Update: North Rim Prescribed Fires, October 26
Incident: Range Prescribed Fire
Released: 10/26/2012
North Zone Interagency Fire Managers currently anticipate initiating the Range Prescribed Fire (Range Rx) on Saturday, October 27. If conditions are favorable, fire managers plan to begin both hand and aerial ignitions before noon. If fire behavior and effects are within desired parameters, ignitions may continue for up to five days.
Closures and Delays:
Moderate to heavy smoke impacts to Highway 67 (the park entrance road) are anticipated throughout the Range Rx. Visitors should be prepared for poor visibility as well as possible delays and intermittent closures along the entrance road. Overnight closures of the road are also possible. Drivers are advised to use their headlights and to watch for and obey traffic signs and personnel.
In addition, the Range Road (also known as the w1a road) and the Arizona Trail, from its junction with the w1 road (also known as the Point Sublime) north to its intersection with Hwy 67, will close at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 27 and will remain closed throughout the Range Rx. During daylight hours, public safety officers will check the closures about once per hour and will be prepared to shuttle hikers to the next available access point.
Additional Arizona Trail closures may be implemented during the Thompson Prescribed Fire.
Smoke:
Smoke from the Range Rx will be visible along Hwy 67 and Hwy 89A as well as from various locations on both the North and South Rims. During the day, smoke is expected to rise as temperatures warm and settle as temperatures cool in the evening. Smoke is also expected to settle into the canyon at night and may also settle in the North Rim development, House Rock Valley, Marble Canyon and Page areas. Smoke impacts have the potential to be heavy in the inner canyon.
Range Rx maps, pictures and information will be available at http://www.inciweb.org/unit/313/. For additional information you may contact Fire Information Officer Michelle Fidler at 928-638-7819.
