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Officials continue to allow<br>three North Rim fires to burn

NORTH RIM — Three fires continued to burn on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park last week and officials planned to allow the blazes to burn for resource benefits.

Fire officials wrap the Kanabownits Cabin in fire shelter material to protect it in the event that a fire reaches it. Fire crews also cleared brush and dead vegatation from a 50-foot area around the cabin.

As of Sunday, the Vista fire had burned 1,126 acres; the Swamp Ridge fire had encompassed 695 acres; and the Tower fire burned 504 acres.

Steve Sams, planning session chief on the North Rim, said the burns were progressing as expected with no surprises.

The Tower fire in the Walla Valley area was the most aggressive blaze in terms of size. It is expected to continue to burn for several weeks.

Fire officials took action to protect the historic Kanabownits Cabin from fire damage. The cabin, built in the 1920s as an administrative facility for the park, was wrapped in fire shelter material to protect it in case the fire did reach it.

Fire information officer George Broyles said fire crews also cleared brush and dead vegetation from a 50-foot area around the cabin.

"The fire hasn’t reached that area yet," Sams said. "With some of the clearing of undergrowth and the wrapping ... we feel very confident that it is adequately protected."

Action was also taken to protect Kanabownits Lookout Tower, Muav Cabin and Rock Cabin.

The fires are being allowed to burn as part of an identified management area on the North Rim. Fire crews monitor and evaluate the fires daily. They have been allowed to burn for the benefit of forest health.

Officials said holding actions would take place if the fires begin to contradict the resource goals they had identified or if the fires approach their predetermined boundaries.

Two fires on the South Rim were declared to be officially out. Neither the Duffner Rock fire nor the Long Jim fire grew to more than 1/10th of an acre in size.

Last week, the North Rim fires had created a potentially unsafe environment for the public, therefore there were a few road closures that went into effect Thursday morning.

Those temporary closures included Kanabownits Road from its intersection with Forest Service Road 268 south to the Point Sublime Road. Also, the Swamp Ridge Road remained closed from its intersection with the Kanabownits Road to Swamp Point. In addition, FS Road 268 remained closed in Kaibab National Forest.

Fire activity and smoke impacts over the weekend from the Vista fire forced the closure Monday morning of Cape Royal Road from its junction with Point Imperial Road south to Cape Royal, including the Walhalla Plateau.

Park officials stress to visitors that GCNP remains open to the public.

For the latest information on possible road closures and status on the fires, call 638-7819.


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