Zion's Kolob Canyons Reopen After Wildfire

The Kolob Canyons scenic drive in Zion National Park has been reopened after crews fully contained a wildfire burning in the area.

The park service gives details in this news release. Here is an excerpt:

Firefighters have fully contained the Cliff Fire that has been burning in Zion National Park and adjoining Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. Due to the hard work of the firefighters and some timely precipitation a few days ago the fire was contained yesterday afternoon. With the fire no longer a direct threat to visitors, the Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive has been reopened. In addition, all the trails in the Kolob Canyons area have been reopened to day use only. No overnight camping will be allowed until fire managers are certain there is no longer a threat to backcountry users.

In addition, a separate wildfire burning near Lava Point is no longer considered a significant risk but the West Rim Trail remains closed. Here are excerpts from this news release:

Firefighters have been monitoring the fire over the last few days with no direct management actions taken. Recent burnout operations along the east side of the West Rim Trail have created a solid buffer zone that has greatly reduced the threat from the fire crossing the trail and moving into the western portion of Horse Pasture Plateau. Most of the activity is on the eastern portion of the fire on a mesa between Goose Creek and Corral Hollow. The majority of the acres burned to date is inactive or out. The northern portion of the fire is showing no activity.

For visitor safety, the West Rim Trail is closed from Lava Point to the junction with the Telephone Canyon Trail (near campsite #6). Imlay Canyon is also closed. The West Rim Trail from the Grotto to the Telephone Canyon remains open, as does the Angels Landing Trail and the Wildcat Canyon Trail.