Weather Conditions Are Favorable For The Outlet Prescribed Fire

Grand Canyon, AZ - Continued favorable weather conditions may create a good window of opportunity for fire managers to ignite the Outlet prescribed fire as early as Monday. Prescribed fires are based on approved burn plans that take into account a variety of environmental factors and emphasize the safety of area residents, park visitors, and fire fighters. A combination of hand and aerial ignition will be used to light the 1,100-acre Outlet prescribed fire, located just west of the North Rim developed area.

To ensure public safety, the W1-C Road/Trail and the Widforss Trail will be closed to public entry from 6:00 AM on August 29, 2004, until further notice. Please note that the W4 Road (Point Sublime Road) including access to Point Sublime, Swamp Ridge, North Bass Trail, and all points in between will remain open.

This ignition could produce a large amount of smoke. Every effort will be made to minimize smoke impacts; however, some impacts may occur in adjacent communities or along the Colorado River.

Fire activity is also expected to increase on thirteen Wildland Fire Use fires that are currently being managed on the park's North Rim. T he Marble Complex, n orthwest of the North Rim developed area, consists of the Marble, Saffron, Dutton, Bravo, Galahad, Rainbow, Quartz, Uncle and Vic fires. The Jim Complex, east of the North Rim developed area, consists of the Jim, Bright and Roosevelt fires. The Quartz and Bright fires are active and highly visible at this time. These fires are being managed under the park's Wildland Fire Use strategy, which allows some lightning caused fires to burn under specific conditions and within a predetermined area for resource benefit.

The park remains open and all visitor services are operational. For additional information, please call 928-638-7819 or visit Grand Canyon's web site at http://www.nps.gov/grca