Dragon Bravo Fire destroys historic Grand Canyon lodge
Roughly 50 to 80 of the lodge's buildings were wrecked, including its visitor center, a gas station, its waste water treatment plant, an administrative building and some employee housing. 'Numerous' historic cabins in the area also were destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire - which first broke out on July 4 - the park revealed. Aramark, the company that operated the lodge, said all employees and guests were safely evacuated. 'As stewards of some our country's most beloved national treasures, we are devastated by the loss,' lodge spokesperson Debbie Albert said.
The lodge is a designated landmark that was built in 1928 by the Utah Parks Company. It has become known for its stunning architecture and its location, which offers sweeping views of the vast Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon Lodge was often the first prominent feature that visitors see, even before viewing the canyon. 'It just feels like you're a pioneer when you walk through there [the lodge],' Tim Allen of Flagstaff said. 'It really felt like you were in a time gone by...It's heartbreaking.'
Wildfires that grew more than 20 times from Saturday to Sunday forced 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 night. The White Sage Fire, which started on July 9, has already destroyed more than 20,000 acres of land and has not yet been contained, authorities said. By Sunday afternoon, this fire alone had charred 63 square miles of land.
Meanwhile, the Dragon Bravo Fire 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 US 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.
Parts of Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin and most of Minnesota are ranked 'unhealthy' for air quality on the US Environmental Protection Agency map. 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. 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 110F degrees as smoke continues to fly around from wind gusts. 'Not only is there dangerous heat at the lower levels of the Grand Canyon, but lots of smoke and high fire danger,' NWS Flagstaff said Saturday. 'Don't mess around.' A 67-year-old man tragically died on Wednesday while hiking in the Grand Canyon, the agency said. More than 200 firefighters and other personnel have been battling the blaze. Due to the gas leak from the Dragon Bravo Fire, officials evacuated firefighters from the North Rim and got hikers out of the inner canyon for their own safety. Park officials also told all Colorado River trips to avoid Phantom Ranch.
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