Fuller Fire grows close to 6,000 acres on Grand Canyon's North Rim
More than 500 firefighters were battling a growing 5,940-acre blaze on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, fire officials said.
The fire, which began after a lightning strike two weeks ago, is burning about three miles southwest of Point Imperial Road.
Its aggressive behavior has led to multiple closures along Cape Royal and Point Imperial roads, which are home to two of the easier, shorter North Rim day hikes. Firefighters plan to continue burnout operations along those roads, fire officials said.
The North Rim lodge, visitor center and campground remain open.
Hot, dry winds and low humidity fueled the fire's growth Saturday, causing some firefighters to withdraw, Michelle Fidler, Fuller Fire spokeswoman for the National Forest Service, said.
Reinforcements were requested, and more crews were expected by the end of the day Saturday, she said. Hotshot crews and engines planned to monitor the north and south sides of the fire throughout the night, according to fire officials.
The fire started around 5 p.m. on July 29, fueled by dead and downed logs on the forest floor and aspen-tree regeneration in an area burned by the 2000 Outlet Fire. That fire burned more than 14,000 acres.
The fire was zero percent contained, Fidler said. The volume of smoke prompted a health alert about light haze from city officials in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Fire managers will focus on keeping the fire east of Highway 67, north of Cape Royal Road and south of Forest Service Road 610. Smoke was expected to spread east and northeast of the North Rim, with columns visible from Kanab, Utah; Marble Canyon, Cameron, Arizona, the South Rim and other areas near the fire.
- The Arizona Trail from Lindberg Hill north to the Grand Canyon National Park boundary.
- The Ken Patrick Trail.
- The Point Imperial Trail.
- The Nankoweap Trail.
- The Saddle Mountain Trail.
- The South Canyon Trail Current.
Road closures:
- Fuller Canyon Road.
- Cape Royal Road.
- Point Imperial Road.
- Cape Royal Road.
- Forest Service 610 Road.
- Forest Service 611 Road.
Park and forest areas that remain open include:
- North Rim Visitor Center.
- North Rim Lodge.
- North Rim Campground.
- Highway 67.
- Forest State Road 22.
- Rainbow Rim Trail.
Includes information from Associated Press.
