News Release

Incident Objectives Being Met On the Ikes Fire

Closed Roads and Trails, and progress of  the Ikes Fire 08/17/2019

News Release Date: August 17, 2019

Contact: NPS Contact: Brandalyn Vonk, 602-730-6144

Contact: USFS Contact: Jacqueline Banks, 928-635-8314

Contact: Ikes Fire Public Information Office, 928-638-7071

Grand Canyon, AZ- The lightning caused Ikes Fire has burned through approximately 3,500 acres of the pre-determined 7,785 acre planning area. Currently, there are 88 resources assigned to the Ikes Fire. 

One of the main objectives for utilizing the Ikes Fire within the 7,785-acre planning area is for resource benefit. The Type 3 Incident Management Team is using a variety of methods to confine the fire within the predetermined area. These methods include the usage of natural barriers and constructed fireline while tactical firing operations along the perimeter are incorporated to add depth to the line. Once the line is completed, it slows or stops fire as it approaches.

The Ikes Fire has currently spread across 42% of the 7,785-acre planning area. This portion of the pre-determined planning area has had fire move through it with low to moderate fire behavior observed. Fire is a force of nature that has shaped the vegetation and ecosystems of the national parks. The first national parks were created in the late 1800s. At the time, wildfires were suppressed because they were considered a threat to the grand scenery.

Over the years, land managers learned that when all fire is suppressed, fuels build up making larger and damaging fires unavoidable. Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest are working together to safely utilize this lightning caused fire effectively and to promote healthy forest regeneration. 

Yesterday, gusty winds prevented firefighters from carrying out firing operations. Crews patrolled the perimeter on the northeast and eastern portion of the fire while other personnel continued to prep the west side of the Forest Service Road 223. Observed fire behavior was active with backing fire along ridge tops and single tree torching.

The predicted weather for the weekend is warm, very dry conditions with temperatures about 5 degrees above average for mid-August. Expect gusty west to southwest breezes in the afternoon with light drainage winds overnight.

Closures remain in effect for the planning area of the Ikes Fire for Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest. More information on these closures can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6475/.

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/. 
 
For fire information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or
@KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter or call [phone] for recorded fire information.