North Rim

Yesterday crews neared completion of suppression repair.  Another lightning ignition was discovered outside the Mangum Fire containment lines. The fire was cooled off by helicopter bucket drops, and lined by firefighters on the ground. Today firefighters will be patrolling the Mangum Fire perimeter, looking for “sleeper” fires started by Friday’s lightning storms.  Crews will also be removing hazard trees, and taking a second look at suppression damages, to ensure no needed repairs have been missed.  Warm and dry conditions are forecasted again today.

Yesterday crews continued with suppression repair, and constructed fire line around pockets of smoking fuel adjacent to Highway 89A.   During the afternoon a very small lightning ignition was discovered outside the Mangum Fire containment lines.  Firefighters quickly extinguished this fire.  Today firefighters will be patrolling the fire perimeter, looking for new fires started by yesterday afternoon’s lightning storms.  Crews will continue suppression repair, grading and repairing damaged roads, filling and re-contouring hand lines and chipping woody debris.

Yesterday crews continued with suppression repair, while monitoring areas where fuel is still burning. Fire crews will continue suppression repair today, grading and repairing damaged roads, filling and re-contouring hand lines and dozer lines, chipping woody debris, and felling and removing standing dead trees that pose a risk to public and firefighter safety.  Fire activity is expected to be minimal, but there is an increased potential for widely scattered thunder storms, and a 40% chance of wetting rain this afternoon.

Effective 6:00 this morning, the Gila/Las Cruces Incident Management Team assumed command of the Mangum Fire. Although strong, gusty winds continued yesterday, containment lines held and there was no growth in acreage on the fire.  Predominantly westerly winds are expected to moderate over the next few days, providing an opportunity for fire crews to focus on suppression repair today.  Repair of dozer lines and containment lines, and felling hazard trees will occupy crews not engaged in suppression.  Isolated areas of active fire remain around the fire.  

Yesterday the northeast corner of the fire remained active, with crews continuing to flank the fire with line construction and direct attack where possible. A smoke column developed over the NE section during late afternoon as interior fuels were consumed.  On other sections of the fire crews extinguished hot spots, conducted suppression repair, and improved fire lines. Power was restored to Grand Canyon National Park by late afternoon. Efforts continued to mitigate hazardous trees along highway 89A as the Team tentatively hopes to reopen Highways 89A and 67 for public travel by Sunday.

Sunday westerly winds aligned with east draining canyons to push the fire off the rocky slopes towards the House Rock Valley. By afternoon, a large smoke column developed over the NE portion of the fire. Fire managers responded with air tankers and helicopters dropping retardant and water to aid crews poised to intercept new eastward fire movement.

The other portions of the fire perimeter remained active but within containment lines. Fire fighters continued to improve, patrol, and monitor the rest of the fire perimeter with great success.

Saturday’s weather continued with warm temperatures, light winds, low humidity, and active fire behavior. Interior pockets of unburned fuel remain inside the perimeter and were observed creating afternoon smoke columns. The containment percentage changed by the end of the day indicative of firefighter’s progress.

On Friday, favorable weather conditions aided firefighters in securing preliminary lines around critical areas of the fire. Firefighters focused their efforts on the southern, western and eastern edges of the fire. Crews work towards containment through successful firing and burnout operations and additional line construction.  

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park has temporarily closed the North Rim until further notice due to the Mangum Fire near the park. The Mangum Fire is located on the Kaibab National Forest and is not within Grand Canyon National Park at this time. 

On June 12th, 2020 at 4:40 p.m., evacuations in the Jacob Lake area began due to the Mangum Fire burning on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office along with U.S. Forest Service personnel began evacuations of the Jacob Lake area, to include the Jacob Lake Inn and Campgrounds to the north and south of the Inn at the Junction of Hwy 89a and Hwy 67, after Forest Service officials deemed the Mangum Fire had reached a point where it became a threat to residents and visitor safety.