Firefighters Make Progress Battling X Fire
Incident: X Fire Wildland Fire
Released: 4/30/2008
The X Fire, which was called in at 12:39 p.m. yesterday by Red Butte Lookout, is gradually moving north but has not reached the boundary of Grand Canyon National Park. There are no closures at Grand Canyon National Park. The fire is not immediately threatening the community of Tusayan, visitor facilities at Grand Canyon National Park, state Highway 64, or any structures.
Containment of the X Fire is still officially zero percent. However, that percentage may increase as firefighters are able to view the fire in daylight. Fire managers also said they are optimistic that firefighters will be able to hold the containment lines built overnight.
Ten-X Campground, which was scheduled to open to the public tomorrow, will remain closed indefinitely due to fire activity. The campground has not been impacted by fire. However, the area will remain closed until fire activity decreases.
The Arizona Trail from Tusayan to Grandview is closed until further notice. Fire managers ask forest visitors to avoid the fire area including forest roads 302 and 688 due to firefighting traffic and fire activity.
Resources assigned to the X Fire, which is burning in ponderosa pine, include seven engines, three dozers, four airtankers, four Hotshot crews, the Tusayan Fire Department, and several miscellaneous firefighting personnel. Additional firefighting resources including a Type 2 helicopter and a Type 2 Incident Management Team (IC - Reinarz) have been ordered.
The X Fire has been driven by very strong winds. High winds and dry conditions are expected again today. Fire behavior has included spotting, torching and running.
No structures have been lost.
The X Fire is believed to be human-caused. A fire investigator is on-scene in order to determine the specific cause.
For more information, please contact Jackie Denk at (928) 635-8314. For recorded information related to Grand Canyon National Park conditions, please call (928) 638-7688. To reach a Grand Canyon National Park information technician, please call (928) 638-7922.
