Fire officials told community members in northern Arizona on Wednesday that intensely dry conditions and strong winds are making the Dragon Bravo Fire on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim hard to manage.
The fire has burned an area nearly the size of Tucson at more than 200 square miles. Officials compared the dryness of trees in the fire’s path to that of the two-by-fours you buy at Home Depot. And they warned that high level particle smoke is putting residents at risk. Then there’s the lack of water.
John Truett is the fire’s incident commander.
"Right now we have almost 50 water tenders, you know the big water trucks, trying to shuttle water to keep up with the demand," he said.
Truett said a pipeline from the Roaring Springs Pumphouse was damaged by the fire so water is being trucked in.
"Now we’re going up to Lees Ferry, all the way up to Fredonia to bring water up," he said.
Local springs, as well, aren't recharging fast enough to help.
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Arizona Public Service announced it may shut power off in certain areas due to rapidly changing weather, dry terrain and extreme winds that elevate the risk. -
A record-hot winter with little rainfall set Arizona up for a potentially hazardous wildfire season. APS is urging customers, especially those in rural areas, to be prepared. -
The U.S Department of the Interior says fire danger in Arizona is above average due to warm and dry conditions. The elevated fire danger goes through June. -
The move is part of a "sweeping restructuring," which the agency said is intended to move leaders closer to the land they oversee. The plan has been met with concern. -
The Grand Canyon National Park is opening its North Rim to visitors starting May 15. But there will be restrictions.
