Kaibab Forest Reopens 77,000 Acres After Wildfire Closures

Reopening of Kaibab National Forest Areas Following Recent Fires

Recent developments have brought relief to visitors of the Kaibab National Forest as officials have reopened a substantial section of the forest, covering 77,000 acres, which had been previously closed due to the White Sage and Dragon Bravo fires. This reopening marks a significant step toward normalcy in the area north of the Grand Canyon.

Effective from noon on Thursday, U.S. Forest Service territories located west of State Route 67 and south of Highway 89A are now accessible to the public, with certain areas remaining restricted. This decision comes in light of reduced fire activity and diminished firefighter presence, allowing popular sites such as the Kaibab Lodge and the North Rim Country Store to welcome visitors once more.

Additionally, Big Springs Cabin is now open for reservations, and parts of the Rainbow Rim Trail, specifically from Timp Point northward, can be explored. The Jacob Lake area, including its developed amenities like Jacob Lake Inn, Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center, campgrounds, and picnic areas, is also available for public use.

However, caution remains paramount as certain areas continue to be closed. These include the southwestern part of the Dragon Bravo Fire’s burn zone near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, along with lands adjacent to the Kaibab Lodge and the North Rim Country Store, the Demotte Campground, and around Mile and a Half Lake.

Forest Service lands situated east of S.R. 67 and south of forest roads 205, 224, and 284 still remain inaccessible. The closure due to the White Sage Fire remains effective, particularly in regions severely affected by the blaze, such as roads 279A, 636, 247, 248, 248A, 249, 249B, and 9027.

Fire authorities emphasize the persistent risk posed by dead standing trees and potential flooding, urging visitors to exercise caution. A stage 2 fire ban is still enforced across the forest.

Efforts to mitigate fire hazards continue, with crews actively removing about 15 truckloads of dead trees daily from the Dragon Bravo Fire area. Additionally, fire suppression teams are engaged in mopping up and patrolling the northern and southern peripheries of the burn zone.

While the perimeter of the fire has remained stable for several days, forecasts anticipated possible rain from Tropical Storm Juliette on Thursday, potentially aiding in fire containment efforts. The Dragon Bravo Fire, which has affected over 145,000 acres, stands at 64% containment.

Burned area emergency response teams are currently evaluating the impacts the fires have had on the environment, working to address any emergent issues.