Wildland Fire in Grand Canyon National Park: The lightning-caused fire is being utilized to fulfill its natural role in a fire-dependent ecosystem within a defined planning area of 7,785 acres on the Kaibab Plateau. The fire is being utilized to achieve a variety of resource objectives including reducing hazardous fuels, promoting forest regeneration, improving wildlife habitat, and restoring more open forest understory with grasses and forbs.
Each fire start within the National Park is evaluated by fire management officials for the most appropriate management strategy. Firefighter safety, resources at risk, location of the fire, available resources, regional and national preparedness levels, and weather forecast are taken into consideration when responding to a wildfire ignition. Over the years, firefighters learned that when all fire is suppressed, fuels build up making larger and damaging fires unavoidable. Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest are working together to safely utilize this lightning caused fire effectively and to promote healthy forest regeneration.
Location and Cause:The Ikes Fire, which started on July 25, is a lighting caused fire located approximately three miles east of Swamp Point in Grand Canyon National Park North Rim.
Current Conditions: Over the next few days, the Ikes Fire will begin to right-size resources. Crews will be released from the fire as objectives are met and made available to assist with other wildfires in the country. Remaining resources will patrol and hold the fire perimeter to ensure the fire remains within the planning area. The fire has spread across approximately 6,001 acres within the 7,785-acre planning area, and has 61 resources assigned.
One of the main objectives for utilizing the Ikes Fire within the 7,785-acre planning area is for resource benefit. The Type 3 Incident Management Team is using a variety of methods to confine the fire within the predetermined area. These methods include the usage of natural barriers and constructed fireline while tactical firing operations along the perimeter are incorporated to add depth to the line. Once the line is completed, it slows or stops fire as it approaches.
Completion of the Ikes Fire Objectives is currently at 77%. This portion of the pre-determined planning area has had fire move through it with low to moderate fire behavior observed. Fire is a force of nature that has shaped the vegetation and ecosystems of the national parks.
Closures: Grand Canyon North Rim is OPEN.The following roads and trails on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have been closed for public safety and to allow firefighters to conduct operations in the area of the fire.
- Powell Plateau Trail, North Bass Trail, Fire Point, Swamp Point, and the W4 road north of the intersection of W4 and W1
The Kaibab National Forest instituted a Temporary Area Closure for all National Forests System lands and roads within the Ikes Fire Planning Area. This Order will be in effect beginning at 8:00 AM on August 8, 2019, and shall remain in effect until September 27, 2019, or until rescinded, whichever comes first.
This closure will remain in effect until further notice. Other roads and trails in the planning area may be temporarily blocked off due to hazards and fire personnel working in the area.
The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.
Resources: Grand Canyon National Park is receiving interagency support from one Type 2 Initial Attack crew, eight engines crews, one dozer, one medic team, a water tender, safety officer, fire effects monitors, resource advisor, and miscellaneous Incident Management Team members.
More Fire Information: 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 www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or @KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter or call (928) 635-8311 for recorded fire information.
