Kanabownits Fire to be Managed for Multiple Objectives on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have decided to manage the Kanabowntis Fire for multiple objectives. The lightning-caused Kanabowntis Fire was discovered in Grand Canyon National Park on Tuesday, July 8th at 7: 16 p.m. and is approximately 4 acres in size. Current fire behavior is moderate with backing in needle cast and dead and down trees and burning in a few standing snags. The fire is located approximately 1 mile northeast of the historic Kanabownits Cabin on the Walla Valley Peninsula.

The Kanabownits Fire is being managed for both resource and protection objectives. Resource objectives for the fire include returning fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem in order to maintain forest health. Protection objectives for the fire include protection of sensitive cultural resources and wildlife habitat. A Wildland Fire Module is being ordered to support the fire management objectives. Additional overhead staff is already assigned to the fire. There are no closures in effect at this time; however, smoke impacts may be possible.

You can follow the progress of this fire as well as view maps on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov. For additional fire information, please call 928-638-7819 (recorded message) or Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Public Affairs Specialist, at 928-638-7958 or follow @GrandCanyonNPS on Twitter. For more on Grand Canyon's fire management program, please visit the park's web site at http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.

Grand Canyon, Ariz. –National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are managing the Kanabownits Fire for multiple objectives. Lightning ignited the fire Tuesday, July 8, about one mile northeast of the historic Kanabownits Cabin on the Walla Valley Peninsula.

The Kanabownits Fire, mapped July 24 at 260 acres, experienced minimal growth for several days until fire behavior increased with hot, dry weather this week. The fire, which is burning in the 2003 Poplar Fire burn area, is spreading through needle cast, logs and standing snags, as well as some Ponderosa forest. Higher humidity and very light rainfall on Thursday limited the fire’s spread. The forecast calls for similar weather Friday. Currently 26 people, including two Wildland Fire Modules and overhead are assigned to the fire. Fire managers have also ordered a 20-person Interagency Hotshot Crew, a type 3 incident commander and a division supervisor, who are expected to arrive on Friday.

No closures are in effect at this time; however, smoke impacts may be possible. You can follow the progress of this fire as well as view maps on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3984/. For additional fire information, please call 928-638-7819 (recorded message) or Traci Weaver, Public Information Officer, at 928-638-7065 or follow @GrandCanyonNPS on Twitter. For more on Grand Canyon’s fire management program, please visit the park’s web site at http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.