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Aside from Alaska 's harsh climate, the state also has to contend with a rising number of birth defects.
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The Independent
an hour 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
2 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.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Grand Canyon wildfires live: Mayhem as fast flames torch north rim at America's most famous tourist destination
Arizona firefighters are battling two fast-moving blazes that destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of other structures in the Grand Canyon's North Rim. The flames from two wildfires - the Dragon Bravo Fire and the White Sage Fire - have prompted officials to close the famous tourist destination for the remainder of the 2025 season. The iconic Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was torched by the Dragon Bravo Fire over the weekend. 'Numerous' historic cabins in the area also were destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire - which first broke out on July 4 from lightning strikes. 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 White Sage Fire, which began on July 9, has already destroyed more than 20,000 acres of land and remains uncontained, authorities said. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has called on the federal government to investigate the National Park Service's response to the wildfire. Historic Grand Canyon lodge destroyed in blaze The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames from the Bravo Dragon Fire. 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 heartbreaking.' 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. 12:42 Arizona Governor calls for federal investigation into wildfire response Governor Katie Hobbs called on the federal government late Sunday to investigate the National Park Service's response to the wildfire. 'They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage,' she said in a post on X. 'But Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park.' 12:42 Grand Canyon's North Rim ravaged by two massive blazes Two wildfires are burning at or near the North Rim, known as the White Sage Fire and the Dragon Bravo Fire. The latter is the one that impacted the lodge and other structures. Started by lightning on July 4, the Dragon Bravo Fire was initially managed by authorities with a 'confine and contain' strategy to clear fuel sources. They shifted to aggressive suppression a week later, as the fire rapidly grew to 7.8 square miles due to hot temperatures, low humidity and strong wind gusts, fire officials said. Approximately 45,000 acres of land have been destroyed by the fires as of Sunday, with no reported injuries. Park Superintendent Ed Keable said the visitor center, the gas station, a wastewater treatment plant, an administrative building and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost. Historic Grand Canyon lodge destroyed by fast-moving wildfire A historic lodge was swallowed by flames and brought to rubble after a fast-moving wildfire erupted in Arizona 's Grand Canyon National Park.
