News Release

Ikes Fire Remains Active Despite Regular Rain Showers

Fire crews are burning piles of heavy fuels

News Release Date: August 10, 2019

Contact: Brandalyn Vonk (NPS), 602-730-6144

Contact: Jacqueline Banks (USFS), 928-635-8314

Grand Canyon, AZ -The Ikes Fire has seen minimal growth over the past 2 days due to multiple rain showers over the fire area. "Due to moisture, fire activity has been limited," stated Paul Lemmon, Ikes Fire Incident Commander. "But the fire continues to burn within the duff layer of needles, leaf litter, and downed logs along the forest floor."
 
The weather forecast for the next several days predicts higher temperatures, lower humidity, and a low chance of rain. "With predicted hotter and drier weather the next 6 to 10 days, there could be potential for increased fire behavior" stated Lemmon.  
 
Firefighters continue to improve control lines along the National Park Service W4 road and Forest Road 223. These roads serve as the southern and northern boundaries of the fire's planning area. 59 personnel are currently assigned to the Ikes Fire.
 
The Ikes Fire, which started on July 25th due to lighting strike, is located 3 miles east of Swamp Point on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The fire is less than 1 mile south of the boundary with the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. 
 
Closure Orders remain in effect for both the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park for the Ikes Fire. Learn more about the official closure orders by visiting https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6475/.
 
Fire managers will continue the strategy of confinement and containment in the planning area while providing for point protection of identified sensitive natural and cultural resources. The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.

Please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for additional information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park or call 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information. For additional information about the Ikes fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6475/.

For fire information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or @KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter or call [phone] for recorded fire information.