News Release

Bryce Canyon to Burn Debris Piles at Rainbow Point

Date: May 7, 2019
Contact: Peter Densmore, 4358344744
Contact: Doug Sprouse, 4358344755

Officials at Bryce Canyon National Park announced today that the burning of debris piles created from a recent fuel reduction treatment project at Rainbow Point is expected to begin this month. Rainbow Point is located at the south end of the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, 17 miles from the park’s Visitor Center. No closures are anticipated.

Burning of the over 400 debris piles may begin the week of May 6th, and will continue only when specific weather conditions allow for acceptable smoke dispersal and little chance of fire spread. All burning activities will be done in such a way as to minimize impacts to the park’s resources, visitors, and surrounding communities. Smoke from the debris piles may be visible to park visitors and local residents, but should produce only minor, localized impacts. The piles may smolder for a few days after ignition, but fire staff will closely monitor them until declared out.   

The goal of the 50-acre Rainbow Point fuel reduction project is to reduce the amount of hazardous fuel accumulation around the Rainbow Point area and thus reduce the risks from wildfire to structures and other facilities. The fuel reduction project was begun using mechanical methods such as chainsaws and other hand tools to reduce and thin accumulated material, both live and dead. The debris was then placed into piles away from structures and trees to be burned by park personnel once weather conditions permit. 

Previous fuels reduction work in the Rainbow Point area was crucial to wildland fire crews’ ability to safely manage last year’s Riggs and Lonely fires, which burned over 2,200 acres across National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service land to the southeast of Rainbow Point.

Additional information can also be obtained by calling the park’s main information line at [phone].