Uncle Jim Point, one mile east of the North Rim developed area, and can be seen from the North Rim Lodge.

Fire activity on all of these fires has been very limited because of recent rains. Fire behavior consists of very small flames that are creeping along the forest floor and consuming pine needles and duff. Logs and other large fuels continue to smolder. Fire activity is expected to increase again as the weather dries; smoke will become more visible as well.

The Northern Arizona Zone Incident Management Team, under the command of Van Bateman, arrived on the park's North Rim this morning to assist with the Marble Complex fires. They will assume management of the fires on Saturday.

At this time, no fire related closures are in effect. For additional information, please call 928-638-7819 or visit Grand Canyon's web site at http://www.nps.gov/grca.