State Glance

Grand Canyon closes North Rim road, trails due to fire

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK — Grand Canyon National Park is closing a scenic road to a North Rim vista and two trails because of a lightning-caused wildfire that has grown to 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers).

Park officials said Cape Royal Road, Cape Final Trail and Cliff Spring Trail would be closed Saturday night for public and firefighter safety.

The closure does not affect most North Rim facilities, including lodging and other services near Bright Angel Point.

The fire started July 21. Fire managers are following a strategy of confining and containing the fire while trying to protect “specific natural and culture resources.”

Park officials say smoke from the fire is visible from both rims and that visitors may see smoke or haze in the canyon.

Arizona entrepreneur eyes fixing historic N.M. saloon

LAMY, N.M. — An Arizona entrepreneur wants to revitalize a historic northern New Mexico saloon at Amtrak’s station outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The Albuquerque Journal reports Allan Affeldt is seeking to renovate the Legal Tender Saloon, which is part of the Lamy Railroad and History Museum.

Last month, the nonprofit group that operated the Lamy Railroad and History Museum dissolved and turned over its assets to the Winslow Arts Trust. Affeldt and his artist wife, Tina Mion, formed the Winslow Arts Trust in 2010 to promote the history of Winslow, Arizona.

The couple has renovated Winslow’s La Posada Hotel and the historic La Castañeda hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Tribe that owns Grand Canyon Skywalk to improve airport

PEACH SPRINGS — The northern Arizona tribe that owns the Grand Canyon Skywalk is getting nearly $2 million in federal grants to fix up its airport.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the funding Thursday for the Hualapai (WAHL’-uhpeye) Tribe. It’s part of more than $3 billion in airport improvement funding from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The tribe’s airport is at Grand Canyon West, a tourism venture outside the boundaries of the national park.