- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park's North Rim reopens after fire closure.
- The Dragon Bravo Fire has quadrupled over the past week by the Grand Canyon's North Rim.
- Dinosaur National Monument is enforcing more fire restrictions as drought continues to impact Western parks.
SALT LAKE CITY — A national park in southwest Colorado partially reopened Wednesday for the first time since a fire broke out earlier this month, while a fire at Grand Canyon National Park prompted more closures outside of the park.
The North Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is now open, including its access trails, overlooks and 13-site campground, park officials said. The South Rim of Black Canyon, as well as East Portal Road, remains closed because of the South Rim Fire.
All parts of the park had been closed since the lightning-caused fire began on July 10. It has now burned over 4,200 acres and remains just 52% contained, but fire officials told KMGH-TV in Denver that they don't believe the fire will grow much more because of the park's landscape. Park officials told the outlet that the South Rim will reopen incrementally.
The national park drew in 335,862 visitors last year.
Parts of House Rock Valley closed
Meanwhile, fires continue to create havoc within other national parks in the West — and other public lands near them.
The southern end of House Rock Valley closed Tuesday to allow space for crews battling the Dragon Bravo Fire, Bureau of Land Management officials announced. The closure, which also includes other public land in the area, doesn't include Utah's section of House Rock Valley Road.
It will remain in place until further notice.
The fire began within the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on July 4. It has now burned 94,228 acres, quadrupling in size over the past week as northern Arizona battles the same hot, dry and windy conditions that also helped the Monroe Canyon Fire in Utah grow substantially. Nearly 1,000 personnel are assigned to battle the Arizona fire, which remained just 4% contained as of Wednesday.
Dozens of structures have already been destroyed because of the fire, including the beloved Grand Canyon Lodge. It has also produced heavy smoke that has created air quality and visibility challenges in southeast Utah, including Lake Powell.
Dinosaur National Monument fire restrictions
Other Western parks within the National Park Service system are planning ahead, as drought conditions worsen throughout the region. Stage 2 fire restrictions will be implemented at Dinosaur National Monument, located between Utah and Colorado, beginning on Friday, park officials said.
The order bans building or using any open fire or campfire within the monument, including charcoal grills or any fire in a fire pan. Pressurized gas and liquid fuel stoves are still permitted. Smoking is only permitted within enclosed vehicles.
"The extremely dry conditions along with large amounts of flammable vegetation have created a high fire danger situation," park officials said in a statement on Wednesday.
