Wildfires burning near Grand Canyon

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., June 11 (UPI) -- Most of the lightning-caused wildfires around the Grand Canyon in Arizona are being successfully managed, U.S. fire officials say.

While the Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding national forests are open, a 4-mile section of the Arizona Trail has been closed, The Flagstaff Daily Sun reported Thursday. The Ruby Fire, which has burned almost 800 acres in the Kaibab National Forest near Tusayan, has been moving toward the trail, officials say, and could be hazardous to hikers.

The Milk Ranch Point fire in Coconino National Forest has burned more than 1,000 acres since it started May 31. Firefighters have been managing the blaze by controlled fires to get rid of trees killed by bark beetles and dead shrubbery and underbrush.

One hazard from some of the fires is sightseers. Officials said drivers on Highway 64 near Grandview Point should keep moving, instead of pulling over to get a better view of the column of smoke from the Game Reserve fire.