Grand Canyon's Northern Rim to partially reopen Wednesday

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(The Center Square) - Grand Canyon’s Northern Rim will be partially reopening to the public starting Wednesday, the National Park Service announced.

This summer, the Dragon Bravo Fire started after lightning struck the rim. The fire ultimately became one of the largest in Arizona history, burning an estimated 145,504 acres.

The blaze, which began July 4, is now 100% contained, the federal government said. A total of 276 personnel members helped contain this fire, according to a U.S. government website. 

Northern Rim areas that will be reopening are the Cape Royal Road, Fire Point and Swamp Ridge. NPS stated these areas will be open daily, but overnight stays are not permitted on the Northern Rim, except at Swamp Point and Fire Point.

Areas at the Northern Rim will be accessible until Nov. 30 or when the first snowstorm hits the region. 

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keabl said reopening parts of the Northern Rim lets visitors “once again experience some of the park’s most scenic areas while we continue to assess post-fire impacts and begin recovery efforts.”

“This is the first of several phased reopenings planned for the North Rim, and we appreciate the public’s patience as we work diligently to restore access,” Keable said.

NPS said the areas that are remaining closed will remain so for the foreseeable future due to safety concerns and ongoing recovery efforts from the Dragon Bravo Fire.

The North Kaibab Trail, a hiking trail on the Northern Rim, will remain closed due to damage to the trail, the NPS stated.

Travelers to the newly reopened areas are advised to exercise caution due to hazards remaining, such as dead standing trees, the NPS noted.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, reacted to news of the Northern Rim partially reopening, stating “Families and visitors can once again enjoy some of the most scenic parts of the Grand Canyon.”

Kelly added these visitors also mean more customers for “small businesses and workers who depend on tourism to make a living.”

Earlier this month, Kelly sent a letter to the Trump administration requesting additional resources so that the park could reopen. 

“This is an important step forward after such a devastating tragedy, and I’ll keep working to make sure access is fully restored and these communities have the support they need to recover,” the senator stated.