Grand Canyon National Park Weekly Wrap-up: June 20-24, 2022

The CDC Community Level tracks a county’s ability to provide health care to COVID patients. We transitioned to Medium at the community level as of June 2.

If the CDC reflects that Coconino County is in High Community Level, then the park will be implementing an indoor mask requirement for everyone, to include all staff and visitors regardless of vaccination status, per CDC recommendations and by NPS direction. The Community Level is updated every Thursday.

What does this mean for all of us?

• Masks will be required in all government buildings (as they were before).
• Masks will be required on public transportation (including shuttle buses).
• Masks will be required in government vehicles unless you are riding solo.
• Staff living in shared housing (residential and bunk) will need to mask in common areas.

The Coconino County Community Transmission looks at the number of COVID cases and positive tests. Coconino County continues to be High. 14 Arizona counties are now in High community transmission with 1 in Substantial category of community transmission.

Total cases in Arizona for the week of June 9 through 15 was 16,334, which is an average of 2,333 cases per day for the seven-day rolling average. There were approximately 16 new cases reported in the park this past week. That brings the park total up to an estimated 293 cases, and 432 cases for the86023 zip code, since the beginning of the pandemic.

Vaccine Updates

The CDC has made substantial changes to vaccinations.

• The Moderna vaccine is now available for individuals 6 months to 17 years of age. Anyone 18 years of age or older is able to get the Moderna vaccine
• The Pfizer vaccine is now available for individuals 6 months of age to 4 years of age. Anyone 5 years of age or older, were already available to get the Pfizer vaccine.

The 32nd annual Grand Canyon Star Party is currently underway and is being held through Saturday, June 25, on both South and North rims. National parks such as Grand Canyon are protective havens for some of the last remaining dark skies in the United States. This is the first onsite event since 2019.

The event is sponsored by the National Park Service, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (South Rim), and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix (North Rim), with funding from Grand Canyon Conservancy and in partnership with the International Dark-Sky Association.

Amateur astronomers from across the country are volunteering their telescopes and expertise for the enjoyment of park visitors. Numerous telescopes offer views of planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars, as well as double stars, star clusters, nebulae, distant galaxies—and the Moon, earlier in the week. By day, keep an eye out for solar telescopes pointed at the sun. Weather permitting, expect spectacular views of the universe!

For additional information on the Grand Canyon Star Party visit http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-star-party.htm, or contact Rader Lane at 928-638-7641.

Grand Canyon fire restrictions and exceptions for local residents

Due to increased fire danger, Grand Canyon National Park, the Town of Tusayan, as well as the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests transitioned to Stage 2 fire restrictions on May 26. Under Stage 2 restrictions, building or maintaining an outdoor fire and smoking are prohibited (see exceptions below).

Additionally, operating or using any internal combustion engine such as chainsaws, wood splitters, weed eaters, generators, welders, or any other devices that can cause a fire are prohibited. This prohibition does not include street legal vehicles.

Exceptions:

• Permits for work with these devices can be granted through the GRCA hot work permit process managed by GRCA Structure Fire. For more information and to submit a hot work permit, either see this attached flyer or fill out this online form.
• For local residents, outside smoking will be permitted in designated areas clear of vegetation and at least 30’ feet from buildings. These areas include sidewalks, parking lots, or large graveled areas and these areas must be equipped with a cigarette disposal receptacle with a lid and dirt and/or sand inside. The receptacle should also be affixed or arranged so that it does not move during high winds.

More information on fire restrictions and fire danger ratings, please visit the park’s fire information page here. The map below from the National Interagency Fire Center shows the wildland fire potential outlook for June 2022.

As you are likely aware, there are currently two wildfires burning in and around Flagstaff – the Pipeline and Haywire fires. There was a third fire as well, the Double fire, that is no longer identified as a separate incident.

The Pipeline Fire near Flagstaff is 70% contained and approximately 26,532 acres as of Thursday, June 23. The Haywire Fire is 60% contained and 5,575 acres.

With rain predicted this week, many residents in Flagstaff and Coconino County are being urged to obtain flood insurance. A map of Flagstaff neighborhoods is available at https://bit.ly/3xWzDSF. A map of FEMA floodplain designations by address is available at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home.

We should all be ready to evacuate immediately due to fire or other emergency situations that could arise. We are now in the most dangerous three weeks of the year because of the very high fire danger combined with extreme temperatures. Review the Park’s evacuation plan and be prepared to evacuate quickly, should the need arise.

Access to information and being aware of our environments is critical in keeping us all safe.

If you haven’t already, please sign up with the Coconino County Emergency Notification System to receive official, real-time alerts and information about potentially life-saving actions you may need to take to keep you and your family safe. You can go to https://www.coconino.az.gov/ready

On Friday and Saturday this week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Gerald Lomaventema and Darance Chimerica will be demonstrating their arts at the Desert View Visitor Center shade structure, just north of the main parking lot.

Gerald Lomaventema is a traditional Hopi silversmith. He is known for one-of-a-kind silver overlay masterpieces, with designs inspired by nature and Hopi culture.

Darance Chimerica has been a Hopi Katsina carver for more than 17 years, and has developed his own style and techniques. He uses only hand tools, and his paints are from natural mineral pigments.

For more information on the Cultural Demonstration Program, please visit the park’s website here.

Upcoming external Environmental and Safety Audit

GRCA has a Third Party External Environmental and Safety Audit in September. A small team has gotten together to send out reminders for important things to look for in your work center to help the park prepare for this audit.

If you are interested in helping with this endeavor or joining the GRCA team, please contact kim_park@nps.gov or christina_ryan-miller@nps.gov.

Tips for helping your team through a successful audit:

1. Have a signed park Safety, Health, and Wellness document that is annually reviewed . GRCA has this – if you have not seen it, please check with your supervisor or contact christina_ryan-miller@nps.gov

2. Have written programs for specific hazards that are signed and reviewed annually. Work with your supervisor if you feel your section is missing program(s) or contact christina_ryan-miller@nps.gov to see if another section may already have one.

3. Correct items from previous audits. Both the environmental audit and the safety audit have separate reports with findings that should have been corrected. If you would like to see the environmental audit findings, please contact kim_park@nps.gov and to see the safety audit findings, please contact christina_ryan-miller@nps.gov

South Rim District Reports Available

The South Rim has been busy lately! Catch up on the last month of activity by reading the latest South Rim District Reports here.

• South Rim District Report for period ending 6-4-2022
• South Rim District Report for period ending 6-18-2022

Questions related to these reports can be directed to grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.

Community meetings being held next week on upcoming construction projects

Next week there will be two open house meetings outlining the park’s planned construction activities including the Transcanyon Waterline.

The first meeting will be on Monday, June 27, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and the second will be Tuesday, June 28 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Both meetings will be held in the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium near park Headquarters.

Representatives from the park’s project team and the Denver Service Center will be presenting on three major projects with presentations at approximately 6:30 pm for the Monday night meeting and 10 a.m. for the Tuesday morning meeting. There will be time both before and after the presentation to look at detailed maps and project information.

Community members and employees are encouraged to ask questions of the team prior to the meeting by filling out this short form.

Construction Project Updates

Several contractors are in park this week to explore the Transcanyon Waterline project areas in anticipation of the contract solicitation period expected in the coming weeks. Contractors will be on the South Rim and in the inner canyon through Friday, June 24.

Additionally, a group of park, Denver Service Center, and contractor staff will be on-site at the South Rim wastewater treatment plant this week to review design information and coordinate comments to facilitate the planning process.

Seeking Information: Wildland fire start behind Mohave Apartments on June 19

Law Enforcement, Emergency Services, and Wildland Fire responded to a reported fire behind the Mohave Apartments on the South Rim on June 19 around 5:30 p.m. The fire was extinguished by first responders before it could spread. If anyone believes they have information regarding the start of this fire, we ask that they please reach out to our investigative service branch tipline:

CALL or TEXT the ISB Tip Line 888-653-0009 or EMAIL nps_isb@nps.gov

Rangers ask that residents and visitors be especially vigilant this time of year, as the dry fuels can quickly lead to a dangerous situation and threat to the entire community.

NPS Job Opportunities for Locals in Grand Canyon area

Are you a local resident within a 90-mile commuting distance of Grand Canyon? Our NPS Administrative Division at Grand Canyon National Park is currently seeking applicants for six Budget Technicians. The announcement is open from June 24 through July 7, 2022.

Under the local hire program, only persons who live or have either lived or worked in or near Grand Canyon for the past two years may apply for consideration (excluding Flagstaff). Local hire eligibility will be determined by the hiring official via the job interview and the resume submitted by the applicant.

For more information, on these positions, please visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/661541400 or contact shannon_buckmaster@nps.gov.

Questions about the event can be directed to Matthew Brown at 928-606-5618.

LGBTQ Heritage website: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/lgbtqheritage.htm

Rotary Club Grant applications open for local non-profits

The Grand Canyon Rotary Club will be awarding grants up to $500 to non-profit organizations that need funding for a program and/or project that will benefit the Grand Canyon/Tusayan communities.

Applicants should send a brief letter describing the program/project by June 30, 2022. Award recipients will be announced at the July 4th community event in Tusayan. For more information on this grant, please see the attached flyer here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Bright Angel Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Burger, breakfast 8:00-10:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., dinner 4-9 p.m.
• The Arizona Steakhouse, Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Kennel-daily from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Rec Center, daily from 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge
• Breakfast, 6:30-10:00 a.m.
• Lunch, 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Dinner, 4:30-9:30 p.m.
• Lounge, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
• Patio (limited menu), 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Delaware North

• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-7 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Camper Services: Laundry and shower hours, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7 a.m.-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Beginning Saturday, May 28, the Grand Canyon Clinic will be shifting to its summer hours. After this date the clinic will be open 7 days a week with hours of 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes
• Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Cafe-8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): This week, indoor operations at GCVC will resume. Hours will be daily from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (see more information above)
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores (Visitor Center Plaza, Yavapai Geology Museum, and Verkamps) 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
• Grand Canyon Community Library: The library has resumed construction work and they are planning to reopen to the public in the near future.
• Until the library officially reopens, staff are conducting limited library operations, Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on the south side of the building. On Fridays library staff are in Tusayan, providing library services at the Tusayan Town hall from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., including story time, arts and crafts and activities for children at 11 a.m.

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Desert View Watchtower, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• The Desert View Deli,11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Desert View Information Table (staffed by NPS), 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (as staffing levels allow).

North Rim

• North Rim Lodge Dining Room, Breakfast: 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner: 4:30-9:45 p.m.
• Deli in the Pines, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Roughrider Saloon, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Coffee Saloon, 5:30-10:30 a.m.
• North Rim General Store: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• North Rim Service Station, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• GCC Bookstore/Visitor Center, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Roaring Springs Kiosk information, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The following closures are in place:

• Maswik South Lodging
• Maswik Pizza Pub
• Kolb Studio–scheduled to reopen July 1st, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
• Xanterra Food Truck

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

• Phantom Ranch cabin (NPS Photo)
• North Rim 2022 Star Party (NPS Photo/L. Cisneros)
• Gerald Lomaventema – Hopi Overlay Jewelry (left), and Darance Chimerica – Hopi Katsina carver (right).
• A law enforcement officer lays evidence markers at the fire location. (NPS Photo)