Grand Canyon National Park Implements Temporary Road and Trail Closures on the North Rim; Obi Fire Grows to 2,270 Acres

Grand Canyon, AZ - Grand Canyon National Park will implement closures of the Cape Royal Road, Cape Final Trail, and Cliff Spring Trail tomorrow August 4th, 2018 at 9:00 pm. This closure is for public and firefighter safety as crews continue to prep the Walhalla Plateau. Park visitors currently planning on driving along Cape Royal Road or hiking at Cape Final or Cliff Spring are required to be out of the area by 9:00 pm. tomorrow. The temporary closure is in effect until further notice. The road to Point Imperial and all other North Rim trails and facilities are open at this time.

The Obi Fire is approximately 2,270 acres. Growth today was primarily in the northern and eastern portions of the fire perimeter. Light southwesterly winds throughout the day allowed fire to grow through pine needles and downed logs. Fire behavior was active with single tree torching and surface fire of one to four foot flames where the fire was consuming dead logs. "While crews continue prep of the Walhalla Plateau, we would like to acknowledge the inconvenience it creates for visitors and appreciate their understanding in prioritizing firefighter and public safety," said Incident Commander trainee Bryan Hakanson.

Located in the far southwest corner of the Wahalla Plateau above Obi Point, the Obi Fire started on July 21st. Fire managers plan to continue the strategy of confining and containing the lightning caused fire in a predetermined area while providing for point protection of identified sensitive natural and cultural resources.

Smoke from the Obi Fire is visible from both the North and South Rims of the park. Visitors may see increased smoke or haze filling the canyon. For more information about air quality at Grand Canyon National Park visit,https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_city&cityid=31 .

Each fire start is evaluated by fire management officials for the most appropriate management strategy. Firefighter safety, resources at risk, location of the fire, available resources, regional and national preparedness levels, and weather forecast are taken into consideration when responding to a wildfire ignition.

Please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for other information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park or call 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information. For additional information and photos of the fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6030/.

Located on the Wahalla Plateau, the Obi Fire started on July 21st. NPS Photo

Grand Canyon, AZ - Grand Canyon National Park has temporarily closed Cape Royal Road. Included in this closure are Cape Final Trail, Cliff Spring Trail, the northern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Point Imperial to Cape Royal Road, and the southern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Cape Royal Road to the old Bright Angel Trail.

These closures are for public and firefighter safety as crews continue to prep the Walhalla Plateau. The temporary closure is in effect until further notice. The road to Point Imperial and all other North Rim trails and facilities are open at this time.

The Obi Fire is approximately 3,550 acres. Growth today was primarily in the northern and eastern portions of the fire perimeter. "With higher wind speeds today, the Obi Fire saw increased fire behavior and growth." said Incident Commander trainee Bryan Hakanson. The fire continues to grow through pine needles and downed logs. Fire behavior was active with isolated tree torching and surface fire of one to four foot flames where the fire was consuming dead logs.

Smoke from the Obi Fire is visible from both the North and South Rims of the park. Tomorrows planned activities include hand ignitions along the northern perimeter. Visitors may see increased smoke or haze filling the canyon. For more information about air quality at Grand Canyon National Park visit, https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_city&cityid=31 .

Located on the Wahalla Plateau, the Obi Fire started on July 21st. Fire managers plan to continue the strategy of confining and containing the lightning caused fire in a predetermined area while providing for point protection of identified sensitive natural and cultural resources. Resources assigned to the fire include one Type 2IA handcrew, five engines, one helicopter, helitack, and a fire ecologist.

Each fire start is evaluated by fire management officials for the most appropriate management strategy. Firefighter safety, resources at risk, location of the fire, available resources, regional and national preparedness levels, and weather forecast are taken into consideration when responding to a wildfire ignition.

Please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for other information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park or call 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information. For additional information and photos of the fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6030/ .

Fire creeps along the ground and engulfs some trees during burnout operations along Cape Royal Road.
NPS Photo / Tom Engberg


Grand Canyon, AZ - The Obi Fire is estimated at 9,921 acres. Growth today was primarily in the southern portions of the fire perimeter as the fire continues to back down towards Cape Royal. Fire behavior is active with isolated tree torching and surface fire of one to four foot flames where the fire is consuming dead logs. The fire continues to grow through pine needles and downed logs.

Grand Canyon National Park has implemented temporary closures for the Swamp Ridge Road, the North Bass Trail, and the Powell Plateau Trail. Fire Point, the Nankoweap Trail, and the Point Imperial Trail remain closed. Grand Canyon National Park has also closed Cape Royal Road from the junction with the Point Imperial Road. Included in this closure are Cape Final Trail, Cliff Spring Trail, the northern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Point Imperial to Cape Royal Road, and the southern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Cape Royal Road to the old Bright Angel Trail. These temporary closures are in effect until further notice. The road to Point Imperial and all other North Rim trails and facilities are open at this time. Prior to visiting these areas visitors should check-in at the Backcountry Information Center or the North Rim Visitor Center.

“Due to public and firefighter safety, the Cape Royal Road still remains closed. With sudden wind shifts and smoke across the road, the Cape Royal Road is unsafe for motorists at this time,” said Incident Commander Paul Lemmon.

Smoke from the Obi Fire is visible from both the North and South Rims of the park. There is also visible smoke being produced by fires on the Kaibab National Forest. Large scale wildfires across the west may also have impacts on the canyon over the next few days. Visitors may see increased smoke or haze filling the canyon. Individuals sensitive to smoke can learn how to help protect their health by visiting the Coconino County Public Health Services District website.

Resources assigned to the fire include one Type 2IA handcrew, three engines, one helicopter, one helitack crew, and a fire ecologist.

Grand Canyon, AZ - Growth of the Obi Fire was minimal this morning, but as the sun dried out fine fuels, the fire reanimated and became semi-active. The majority of the fire growth was in the southern section of the Wahalla Plateau. The Fire is now estimated at 10,067 acres. Fire crews continued backburning operations in the afternoon along Cape Royal Road and are close to wrapping up these operations as they approach Cape Royal. Fire behavior is active with isolated tree torching and surface fire of one to four-foot flames where the fire is consuming dead logs. The fire continues to grow through pine needles and downed logs.

Temporary road and trail closures remain in effect for Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim. Swamp Ridge Road, the North Bass Trail, Powell Plateau Trail, Fire Point, Nankoweap Trail, and the Point Imperial Trail are closed. Additionally, Cape Royal Road from the junction with the Point Imperial Road remains closed for visitor and firefighter safety. Included in this closure are Cape Final Trail, Cliff Spring Trail, the northern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Point Imperial to Cape Royal Road, and the southern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Cape Royal Road to the old Bright Angel Trail. All temporary closures are in effect until further notice. Fire managers are continuously assessing conditions in the area and will work directly with and will immediately advise park managers as conditions change and it becomes safe to reopen roads and trails. The road to Point Imperial and all other North Rim trails and facilities are open at this time. Prior to visiting these areas visitors should check-in at the Backcountry Information Center or the North Rim Visitor Center.

Smoke from the Obi Fire is visible from both the North and South Rims of the park. There is also visible smoke being produced by fires on the Kaibab National Forest. Large scale wildfires across the west may also have impacts on the canyon over the next few days. Visitors may see increased smoke or haze filling the canyon. Individuals sensitive to smoke can learn how to help protect their health by visiting the Coconino County Public Health Services District website.

Resources assigned to the fire include one Type 2IA handcrew, three engines, one helicopter, one helitack crew, and a fire ecologist.

A wildland fire truck sits along the Cape Royal Road as smoke billows from burnout operations.
NPS Photo / Tom Engberg

Fire managers are reporting that the Obi Fire has now consumed nearly all of the fuels located in the containment area on the Walhalla Plateau. Fire behavior was observed as creeping with continued smoke production. The final acreage reported for the fire is 11,532. There have been no injuries to firefighters or public reported at this time which achieves our first and highest goal in wildfire management.

Resources currently assigned to the Obi Fire are being dispatched to higher priority incidents throughout the region as Obi Fire operations deescalate. Further downsizing of personnel is expected over the next few days. Remaining crews will patrol the Walhalla Plateau, assessing and repairing any damage done as a result of operations, and completing rehabilitation actions.

Many of the temporary road and trail closures that were in effect for the Obi Fire at Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will be lifted at 6:00 PM on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Cape Royal Road from the junction with the Point Imperial Road will reopen all the way to Cape Royal. Additionally, the Cape Final Trail, Cliff Spring Trail, the northern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Point Imperial to Cape Royal Road, and the southern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Cape Royal Road to the old Bright Angel Trail will reopen at the designated time. “We’re happy to have these trails reopened, but we want visitors to be vigilant about fire-weakened or fire-damaged trees when hiking on the reopened trails.” said Obi Fire Incident Commander Paul Lemmon.

Due to continued fire activity and firefighter presence in the nearby Kaibab National Forest, some road and trail closures remain in place. Swamp Ridge Road, the North Bass Trail, the Powell Plateau Trail, Fire Point, Nankoweap Trail, and the Point Imperial Trail will remain closed until further notice. Fire managers are continuously assessing conditions in the area and will work directly with and will immediately advise park managers as conditions change and it becomes safe to reopen roads and trails. Prior to visiting these areas visitors should check-in at the Backcountry Information Center or the North Rim Visitor Center.

Smoke from large scale wildfires across the west may have impacts on the canyon over the coming days. Individuals sensitive to smoke can learn how to help protect their health by visiting the Coconino County Public Health Services District website.

With this being the final press release for the Obi Fire, please visit the Obi Fire Inciweb incident page for periodic updates. You can also call the Grand Canyon National Park fire information line at 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information. For additional information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park, visit the Fire Management, Information and Activity page.