Attached is today’s update of the Ikes Fire.
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Andrew Hostad
Public Affairs Specialist - Detailed
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Forest Service
Kaibab National Forest, North Kaibab Ranger District
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p: 928-643-8110
c: 218-341-4537
f: 928-643-8105
andrew.hostad@xxxxxxxx
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430 S. Main Street - PO Box 248
Fredonia, AZ 86022
www.fs.fed.us
  
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Caring for the land and serving people
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National Park Service
Grand Canyon National Park
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U.S. Forest Service
Kaibab National Forest
www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
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For Immediate Release: August 23, 2019
NPS Contact: Brandalyn Vonk, 602-730-6144
USFS Contact: Jacqueline Banks, 928-635-8314
Ikes Fire Public Information Office: 928-638-7071
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Ikes Fire Holding After Tested By Winds
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Grand Canyon, AZ - Over the
past two days, firefighters made progress with firing operations along Forest Road 223. This tactic is conducted to strengthen and improve the northern boundary of the planning area. Crews continue to move along the southern boundary, using hand ignitions
to create a buffer as the main fire advances to the west. Yesterday the fire was tested by gusty, erratic winds but continued to spread as expected at a low to moderate rate.
Over the next few days, the Ikes Fire will begin to right-size resources. Crews will be released from the fire as objectives are met and made available to assist with other wildfires in the country. Remaining resources
will patrol and hold the fire perimeter to ensure the fire remains within the planning area. The fire has spread across approximately 5,932 acres within the 7,785-acre planning area, and has 61 resources assigned.
One objective of the Incident Management Team is to allow fire to move through the 7,785-acre planning area for resource benefit. Naturally-ignited wildland fires play an important role in fire-adapted ecosystems
by reducing dead wood accumulations to ash and releasing nutrients that stimulate new plant growth, and helping to regulate insect and disease levels. These fires also create a mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation, which increases habitat diversity and
breaks up continuous fuels on the forest floor (branches, fallen trees, etc.) which can help limit or slow the intensity and spread of large wildfires in the future. The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.
Predicted forecast for Friday and Saturday is generally dry with slightly cooler temperatures and breezy conditions. Temperatures will begin to warm back up as we move into next week. There is no rain predicted
in the near future.
Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other fires in the area, will be visible throughout the area and may cause smoke impacts. Visitors traveling to the area should be aware of possible smoke along State Highway
67. Visitors are asked to drive carefully and turn headlights on for safety. It is recommended that anyone with sensitivity to smoke limit their time outdoors when smoke is present. For local air quality and related information, please visit the following
websites: www.airnow.gov or
the Smoke
Management Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
The North Rim Village and businesses are open. However, road and trail closures are in effect for the Ikes Fire planning area for Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest. The following roads and
trails are closed on the North Rim:
-Powell Plateau Trail, The North Bass Trail, Fire Point, Swamp Point, and the W4 road north of the intersection of the W4 and W1 Roads.
For fire information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit
www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or
@KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter or call (928) 635-8311 for recorded fire information.
-NPS-
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 The
year, Grand Canyon National Park celebrates 100 years since its designation as a national park. To prepare for the next century of stewardship, we hope to inspire future generations to experience, connect with, and protect Grand Canyon's unique resources.
Join the celebration at go.nps.gov/grandcanyoncentennial or on social media with #GrandCanyon100.
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