Prescribed Fires Planned For Grand Canyon National Park, 2004

Grand Canyon, AZ - Prescribed fires will be implemented at Grand Canyon National Park as soon as environmental factors such as wind, temperature, relative humidity, and fuel moisture levels are favorable. Fire is an essential part of Grand Canyon's ecosystems and prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for promoting ecosystem health and reducing forest fuels. Many resource specialists are involved in the process of planning prescribed fires and the best available science is used to determine the most appropriate actions. All prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.

A combination of aerial and ground ignition will be used. Thorough planning can minimize smoke impacts; however, it is impossible to predict weather patterns and smoke behavior with complete accuracy. Smoke impacts may occur in adjacent communities and also along the river. Short-term closures, to ensure firefighter and public safety, may be implemented during these fire activities.

Spring Prescribed Fires	Size (acres)	Location
Long Jim III	1620	South Rim, along East Rim Drive
Topeka	2115	South Rim, on the southern boundary

Fall Prescribed Fires	Size (acres)	Location
Walhalla - Manzanita Point	3200	North Rim, 4 miles east of developed area
Walhalla - Cape Final	2300	North Rim, east of Cape Royal Road
Outlet	1000	North Rim, 3 miles northwest of developed area
Northwest I, III and V	2800	North Rim, near Swamp Point
Shoshone	650	South Rim, at Shoshone Point
Horsethief	500	South Rim, south of Hermit's Rest
Miscellaneous Pile Burns	50	various North Rim and South Rim locations

These prescribed fires will not necessarily occur in the order that they are listed, but rather, as conditions are favorable in each burn unit. You can learn more about Grand Canyon's Fire Management Program at http://www.nps.gov/grca/fire. For additional information, please call 928-638-7819 or 928-638-7947.