Grand Canyon, AZ – – The fire area received minimal rain overnight and increased humidity and cloud cover moderated fire activity yesterday; however, already challenged by the remote, rough, and rugged terrain, the threat of lightning accompanied by strong erratic winds and the uncertainty of rain are watch-out conditions firefighters are taking additional caution with today. Firefighters expect to see short fire runs in the grass and single tree torching on the southern edge of the fire today. This is normal behavior given the hot, dry, and windy conditions that have allowed the fire to grow the past week. On the southern flank of the fire, fire fighters are strengthening containment features such as two-track roads, trails, and rock outcroppings which can reduce fire intensity allowing firefighters to work more directly adjacent to the fire to suppress or allow the fire to burn itself out when it runs out of grass to burn.

The northern edges of the fire have not burned beyond the canyon edge and are being monitored by aircraft. Smoke and haze from the Thumb Fire is visible from Supai and both the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park, which visitors may see. Individuals sensitive to smoke can learn how to help protect their health by visiting the Coconino County Public Health and Human Services website: https://www.coconino.az.gov/221/Health The Havasupai reservation is under an emergency closure due to the COVID-19 virus.

Public entry into the reservation is prohibited and will be strictly enforced by the Havasupai Tribe. There are no closures within Grand Canyon National Park related to the Thumb Fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area