North Rim of Black Canyon Reopens as South Rim Fire Winds Down

With the fire’s intensity fading and a new team now leading containment efforts, park rangers have reopened the North Rim of Black Canyon—just in time for summer crowds.

Type 3 Team Takes Command, Signals Fire Is Under Control

Visitors were turned away from one of Colorado’s most dramatic landscapes last week. The South Rim Fire burning through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park had forced closures and rerouted hikers, campers, and curious tourists.

But now, things are shifting.

On July 26, the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3, which had been overseeing fire suppression efforts, officially handed things off to a Type 3 Incident Management Team—a move that tells its own story. Type 3 teams usually step in when a fire is calming down and fewer national resources are needed.

In plain terms: the worst appears to be over.

“The objectives for the fire management are being met, fire behavior is lower, and the needs are something that local resources can handle themselves,” explained Niki Carpenter, Public Information Officer for the South Rim Fire.

North Rim Reopens, Bringing Tourists Back

Just four days after the command transition, officials gave the green light to reopen the North Rim.

On July 30, rangers officially removed closures and welcomed visitors back to one of the quieter, less developed—but equally breathtaking—sections of the park.

“They felt comfortable opening the North Rim… because the threat of spread from the south canyon is very low,” Carpenter said. “Functions on the North Rim will proceed as normal.”

That means:

Hiking trails are open
Camping spots are back online
Scenic views are accessible again
Park services are running on their regular schedule

And with August just around the corner, timing couldn’t be better.

From CIMT to Type 3, Now a Type 4 on Deck

The shift in fire management teams is more than just a bureaucratic change. It’s a signal to residents and visitors that conditions have stabilized enough to return to mostly local control.

Here’s what the transitions look like:

Incident Team Type	Description	Current Status
CIMT (Type 1 or 2)	National team with extensive resources	Concluded July 26
Type 3	Regional/local team with moderate resources	In charge since July 26
Type 4	Small local team for mop-up and monitoring	Scheduled for August 3

This descending scale reflects containment progress. With less active burning and improved perimeter control, fewer personnel are needed.

And while the fire hasn’t been declared fully out, it’s behaving—no erratic flare-ups, no dangerous wind shifts, and definitely no unexpected evacuations.

What Sparked the South Rim Fire?

Fire officials haven’t shared a final cause yet. As with many wildfires, it could’ve been anything: lightning, an untended campfire, even a spark from equipment.

But what’s clear is that conditions this season have been volatile. A dry spring, high temperatures, and gusty winds made for a perfect storm. When the fire started, containment wasn’t easy.

That’s why the CIMT was brought in initially—to coordinate air drops, ground crews, bulldozers, and overnight operations.

By the time the new team took over, that chaotic phase had mostly passed.

How Locals and Visitors Are Reacting

In nearby Montrose and Delta Counties, reopening the North Rim is being seen as a big win—not just for tourism but for morale.

The park is one of the biggest draws in the area. Restaurants, hotels, and gear shops depend on visitors, especially in the high summer months.

Ranger Elliot Mays, who’s been posted near the North Rim entrance for three seasons, said the energy this week was noticeably brighter.

“People were smiling again. We had families come in with fishing poles, a couple from Germany asking about stargazing. That was not the vibe last week,” Mays said.