At least 13 people confirmed dead and more than 20 missing from girls camp in Texas flooding
Officials have also said more than 20 are missing from a girls' camp in Texas.
As much as 10 inches (25 centimetres) of heavy rain fell in just a few hours overnight in central Kerr County, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River.
Judge Rob Kelly, the chief elected official in the county, confirmed fatalities from the flooding and dozens of water rescues so far.
A flood watch issued on Thursday afternoon estimated isolated amounts up to seven inches (17 centimetres) of rising water.
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The Guardian
26 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Wildfire that destroyed Grand Canyon lodge spread after being left to burn for days
A wildfire raging along the Grand Canyon's North Rim that leveled a historic lodge erupted over the weekend after burning for more than a week, raising scrutiny over the National Park Service's decision not to aggressively attack the fire right away. Katie Hobbs, Arizona's governor, called for a federal investigation into the park service's handling of the fire, which was sparked by lightning on 4 July. 'Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park,' the governor said in a social media post Sunday. 'The federal government chose to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer.' Authorities first used a 'confine and contain' strategy by clearing fuel sources, but shifted to aggressive suppression as the fire rapidly grew to nearly 8 square miles (20.7 square kilometers) because of hot temperatures, low humidity and strong wind gusts, fire officials said. The fire destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park's North Rim, along with cabins, employee housing and a waste water treatment plant, park superintendent Ed Keable said Sunday. Park officials have closed access for the rest of the year to the North Rim, a less popular and more isolated area of the park that draws only about 10% of the Grand Canyon's millions of annual visitors. Hikers in the area were evacuated and rafters on the Colorado River, which snakes through the canyon, were told to bypass Phantom Ranch, an outpost of cabins and dormitories. No injuries have been reported, but 50 to 80 structures have been lost, the park superintendent said. From the air, plumes of black smoke could be seen rising above the canyon walls. The fire flared up Saturday night, fueled by high winds. Firefighters managed to make progress, using aerial fire retardant drops near the lodge before they had to pull back because of a chlorine gas leak at the water treatment plant, the park service said. Across the west, about three dozen fires are burning uncontained and another 80 fires are being managed to clear out vegetation that has clogged the landscape, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. So far this year, nearly 2.5 million acres have burned. That's slightly below the 10-year average, according to the center. Near the Grand Canyon's North Rim, there were two wildfires burning – the Dragon Bravo fire that destroyed the lodge and other buildings and the White Sage fire, which by Sunday afternoon had charred 63 square miles (162 square kilometers) of terrain. Officials reported progress in battling the White Sage Fire. Nearly 5 million people visited the Grand Canyon last year, with most sticking to the South Rim. Roads in the North Rim are closed to vehicles in the winter and the lodge opens in May through mid-October. The Grand Canyon Lodge, known for its huge ponderosa beams, massive limestone facade and a bronze statue of a donkey named 'Brighty the Burro,' was perched on the edge of the North Rim and offered sweeping views of the canyon. Caren Carney was staying at the lodge last week with her husband, parents and 12-year-old son when a park ranger knocked on their door Thursday and told them to evacuate. She was heartbroken Sunday to hear that such a 'magical place' had burned down. After evacuating, the family from Georgia went to the South Rim and could see the blaze from across the canyon. 'I'm so glad we got to have one final look at it in the present before it was lost,' Carney said. Aramark, the company that operated the lodge, said all employees and guests were safely evacuated. An original lodge burned down from a kitchen fire in 1932, four years after construction was completed, according to the Grand Canyon Historical Society. The redesigned lodge using the original stonework opened in 1937. Elsewhere, a wildfire burning in south-western Colorado closed Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and forced the evacuation of homes near the park. The fire was started by lightning Thursday on the south rim of the park, a dramatic, deep gorge carved by the Gunnison River. Jared Polis, Colorado's governor, issued a disaster declaration Sunday because of it and other fires burning in western Colorado.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Wildfire along Grand Canyon's North Rim destroys historic lodge and is spreading rapidly
A wildfire that leveled a historic lodge and visitors center on the Grand Canyon's North Rim grew rapidly more than a week after it began as firefighters pushed ahead Monday with efforts to slow its spread. Park officials have closed access for the season to the North Rim, a less popular area of the park that draws only about 10% of the Grand Canyon 's millions of annual visitors. The fire destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, along with cabins, employee housing and a waste water treatment plant, park Superintendent Ed Keable said Sunday. Firefighters at the North Rim and hikers in the inner canyon were evacuated during the weekend over concerns about the fire and potential exposure to chlorine gas after a treatment plant burned. Rafters on the Colorado River, which snakes through the Grand Canyon, were told to bypass Phantom Ranch, an outpost of cabins and dormitories at the bottom of the canyon. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Sunday called for a federal investigation into the National Park Service's handling of the wildfire, which was sparked by lightning July 4. Authorities first used a 'confine and contain' strategy by clearing fuel sources, but shifted to aggressive suppression a week later as the fire rapidly grew to 7.8 square miles (20 square kilometers) because of hot temperatures, low humidity and strong wind gusts, fire officials said. 'Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park,' the governor said in a social media post. No injuries have been reported, but 50 to 80 structures have been lost, the park superintendent said. There are two wildfires burning near the North Rim — the Dragon Bravo Fire that destroyed the lodge and other buildings and the White Sage Fire, which by Sunday afternoon had charred 63 square miles (162 square kilometers) of terrain. Officials reported progress in battling the White Sage Fire. The Grand Canyon Lodge, known for its huge ponderosa beams, massive limestone facade and a 600-pound (272-kilogram) bronze statue of a donkey named 'Brighty the Burro,' was perched on the edge of the North Rim and offered sweeping views of the canyon. Caren Carney was staying at the lodge last week with her husband, parents and 12-year-old son when a park ranger knocked on their door Thursday and told them to evacuate. She was heartbroken Sunday to hear that such a 'magical place' had burned down. After evacuating, the family from Georgia went to the South Rim and could see the blaze from across the canyon. 'I'm so glad we got to have one final look at it in the present before it was lost,' Carney said. Aramark, the company that operated the lodge, said all employees and guests were safely evacuated. An original lodge burned down from a kitchen fire in 1932, four years after construction was completed, according to the Grand Canyon Historical Society. The redesigned lodge using the original stonework opened in 1937. Elsewhere, a wildfire burning in southwestern Colorado closed Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and forced the evacuation of homes near the park. The fire was started by lightning Thursday on the south rim of the park, a dramatic, deep gorge carved by the Gunnison River. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issued a disaster declaration Sunday because of it and other fires burning in western Colorado. ___
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Grand Canyon wildfire blankets Midwest with chlorine gas
A massive wildfire near Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park erupted overnight, growing more than 20 times in the past 24 hours - forcing hundreds to evacuate. A thick blanket of black smoke has consumed the Midwest after not just one, but two fires broke out within 30 miles from each other - bringing deadly chlorine gas with it. The White Sage Fire in Kaibab National Forest, and the Dragon Bravo Fire near Grand Canyon National Park, are still raging as of Sunday afternoon. The White Sage Fire, which started on July 9, has already scorched more than 20,000 acres of land and has not yet been contained, authorities said. Meanwhile, the Dragon Bravo Fire, which exploded on July 4, is also not contained as it continues to threaten historic structures in the area and animals. The out of control blaze also caused the park's water treatment plant to go up in flames. Because of that, chlorine gas has been released into the air, officials confirmed after firefighters responded to the scene on the North Rim around 3.30pm Saturday. Chlorine gas is toxic and heavier than air, making it easier for it to settle in lower elevations like the inner canyon where river rafters and hikers frequent. The fires are believed to have started by lightning and thunderstorms, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The blazes have forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes and the national park to close until further notice. Locals have been left panicked and fearful of the damage the fires have already left and what is to come. 'Holding back the tears this evening. The Dragon Bravo Fire is raging east and has now burned structures in Grand Canyon National Park,' one resident said alongside a dark image with bright orange and red flames flying high in the back. 'We've been watching it in real time from our front porch,' another posted. 'Super sad.' 'Fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes. We're living in perilous times,' someone else wrote. Another commenter said: 'Scary how fast nature can turn dangerous. Stay safe, Arizona.' 'That's a significant impact during peak season. Hope the wildfire is contained soon and everyone stays safe,' a user wrote. Not only are fires raging on in Arizona, but smoke from the Canadian wildfires continued to cover much of the Upper Midwest Saturday evening. Currently, parts of Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin and most of Minnesota are ranked 'unhealthy' for air quality on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency map. The part of North Dakota that is home to Theodore Roosevelt National Park is specifically at risk because of its 'very unhealthy' air quality levels. The North Rim, the North Kaibab Trail, the South Kaibab Trail and the Phantom Ranch areas remain closed as of Sunday morning due to the gas leak. The South Rim remains open, the Park Service said. The billowing smoke comes at a time when summer activities are meant to be in full effect in the area, including people enjoying the lakes and many trails. Meanwhile, Coconino County authorities 'issued evacuation notices for areas north and south of Jacob Lake,' as well as 'the North Rim of the Grand Canyon Nation Park,' per the Bureau of Land Management. On Friday, nearly 500 visitors were evacuated from the area while residents and park employees were told to shelter in place, officials said on X. Melinda Rich Marshall, who runs the Jacob Lake in Fredonia - about three miles from the White Sage Fire - had to scramble to protect her guests and business. She quickly evacuated everyone, including employees and artifacts, Marshall told NBC News. 'Emotions sort of go up and down,' she said, adding that a caretaker stayed behind to keep an eye on the premises until it is no longer safe enough to do so. 'There are definitely things that we left and that we couldn't take, but we're so grateful that all of the people were accounted for all of our employees made it safely,' Marshall said. Since she began tracking the enormous blaze on Friday, it has doubled in size. 'We had been told it was about 1,000 acres. That makes it really unpredictable and really hard to contain, and that's part of what makes those emotions go kind of all over the place,' she explained. Those affected have been urged to take the necessary precautions to stay away from the intense smoke and flames. Residents have been told to limit their time outdoors, to keep windows closed, and run air purifiers - especially for those with lung conditions, asthma, and the elderly. In addition to the raging wildfires, park officials and forecasters have warned of dangerously hot conditions over the next few days. Temperatures are expected to reach over 110°F degrees as smoke continues to fly around from wind gusts.
