Galahad Fire to be Managed for Multiple Objectives on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have decided to manage the Galahad Fire for multiple objectives.

The lightning-caused Galahad Fire was discovered in Grand Canyon National Park on Friday, May 23, 2014 and is approximately 223 acres in size. Current fire behavior is moderate with isolated and group torching in Ponderosa Pine. The fire is located approximately 1 mile south west of the historic Kanabownits Cabin on the Walla Valley Peninsula.

The Galahad Fire is being managed for both resource and protection objectives. Resource objectives for the fire include returning fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem in order to maintain forest health. Protection objectives for the fire include protection of sensitive cultural resources and wildlife habitat.

Current resources assigned to the fire are the Saguaro Wildland Fire Module and North Rim Engine Crew. Resources being ordered include an additional Wildland Fire Module, one Type 1 hand crew, four additional engines and miscellaneous overhead.

There are no closures in effect at this time; however, smoke impacts may be possible.

Smoke from this fire is currently visible in Fredonia, AZ and the South Rim. Coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is ongoing.

You can follow the progress of this fire as well as view maps and pictures on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov. For additional fire information, please call 928-638-7819 (recorded message) or Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, Acting Public Affairs Officer, at 928-638-7958 or follow @GrandCanyonNPS on Twitter. For more on Grand Canyon’s fire management program, please visit the park’s web site at http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.