Grand Canyon National Park

The Halfway Fire which was ignited by a lightning strike on the Tusayan Ranger District over the weekend grew to 97 acres on Monday, however a combination of initial attack resources including aircraft, hand crews, engines and a dozer working steadily throughout the day and were able to stop forward progress of the fire by early that evening.

Fire crews from the Kaibab National Forest, Tusayan Fire Department, and Grand Canyon National Park responded to a wildfire Monday morning about 3 miles southeast of the town of Tusayan. The 50 acre lightning caused "Halfway Fire" was discovered by local aircraft and most likely started the day before from a passing thunderstorm.

Multiple resources have been working on the fire Monday including a helicopter, a dozer, 3 engines and miscellaneous overhead. Additional resources have been ordered to assist from neighboring forests and are expected to arrive later today.

The entire Thumb Fire area received rain for much of the day yesterday and more rain is predicted for today. Firefighters departed the fire area yesterday afternoon after confirming the burn area was receiving rain. The fire’s containment is currently at eighty-eight percent and is anticipated to increase over the weekend. The Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team is assisting with the demobilization of resources and working to transfer management back to the local agencies.

The eastern and western flanks of the Thumb Fire have not burned beyond the canyon edges. Firefighters have confirmed that there is no heat present in those areas, contributing to the overall containment of the fire. They will continue to monitor the most northern tip of the fire by aircraft. The southern flank of the fire remains moderately active with scattered pockets of heat. The moderated fire activity has allowed firefighters to work adjacent to the fire removing vegetation and strengthening containment features such as two-track roads, trails, and rock outcroppings.

The fire area received minimal rain overnight and increased humidity and cloud cover moderated fire activity yesterday; however, already challenged by the remote, rough, and rugged terrain, the threat of lightning accompanied by strong erratic winds and the uncertainty of rain are watch-out conditions firefighters are taking additional caution with today.

The Thumb Fire is approximately 6,200 acres. Growth yesterday was primarily in the southern portion of the fire perimeter. Fire behavior was active with single tree torching and surface fire of three to four foot flames where the fire was consuming grass.
 
Located on the northwestern edge of the Great Thumb Mesa, the Thumb Fire started on July 16th. Fire managers plan to continue the strategy of suppressing the lightning caused while providing for point protection of identified sensitive natural and cultural resources. 
 

The Thumb Fire, which started on July 16th, is approximately 3,800 acres. Growth was primarily in the southern and eastern portion of the fire perimeter. Fire behavior was moderate with increased activity in isolated pockets of fuels.

Recent monsoon activity in the region resulted in two new lightning ignited fires. Fire crews are actively working to suppress and monitor the two fires. 

The Thumb Fire was detected on Thursday, July 16th, 2020 and is located along the western rim of the Great Thumb Mesa. Grand Canyon National Park is providing interagency support to the Truxton Canon Agency and Havasupai Tribe. Approximately 285 acres in size, current fire behavior is creeping and smoldering within pinon-juniper forest. Fire managers plan to monitor the Thumb Fire.

At 7:00 A.M. tomorrow the Gila/Las Cruces Incident Management Team will transfer command of the
Mangum Fire to the North Kaibab Ranger District.

Yesterday crews substantially completed suppression repair and began back hauling supplies. Today most heavy equipment and engines will be released, and the number of firefighters will be greatly reduced. Warm and dry conditions will continue. Fire activity is expected to be minimal. Firefighters will patrol the fire perimeter to mitigate any threats to containment lines