Three Lakes Fire Burning Near Road To Grand Canyon North Rim

The Three Lakes Fire burning near Jacob Lake has grown to over 5,000 acres. The lightning caused wildfire was listed at 5,146 acres today by the Kaibab National Forest Public Affairs office. Three Lakes Fire was first reported on June 16.

The fire is located roughly six miles south of the Jacob Lake Village, and is burning in an area between Forest Road 217 and Arizona State Route 67, the road to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Burnout operations along SR-67 have been completed. With Red Flag Warnings in effect today and tomorrow, crews will be holding and improving established fire lines. Some smoke impacts to the highway are possible. Motorists are advised to drive with caution. The Forest is working with the Arizona Department of Transportation to use a pilot car if necessary.

The Three Lakes Fire is currently burning at a low-to-moderate rate of spread within the 2006 Warm Fire scar and within the planned Sink Hole and Jackson prescribed burn units within the five year plan and adjacent to the Three Lakes prescribed burn unit planned for this year, an area which has already received preparation for fire containment.

120 personnel are engaged in operations related to control of the Three Lakes Fire. The fire is being fueled by Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, Aspen along with grasses in the area. One concern in conjunction with the Red Flag warning is the possibility of high winds. Overall, the Three Lakes Fire is expected to grow in size given the longer-term weather forecast, available fuels, and terrain.

Because this fire is burning in a prescribed burn unit, no timeline has been given in regards to containment. Fire managers will manage the Three Lakes Fire within a pre-determined perimeter as long as conditions allow crews to safely do so.

At the same time, on the south side of the Grand Canyon, the Ridge Fire has grown to 4,291 acres, and the Hull Fire is listed at 1,491 acres. Both these fires were also lightning caused. All three fires are fulfilling the role in the ecosystem of burning naturally to reduce fuel loads and promote healthy landscapes.