Community News

News Release: Ikes Fire Grows to 58 Acres Despite Monsoon Weather

August 6, 2019

 Grand Canyon, AZ - The Ikes Fire continues to grow despite the minimal amount of moisture

received from recent storms. The fire is approximately 58 acres. 

 

Over the past two decades, there has been minimal to no fire activity in the northeast section of the current planning area. The lack of fire activity has lead to build up of vegetation which creates a higher fuel load for future fires moving through the area. Yesterday the fire moved into this area and fire managers anticipate fire activity will increase depending on the amount of precipitation received.

 

Crews may begin firing operations in the upcoming days. Crews will introduce fire along the planning area perimeter to secure control lines using low intensity heat. This fire activity may produce smoke visible on both the North Rim and South Rim.

 

Grand Canyon National Park has temporarily instituted closures for the portion of the Ikes Fire Planning Area that is within Grand Canyon National Park. The following areas are closed:

  • The Powell Plateau Trail on the North Rim of Grand Canyon. 
  • The North Bass Trail on the North Rim of Grand Canyon.
  • Fire Point on the North Rim of Grand Canyon.
  • Swamp Point on the North Rim of Grand Canyon.
  • The W4 road north of Kanabownits Lookout on the North Rim of Grand Canyon. 

This closure will remain in effect until further notice. Other roads and trails in the planning area may be temporarily closed due to hazards and fire personnel working in the area. 

 

Monsoon moisture is forecasted for the next several days. This is expected to bring isolated thunderstorms over the fire area and potentially impact the fire's growth.

  

Grand Canyon National Park is receiving interagency support from two Type Two Initial Attack
handcrews and local resources from the Kaibab National Forest and the Grand Canyon National Park. Other resources assigned to the fire are five engines, a medic team, a water tender, safety officer, and fire effects monitors. Approximately 77 personnel are assigned to the Ikes Fire.
 

The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.
 

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/.