Point Imperial Road Closed; North Rim Developed Area Remains Open

Date: July 13, 2016
Contact: Emily Davis, 928-638-7609
Contact: Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Firefighters conducted an aerial reconnaissance flight this afternoon and estimate the Fuller Fire is approximately 1,324 acres. Approximately 66 personnel are currently assigned including one hotshot crew, one hand crew, and three engines. The lightning-caused fire is located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, north of Fuller Canyon Road, about three miles west/southwest of Point Imperial. The North Rim Developed Area remains open.

Beginning Wednesday, July 13, the following closures will be implemented for public safety.

• The Point Imperial Road will be closed at the junction with the Cape Royal Road.
• The Arizona Trail will be closed from Lindberg Hill, north to the park boundary. 
• The FS 610 Road will be closed at the junction with the FS 611 Road.

The lightning-ignited Fuller Fire continues to burn within an area that burned with high fire severity during the 2000 Outlet Fire.  Fuels in the area include dead and down logs and stands of aspen regeneration.  

The Fuller Fire is being managed for both resource and protection objectives. Resource objectives include returning fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem. Protection objectives include the protection of sensitive wildlife habitat. No structures are threatened.

Hot, dry conditions are expected to continue for the next week. Continued growth is anticipated based on current and expected weather conditions. Fire managers may use a full range of actions to delay, direct, or minimize the spread of fire as needed. Additional fire personnel will be arriving tomorrow, including two more hotshot crews. Fire managers may use handheld driptorches to conduct strategic burnout operations if needed. Helicopters may also drop water on hotspots near the fire's edge if needed. A Type 2 Incident Management Team will arrive tomorrow afternoon and will begin shadowing the Type 3 incident organization.

Smoke is visible from Highway 67 and the North Rim, Marble Canyon, Cameron, and the South Rim. If it looks smoky, you may want to limit or avoid exercise or other outdoor activities. Visit http://wildlandfire.az.gov/links.asp#Smoke for more information on smoke and your health.

You can follow the progress of this fire as well as view maps and photos on Inciweb athttps://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4845/or follow @GrandCanyonNPS on Twitter.

-NPS-