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Fire Closes Point Imperial Road At Grand Canyon’s North Rim

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A lightning-caused wildlife has forced the closure of the Point Imperial Road on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The developed area of the North Rim, including Grand Canyon Lodge, remains open, the park said in a release.

Firefighters conducted an aerial reconnaissance flight this afternoon and estimate the Fuller Fire is 1,324 acres. About 66 personnel are assigned, including one hotshot crew, one hand crew, and three engines. The fire is north of Fuller Canyon Road, about three miles west/southwest of Point Imperial. No structures are currently threatened by the fire.

Beginning today, the following closures were implemented for public safety:

  • The 2.6-mile Point Imperial Road is closed at the junction with the Cape Royal Road.
  • The Arizona Trail is closed from Lindberg Hill north to the park boundary.
  • The Forest Service 610 Road is closed at the junction with the Forest Service 611 Road.

Point Imperial, the highest point on the North Rim at 8,803 feet, overlooks the Painted Desert and the eastern end of Grand Canyon, with a prominent view of Mount Hayden. 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. You can follow the progress of this fire as well as view maps and photos on Inciweb.

The lightning-ignited Fuller Fire is burning in an area that burned with high fire severity during the 2000 Outlet Fire. Fuels include dead and downed logs and stands of aspen regeneration. The fire is being managed for both resource and protection objectives. Resource objectives include returning to a fire-adapted ecosystem, while 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 of the fire 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 Thursday, including two more hotshot crews. Fire managers may use handheld drip torches to conduct strategic burnout operations. Helicopters may also drop water on hotspots near the fire’s edge if needed. A Type 2 Incident Management Team will arrive Thursday and begin shadowing the Type 3 incident organization.

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