Firefighters Overcome Challenge of Red Flag Conditions

Date: June 2, 2014
Contact: Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Red Flag conditions consisting of high temperatures, low relative humidity and gusty winds challenged firefighters again today, but they were able to hold the Galahad Fire west of the W-4 Road. These same weather conditions are forecasted for the rest of the week.  The fire is estimated at 2,172 acres.

Fire managers continue to place their focus on holding the fire west of the W-4 Road using a variety of tactics. They are managing the remainder of the fire to achieve resource benefits including improved wildlife habitat and forest health. These areas of the fire are mainly burning in the central portion of the Walla Valley Peninsula near the canyon rim in very rugged terrain and not posing any direct threats. It is also too dangerous to put firefighters into these areas. Aerial resources may be used in these areas if needed.

Today, firefighters continued to search for new spot fires east of the W-4 Road. No additional spots were detected.  Containment lines on the W-4 Road continued to be improved and strengthened by firefighters north and south of Kanabownits Cabin. Helicopters were used to assist firefighters in detecting fire spots east of the W-4 Road and for water drops in areas below the canyon rim to reduce fire activity.

Wind patterns will likely carry the smoke to the northeast towards Marble Canyon and Page, Arizona. Smoke may be visible over a wide area in both northern Arizona and southern Utah. The smoke may also settle into some of the valleys and lower areas in the morning hours in
Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring Kaibab National Forest, but is expected to lift during the day as temperatures rise.

Two road closures are in effect for public and firefighter safety; the W-4 Road is closed from the junction of the FS268B road south to Point Sublime and the W-1 Road, also known as the Point Sublime Road, is closed from the W-4 junction, east to the western end of the basin.  

The lightning-caused Galahad Fire was discovered on Friday, May 23, 2014 on the Walla Valley Peninsula, west of the main park road.  

You can follow the progress of this fire as well as view maps and pictures on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov. For additional fire information, please call 928-638-7819 (recorded message) or follow @GrandCanyonNPS on Twitter.

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