UPDATE: Fire Danger Subsides, Trails Reopen In Zion National Park
ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH – July 14, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – Two trails have reopened in Zion National Park after a wildfire shut them down over the weekend. West Rim trail and Angels Landing were reopened Monday.
According to the National Park Service, the 50 acre Cathedral Fire, burning near the West Rim Trail west of Angels Landing likely started when thunder and lightning storms passed through the area July 9.
Over the weekend the decision was made to close the lower section of the West Rim Trail – from the Grotto to Cabin Springs – after debris from the fire began falling on hiking trails below.
Sunday the park also decided to close access to Angels Landing. At one point, firefighters were deployed along the trail to help hikers return safely.
The National Park Service said fire crews would not be deployed to the actual fire site due to the extremely hazardous terrain. Instead, the fire will be allowed to burn itself out, provided it poses no threat to people or structures.
