Forest Service lifting closures in area of Grand Canyon wildfires
Aug 22, 2018, 3:14 PM
(U.S. Fire Service Photo)
(U.S. Fire Service Photo)
PHOENIX — All closures that had been in place because of two wildfires north of the Grand Canyon will be lifted Thursday, the U.S. Forest Service announced.
Monsoon activity in recent days has reduced the threats posed by the Cat and Stina fires in Kaibab National Forest, according to a news release issued Wednesday.
The closures were scheduled to end at 8 a.m.
The Stina Fire started July 26, and the Cat Fire was first reported Aug. 6. Both were caused by lightning, and they consumed more than 6,000 acres combined.
On Saturday, the closures issued because of another North Rim blaze, the Obi Fire, were lifted.
The Forest Service warned that some dangers can loom in areas recently burned by wildfires, including:
- Flash flooding that could wash out roads and cause debris to flow.
- Burned trees that could fall or drop large limbs.
- Erosion that could cause dangerous driving conditions.
- Potential for rolling debris such as logs, rocks and boulders.
- Stump holes that could result in injury if stepped in.
Officials thanked several area businesses for supplying food and other services to personnel fighting the fires.
“You came through when we needed you most,” Cat Fire Incident Commander RobRoy Williams said in a release. “Thank you for your unwavering support these past two weeks.”
