Prescribed Fires Planned Near Grand Canyon

By Laurel Morales
Published: Monday, June 17, 2019 - 2:29pm
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Laurel Morales/KJZZ
The Grand Canyon.

As several wildfires continue to rage across the state, there are a few that are burning on purpose. Three are planned near the Grand Canyon. Fire managers plan to burn an area as early as Tuesday depending on conditions.

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers plan to burn more than 2,800 acres of pinyon, juniper and ponderosa pine trees east of the south entrance of the park.

Park officials said visitors will likely see smoke from the Long Jim Prescribed Fire during the ignition. Heavy smoke may affect traffic along Highway 64.

Fire managers are working with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to mitigate smoke impacts.

During the fire, park officials will block off a portion of the Arizona Trail and reroute hikers.

North of the Grand Canyon, Kaibab National Forest officials are planning two more prescribed burns.

These fires are intended to reduce the fuel load and prevent future catastrophic blazes. Managers will modify their plans based on wind and fuel moisture.

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