Pile Burning to Begin at South Rim of Grand Canyon

Date: October 31, 2013
Contact: Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, 928-638-7958
Contact: Daniel Pearson, 928-638-7934

Grand Canyon , AZ – The National Park Service will begin burning piles of woody debris over the next few weeks on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park depending on weather conditions.

The piles, which are located in the South Rim developed area, consist of tree branches, twigs, and needles removed during several hazardous fuels reduction projects last year, intended to create defensible space in the wildland urban interface.

Fire managers will take advantage of moisture to minimize the chance of fire spread and potential spotting from the piles. The piles will be ignited by firefighters and monitored until the piles are completely out.

Park visitors may see open flames and/or smell smoke in the vicinity of the piles located south of Mather Campground along Market Plaza Road, Supai Camp, and along Rowe Well Road. Signs will be posted advising visitors and motorists of possible smoke along impacted travel corridors. Coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is underway.

For more information on this debris burning project, please contact South District Fire Management Officer Dan Pearson at 928-638-7934. For more about Grand Canyon National Park's fire management program, please visit the park's website at https://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.

-NPS-