Storms helping Mt. Emma Fire, long-term plan in place

The Mt. Emma Fire has grown to 4,201 acres in size, and is burning in the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument on the Arizona Strip, Arizona | Photo courtesy BLM Arizona Strip, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Interagency firefighting efforts continue on the 4,201-acre Mt. Emma Fire. The lightning-caused fire is located 75 miles southeast of St. George and is burning within Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument’s Mount Logan Wilderness and Grand Canyon National Park.

The Mt. Emma fire continues to benefit from moisture and increased humidity provided by recent storm activity. This has moderated fire activity, and less smoke is visible as a result.

Smoke continues to be visible on the northeastern side of the fire, remaining active on the interior, and has not contributed to any significant fire growth or movement.

After performing a complexity analysis of the current situation, it has been determined the management of the fire will transition downward to a Type 4 organization comprised of local area resources.

Fire managers have developed a long-term plan for the fire area, which will allow them to strategically respond to changing conditions and an increase in fire activity.

Fire managers will continue to monitor the progression of the fire and the weather, adjusting their tactics and resources as needed in accordance with the long-term plan while also ensuring firefighter and public safety.

With the ongoing fire activities, there is still a significant amount of traffic in the area of the fire; therefore, fire managers request the public’s help in ensuring safety on backcountry roadways in the vicinity of the fire.

There are no road or trail closures anticipated at this time. Smoke may be visible from St. George and Kanab, as well as Fredonia and the North and South Rims in Arizona.

Fire History

The fire began June 24 at 4:40 p.m. on the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument and burned into Grand Canyon National Park June 25.

The fire is burning in open ponderosa pine, pinyon and juniper.

The Mt. Emma fire has burned in and out of the footprint of the 1,286 acre Emma Fire in 1999, and is located northwest of the 2005 Tuweep Fire, which burned 1,866 acres.

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