Ten-x Campground and Arizona Trail Reopen on Tusay
Incident: X Fire Wildland Fire
Released: 5/5/2008
Ten-X Campground and the Arizona Trail on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest have reopened following the full containment of the X Fire over the weekend.
The campground and segment of trail were closed last Tuesday due to the rapid growth of the X Fire, which burned 2,048 acres. Ten-X Campground is located about two miles south of Tusayan and offers 70 campsites, which are available on a first-come, first-served. For more information on the campground or the Arizona Trail, please contact the Tusayan Ranger District at (928) 638-2443.
While the X Fire is fully contained, firefighters continue to monitor the area and extinguish any remaining hot spots. Tusayan residents and visitors may continue to see smoke from the fire's interior for several days.
Federal charges have been filed against three campers from Texas for allegedly leaving their campfire unattended therefore causing the X Fire. According to the criminal complaint, the three campers left their campsite in the afternoon of April 29 at which time their unextinguished campfire, fanned by high winds, emitted hot embers outside of the campfire ring onto the adjacent forest floor near Forest Road 688.
Visitors to the forest are reminded that regardless of the time of year or fire danger level, it is critical to always properly extinguish campfires and never leave them unattended. Also, campers should:
·· Use existing campfire rings.
·· Have a shovel and sufficient water on hand.
·· Avoid making campfires during the windy part of the day.
·· Keep campfires small.
·· To make sure the fire is out, drown it with water and stir it with dirt. Ensure all burned materials are extinguished. Feel the fire to ensure it is cold.
For more information, please contact Jackie Denk at (928) 635-8314.
