Ruby Fire Continues to Grow Toward Game Reserve Fire
Incident: Ruby Fire Prescribed Fire
Released: 6/11/2009
WILLIAMS, Ariz. - The Ruby Fire continues to grow slowly under cool and cloudy conditions. The Ruby Fire (1,710 acres) is six miles southeast of Tusayan, Ariz. and 1 1/2 miles southwest of the Game Reserve Fire (280 acres) in Grand Canyon National Park. A small portion of the Game Reserve Fire has crossed the park boundary onto the Kaibab National Forest.
The Ruby Fire and Game Reserve Fire continue to move across the landscape toward each other. Given the anticipated progression, plans are underway to manage the two fires under one organization. US Forest Service and NPS officials agree that managing both fires as one incident is a valuable opportunity to work together across jurisdictional boundaries, combine resources and properly manage fire across the landscape.
The Ruby Fire continues to spread primarily north and west, meeting both protection and resource objectives. In order to accomplish these objectives, personnel are taking actions to prevent aggressive fire spread toward Grand Canyon National Park and near historical sites. They are also looking for opportunities to move fire across the landscape when conditions are appropriate to reduce hazardous fuel buildup, enhance wildlife habitat and improve forest health.
The Ruby Fire is about one mile south of the Arizona Trail, a popular hiking, biking and horseback riding trail. To provide for public safety, fire managers have closed a 4-mile segment of the trail from Watson tank to Grandview trailhead until further notice. Signs are posted to alert trail users to a detour on Forest Roads 303 and 302 away from fire activity.
Smoke may be visible along State Highway 64 and in some areas of Grand Canyon National Park. There is some morning haze in the eastern part of Grand Canyon. There are no air quality impacts to Tusayan. Managers work closely with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to monitor smoke production.
The forecast calls for cool temperatures and cloud cover to persist through the week There is a chance of isolated rain showers. These conditions will keep fire spread to a minimum.
Visitors should use caution while traveling on forest roads in the fire vicinity. For additional information, please contact Punky Moore, Fire Information Officer, 928-635-5653.
