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Contact: Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, 928-638-7958
Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Due to the hard work of firefighters and the successful plan they implemented, the Galahad Fire has been contained to the point where no direct threats remain to park resources. The fire is not out, but the chances of it crossing existing containment lines have been greatly reduced. The fire is estimated to be 3,102 acres and 30% contained. Fire managers are confident that the fire will stay to the west of the W-4 Road on the Walla Valley Peninsula and continue to provide resource benefits including improving forest health and wildlife habitat. Some firefighters, engines and aircraft will be released over the next few days and made available to other fires if needed. A smaller number of firefighters and engines will remain to ensure that the fire poses no additional threats to crossing the W-4 Road to the east. Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor the fire daily until it is declared out. Smoke from the fire will continue to be present as it burns itself out or receives a significant amount of precipitation. Smoke could be visible for days or even weeks depending on fuel and weather conditions. Smoke should have little impact on park visitors or surrounding communities. The containment figure of 30% is based on the portion of the fire that firefighters have been actively controlling, which is mainly along the W-4 Road. The remaining portion of the fire on the Walla Valley Peninsula is being naturally contained by the canyon rim and previously burned areas where there is less fuel left to burn. Two road closures remain 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. You can continue to follow the progress of the Galahad 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. -NPS- *This will be the last update on the Galahad Fire unless significant events occur* |
Last updated: February 24, 2015