Wildland firefighters have been deployed to battle an approximately 16 acre fire in the remote Kolob Canyons of Zion National Park.
The fire was reported to park staff at approximately 5:30pm on August 23rd, 2025 with initial reports indicating that the fire was started by lightning. Seasonal thunderstorms are frequent in the desert southwest and Zion National Park with monsoon season extending from July to September and is due to an increase in atmospheric moisture and summer heat, which leads to strong thunderstorms.
Firefighters from the National Park Service and partners are actively addressing the flames. As of today 8 wildland firefighters and 2 helitack crew members are on scene. A single-engine air tanker (SEAT) was also used to airdrop fire retardant. In response to the fire, Kolob Canyons Road and all connecting trails have been temporarily closed including Hop Valley Trail, which connects to Kolob Terrace Road.
The Kolob Canyons Visitor Center and bookstore remain open to the public. Kolob Terrace Road also remains open and is not yet affected by the fire. Visitors are encouraged to continue following fire restrictions which are active throughout the park.
Related: Historian Remembers The Historic Grand Canyon Lodge That Burnt To The Ground In Mid-July
