Pile Burning Planned for North Rim of Grand Canyon

Date: July 11, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has received wetting rains over the last week due to the onset of monsoonal moisture patterns in Northern Arizona. As a result, fire managers on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park are making plans to burn piles of woody debris within the next 30 days as weather and fuel conditions allow.

The piles were constructed during manual fuels reduction projects in preparation for future prescribed burns. They consist primarily of small tree branches, twigs, and needles.

Depending on weather and fuel moisture conditions, pile burning operations may occur at several locations on the North Rim, including along the west side of Highway 67 between the North Rim entrance station and the Lindbergh Hill area.

Park visitors are urged to use caution if traveling along Highway 67 while pile burning operations are occurring. Fire vehicles and personnel may be present along the roadway, and minor delays may be encountered.

Smoke impacts from these pile burning projects are expected to be minimal. However, visibility may be reduced along Highway 67.  Coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is already underway.

Fire activities on the North Rim of the park and the North Kaibab Ranger District of Kaibab National Forest are planned and managed jointly by the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service, working together as the Interagency North Zone Fire Management Program.

For more information on these projects, please contact Dave Robinson, North Zone Fuels Specialist, at 928-643-8138. 

-NPS-