WILLIAMS, Arizona — The fires being managed for resource benefit on the Kaibab National Forest and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona are growing slowly but steadily as weather conditions vary on a daily basis.

On Thursday, the fires received varying amounts of precipitation, from a heavy downpour on the Sitgreaves Complex to more light and scattered rainfall on the fires further north.

“These kinds of conditions lead to a mixed severity fire, which results in a wide range of effects to forest vegetation,” said Ed Hiatt, fire management officer for the North Zone of Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park. “Some days, the fires will grow quickly, and other days they will sit in place, depending on the weather conditions. This will create a nice mosaic in the forest of vegetation burned at varying levels of severity.”

Williams Ranger District: The Sitgreaves Complex, located about five miles northwest of Parks, received significant rainfall on Thursday and grew very little. It is 4,150 acres in size and is not expected to be very active for the next several days until drier conditions return. Smoke, while light, will continue to be visible, especially in the afternoon hours when temperatures are higher. Sitgreaves Complex information is available on Facebook.

Tusayan Ranger District: The McRae Complex southeast of Tusayan received scattered showers late Thursday, but both fires grew prior to the storms. The McRae Fire grew by 311 acres bringing the total acres treated to 4,211. The Hammer Fire grew by 38 acres, making its total size 62 acres. The thunderstorms that passed through the area produced a change in wind direction, which pushed smoke into Tusayan and Grand Canyon Village for a few hours. Minimizing smoke impacts will continue to be a priority for fire managers of the McRae Complex and will influence decisions about when and where to conduct managed ignitions.

North Kaibab Ranger District: The Quaking Fire, which grew to 432 acres Thursday, is located about 40 miles southeast of Fredonia. On Thursday, crews completed managed ignitions between forest roads 271L and 271H. Today, managed ignitions will continue on Forest Road 271 from the 271H road east to the 206.

North Rim Grand Canyon: The Kanabownits Fire remains at 303 acres in size and is located about a mile northeast of the historic Kanabownits Cabin on the Walla Valley Peninsula. Crews are monitoring the fire and doing preparation work for future operations. Smoke production has been minimal.

Fire activity updates and maps available 24 hours at:

• Fire Information Line: 928-638-7819
• Recorded information: 928-635-8311
• Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov
• Text Message: text “follow kaibabnf” to 40404
• Twitter:@KaibabNF, @GrandCanyonNPS
• Photos: Flickr

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• Update: 4 wildfires in Kaibab National Forest
• Crews fight fire with fire, Kaibab National Forest
• Fire update: 11K acres closed in Kaibab National Forest
• Lightning strikes cause brushfires near Zion, Gooseberry Mesa
• Lightning sparks new fire on Arizona Strip; MGC Complex Fire near containment
• Gulch Fire contained; progress made on MGC Complex fires

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