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Fires managed as wildland use<br>

Naturally-occurring wildland fires have been integral to the health of the southwest’s ecosystem, burning smaller trees before they become fuel that can carry larger, catastrophic fires; clearing the forest floor of debris; and thinning tree stands so that remaining, larger trees have less competition for resources. Fire also returns nutrients to the soil and maintains animal habitats.

Both North Rim fires are being closely monitored and suppression actions will be taken if fire behavior contradicts resource management objectives. The National Park Service is mandated to preserve and protect park resources and the processes that sustain them, including fire.

The Marble Fire has grown to five acres. Located south of the Basin, about two miles northwest of the North Rim developed area, it is creeping slowly along the forest floor and burning pine needles and duff.

The Dutton Fire, on Dutton Point, a remote portion of the Powell Plateau, is approximately 12 miles northwest of the North Rim developed area. As of last weekend, it consisted of a single burning snag. The fires are barely visible but fire behavior is expected to increase as forest fuels begin to dry out.

A temporary road closure of the Point Sublime Road (W-1) was enacted last week but lifted on Sunday.

On the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, three fires were allowed to burn. The largest, the Transfer Fire, is closest to Tusayan and north of Ten-X Campground. As of Monday, it had grown to 230 acres.

The Bucklar Fire is about 60 acres and the three-acre Mason Fire was likely out or nearly out, said Annie Hanson of the Kaibab National Forest.


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