Firefighters Continue to Make Progress Battling X
Incident: X Fire Wildland Fire
Released: 4/30/2008
For Immediate Release
April 30, 2008, 12 p.m.
Contacts:
Kaibab National Forest Fire Info Center, 928-635-8314, 928-635-8282
Grand Canyon National Park Incident Information (recorded information), 928-638-7688
Grand Canyon National Park Incident Information Center, 928-638-7922
Note: Additional information is available online at www.inciweb.org.
Firefighters Continue To Make Progress Battling X Fire
Fire Name: X Fire
Location: About 3 miles southeast of the Tusayan community on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. The fire is located on the east side of state Highway 64 between Ten-X Campground and the southern boundary of Grand Canyon National Park. The fire is still more than a mile south of the Grand Canyon National Park boundary and about two miles south of East Rim Drive.
Cause: Human-caused. Any inquiries regarding possible charges filed in this case should go through the U.S. Attorney's Office, Sandy Raynor, 602-514-7625.
Fuels: Ponderosa pine forest, grass, sage
Size: 2,000 acres
Percent Contained: 0 % (This will likely increase today.)
Resources Committed: 10 engines, 3 dozers, 5 Hotshot crews, two airtankers, the Tusayan Fire Department, and many individual firefighting personnel. Local fire managers have cancelled their order for a Type 2 Incident Management Team due to substantial progress in the firefighting effort. Total personnel = 140
Closures: There are no closures at Grand Canyon National Park. 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. Forest roads 302, 688 and 303 are also temporarily closed.
Summary: Due to lighter winds and higher relative humidity levels overnight, fire managers said they made progress battling the X Fire. The X Fire, which was called in at 12:39 p.m. yesterday by Red Butte Lookout, is gradually moving northeast but has not reached the boundary of 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. The X Fire was driven by very strong winds yesterday. Fire behavior included spotting, torching and running. High winds and dry conditions are continuing today. No structures have been lost.
