The lightning caused Ikes Fire has burned through approximately 3,500 acres of the pre-determined 7,785 acre planning area. Currently, there are 88 resources assigned to the Ikes Fire. Yesterday, gusty winds prevented firefighters from carrying out firing operations. Crews patrolled the perimeter on the northeast and eastern portion of the fire while other personnel continued to prep the west side of the Forest Service Road 223. Observed fire behavior was active with backing fire along ridge tops and single tree torching. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/incident-objectives-being-met-on-ikes-fire-20190817.htm

Yesterday, the Ikes Fire grew to approximately 4,297 acres and has 87 resources assigned. Despite gusty winds and dry conditions, the fire spread across the planning area with low to moderate fire behavior. The weather will continue to be drier than normal with no chance of precipitation in the forecast. Light winds are expected out of the southwest at 8-10 mph with gusts up to 18 mph. Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other fires in the area, will be visible throughout the surrounding area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-progresses-at-steady-pace-20190818.htm

Yesterday, crews continued to patrol and hold the northern boundary and improve line. Firefighters on the southern boundary lit debris piles constructed in the early phases of line preparation. This tactic deprives the fire of excess fuel as it spreads to the west. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-holding-well-within-perimeter.htm

Yesterday, firefighters moved west along the W4 road and improved the boundary line with hand ignitions. Crews also created debris piles to clean up vegetation along the forest floor and hazard trees. Fire managers completed a reconnaissance flight to assess fire behavior within the interior of the fire perimeter. Fire effects are consistent with land managers’ objectives and are expected to remain as such based on current conditions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-behavior-aligns-with-land-managers-objectives.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the National Park Service’s 103rd birthday by visiting the park for free on Aug. 25, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-invites-the-public-to-celebrate-the-national-park-service-s-103rd-birthday-by-visiting-the-park-for-free-on-aug-25-2019.htm

Yesterday, firefighters did minimal hand ignitions along the National Park Service W4 Road as the fire progressed slowly to the west. Crews did not conduct firing operations along Forest Road 223 as more prep work is needed before putting additional fire on the ground. Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other fires in the area, will be visible throughout the area and may cause smoke impacts. The North Rim Village and businesses at Grand Canyon National Park are OPEN. Temporary trail and road closures for the Ikes Fire Planning Area within Grand Canyon National Park include: Powell Plateau Trail, North Bass Trail, Fire Point, Swamp Point, and the W4 road heading north starting at the intersection of the W4 and W1 roads. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-expands-crews-continue-to-meet-objectives-20190821.htm

Over the past two days, firefighters made progress with firing operations along Forest Road 223. This tactic is conducted to strengthen and improve the northern boundary of the planning area. The North Rim Village and businesses are open. However, road and trail closures remain in effect for the Ikes Fire planning area for Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-holding-after-tested-by-winds-20190823.htm

The Ikes Fire, which has been managed by a Local Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT), transitioned to a local Type 4 Incident Commander effective this morning, Sunday, August 25, 2019. This will be the Final Ikes Fire News Release unless significant fire activity occurs. North Rim Closures: Powell Plateau Trail, The North Bass Trail, Fire Point, Swamp Point, and the W4 road north of the intersection of the W4 and W1 Roads. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-command-transitions-to-type-4-team-closures-remain-20190825.htm

The National Park Foundation, National Park Service, and the Department of Energy partnered with BMW of North America to donate 100 EV charging stations for locations in and near national parks. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/electric-vehicle-charging-stations.htm

The Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan will be added as a free park and ride location for park visitors from Aug. 30 through Sept. 2, 2019, to alleviate some of the holiday traffic. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/overflow-park-and-ride-labor-day.htm

Grand Canyon National Park joins multiple national parks across the country by offering an official park app. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-free-mobile-app.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures on the North and South Rims on Aug. 30, 2019, due to a water pipeline break that occurred on Aug. 29 on a section of the pipeline north of Phantom Ranch, along the North Kaibab trail. Until park staff repairs the break, the park will remain in conservation mode. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-initiates-water-conservation-measures-2019-08-29.htm

Pipe installation of the Grand Canyon North Rim waterline will result in the closure of the Lodge entry road by the Grand Canyon North Rim Visitor Center Sept. 3 to 26, 2019. Expect commercial traffic detours to the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge and decreased parking opportunities. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-north-rim-traffic-detours-08-30-2019.htm

Park staff repaired the damaged pipeline that supplies water to the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park and water services have been restored to facilities. The park has removed water restrictions and has resumed basic water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-normal-water-ops.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is implementing its pilot bison reduction activities on the North Rim this month through live capture and removal of approximately 60-100 animals. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-relocates-bison.htm

Grand Canyon National Park rangers responded to an emergency call of assistance for a 77-year-old man on a river trip Sept. 3, 2019, below Deer Creek Falls on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-colorado-river.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has received confirmation that two bats collected along the Colorado River in the park last month tested positive for rabies. The rabies-positive bats, both Canyon Bats, were deceased at the time of collection and did not come in contact with any visitors or staff. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bats-found-in-grand-canyon-national-park-test-positive-for-rabies-20190912.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Fossil Day and the 26th anniversary of National Public Lands Day entry fee-free on Sept. 28, 2019. National Fossil Day events include a paleontology symposium Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium, featuring four guest speakers https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-national-public-lands-and-fossil-day-at-grand-canyon.htm

Construction to replace two water pumps at the Grand Canyon National Park Indian Garden north pump house is beginning Sept. 23, 2019, and continuing into May 2020. The construction will require visitors to use a marked bypass trail around the construction site along the Bright Angel Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/indian-garden-water-pumps-being-replaced-2019-09-17.htm

National Park Service staff closed the doors on livestock trailers yesterday, securing 31 bison inside to transfer them to the InterTribal Buffalo Council who will take them on the journey to join their new herd with the Quapaw tribe in Oklahoma. The transfer of the bison concluded the Grand Canyon National Park's pilot program for corralling and relocating bison from the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/31-bison-from-the-north-rim-are-relocated-20190919.htm

The 11,000-acre lightning caused wildfire which is located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest became active last week during a wind event that produced wind gusts to 45 mph. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-grows-helicopters-to-assist-2019-09-26.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim will transition to seasonally reduced services beginning at noon on Oct. 16, 2019. Grand Canyon National Park would like to remind the public to plan accordingly if they intend to visit the North Rim after Oct. 15. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/gcnp-n-rim-transitions-to-reduced-services-2019-10-02.htm

The National Park Service approved a plan to protect native fish and other aquatic species in the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/news/10092019.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim on Oct. 10, 2019, due to a loss of water connectivity. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-initiated-at-grand-canyon-2019-10-10.htm

Water connectivity to Grand Canyon's South Rim is restored. The park has removed water restrictions and resumed basic water conservation measures. A valve leak, which prevented water from being pumped between Indian Garden and the South Rim was identified and replaced by park staff. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-np-s-rim-returns-to-normal-water-operations-2019-10-15.htm

Grand Canyon National Park documented the fifth wild hatched California condor chick on Oct. 10, 2019, in the Southwestern wild population, making it an annual record number of chicks, or nestlings, within the region. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/record-number-of-sw-condor-chicks-2019-10-23.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim will begin day use operations on Nov. 1, 2019. Visitors exploring the North Rim after Oct. 31 should plan to be self-sufficient, bringing enough food and water for their stay, as services will not be available. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-n-r-to-begin-seasonal-day-use-operations.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will begin installing five water test wells within the inner canyon at Phantom Ranch next week. The construction will begin Oct. 28 and is expected to conclude on Dec. 5, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-installs-new-test-wells-2019-10-24.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is hosting free Native American heritage and diversity events in early November 2019, as well as offering fee-free entry in honor of Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-native-american-heritage-month-diversity-and-honor-veterans-at-grand-canyon-20191029.htm

Grand Canyon National Park backcountry users can seek out shade and an opportunity to rest from the elements at the new Tipoff Shelter along the South Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-kaibab-trail-shelter-now-available-2019-11-04.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim, including Desert View, from Nov. 11-18, 2019, for scheduled construction at the Indian Garden South pump house. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/scheduled-construction-at-grand-canyon-initiates-water-conservation-measures-20191107.htm

In advance of a winter storm, Grand Canyon National Park will close Desert View Drive, on the South Rim at 7 p.m. (MST), Wed. Nov. 27, 2019. Additionally, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) took precautionary measures by closing state Route (SR) 67, the 43-mile highway, between Jacob Lake and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on Tues. Nov. 26. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-prepares-for-winter-storm-2019-11-26.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposed Telecommunications Plan and Environmental Assessment from Dec. 2, 2019 until midnight on Jan. 6, 2020. If approved, the plan would provide a framework and guidance for the future construction and operation of telecommunications infrastructure. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-requests-public-input-on-a-telecom-plan-and-ea-at-grca-20191202.htm

The fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) has potentially been detected on a fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes) at Grand Canyon National Park. The bat was captured and sampled for the fungus in April 2019 during routine surveillance by park biologists. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bat-fungus-potentially-detected-at-grand-canyon-20191204.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim, including Desert View, from Dec. 9-19, 2019, for scheduled maintenance at the Indian Garden North pump house. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-initiates-water-conservation-measures-for-maintenance-20191206.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park for Martin Edward O'Connor, 58, of La Porte, Texas, last seen on Dec. 22, 2019, at Yavapai Lodge on the South Rim of Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-initiated-at-grand-canyon-2019-12-30.htm

National Park Service rangers located Martin Edward O'Connor and evacuated him from the inner canyon via helicopter at approximately 10 a.m. today in Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-man-from-texas-found-alive-at-grca-2020-01-02.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country in celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with free entrance to the park. Entrance fees will be waived for all visitors arriving to Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-mlk-day-at-grand-canyon-fee-free.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's permit office is temporarily extending the permit processing time periods effective Feb. 14, 2020 until this summer. This change will impact commercial use authorizations (CUA) and special use permit (SUP) applications submitted after Feb. 14. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-permit-processing-updates.htm

The National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. The permits are for specific launch dates within calendar year 2021. A total of 462 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips. Applications will be accepted online through noon MST on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2021-river-lottery-01-31-2020.htm

Shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center and the neighboring town of Tusayan, will resume on March 1, 2020. Buses will run daily at 20-minute intervals between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-tusayan-shuttle-begins-march-1-2020.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce that the 2020 Edwin C. Bearss History Fellowship has been awarded to Jeremy Childs, a member of Grand Canyon National Park's Division of Interpretation and Resource Education, at Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-bearss-fellowship-award-recipient-announced.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim and inner canyon from March 7-22, 2020. A leak was detected along the transcanyon pipeline near Phanton Ranch, and park staff are working to repair the break. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-03-17-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-np-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities. 03/19/2020 https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-np-transitions-to-limited-services-03-19-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote public safety. As of, March 24, 2020, Grand Canyon river rafting trips including administrative, research, private and commercial trips, are suspended until May 21, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-modify-river-ops-for-health-guidance-03-20-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park, in response to guidance from Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-modify-additional-opps-to-implem-loc-health-guid-03-26-2020.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) received a letter today from the Health and Human Services Director and Chief Health Officer for Coconino County recommending the full closure of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-closed-04-01-2020.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today the appointment of Edward Keable as the superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park. Keable, a 34-year veteran of federal service, will begin his new role within the next 60 days. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/grand-canyon-superintendent-ed-keable.htm

US Park Rangers of Grand Canyon National Park seek tips from the public to aid a vehicle burglary investigation. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/grca-rfi-04132020.htm