California Condor Update: Northern Arizona Fires

Last week, two fires broke out in northern Arizona within the Southwest range of the California Condor: the Dragon Bravo Fire at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the White Sage Fire just west of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument (see map above). 

While the Dragon Bravo fire poses little risk to free-flying condors, the White Sage Fire (pictured below) is of particular concern. As of Thursday, all captive condors were evacuated from the Vermilion Cliffs flight pen and moved to a safe location. The majority of free-flying condors in this population are equipped with GPS transmitters, which allow our team to closely monitor their movements remotely. At this time, birds are avoiding the active fire area, and all free-flying condors in the Arizona–Utah population are accounted for. Condors have steered clear of this area when choosing roost locations, a time when they are particularly vulnerable. During the day, they are able to move quickly across the landscape, and we are optimistic that they will continue to avoid these high-risk areas. Our team on the ground is also accounted for and is working diligently to manage the risk across this population.

We are incredibly thankful to the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and all fire crews who are working tirelessly to contain both fires and protect our forests, battling against the heat and winds. 

We will continue monitoring the situation as we work closely with our partners. Condors need friends like you. We are accepting donations as we continue to closely monitor and respond to this developing situation: https://peregrinefund.org/help-condors.