Fri, Jul 04, 2008

Arizona / West

Fire strands tourists on North Rim

The Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.27.2006
FREDONIA, Ariz. — Hundreds of tourists visiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon were stranded there Monday after a wildfire north of the park closed the only road into the area.
An estimated 800 visitors and 150 workers can't get out because the fire crossed Highway 67A, said Leah McGinnis, a national park spokeswoman. The highway leads to the North Rim and lodges on the northern edge of the park. The same highway was closed most of Saturday but reopened, then was closed again late Sunday.
The tourists all are staying either in campgrounds or in resorts, which have enough supplies on hand for several days, parks officials said. The fire is miles from the visitors and there is no danger.
Among those stuck was Amber Boeldt of Globe, who was at the Grand Canyon Lodge with her husband and other family members on a family trip.
"The canyon is covered in smoke," Boeldt said by phone from the guest lodge. "That's all you can smell. There was ash everywhere."
She said the reaction among fellow guests has been mixed.
"Some are kind of like us — you leave when you leave. Others are panicked because they have flights to catch or other plans. So, some are upset.
"If we have to be stuck somewhere, I guess this is a good place to be stuck," she added.
The highway will be closed until further notice, said Sky Sieber, a public information officer with the team fighting the fire.
Boeldt said they were told the earliest they may be escorted out is Tuesday morning, but there's no assurance of that.
Officials also said Monday the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will close because of the fire. The park closure will be re-evaluated daily, and tourists in the area are being briefed several times a day, McGinnis said.