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32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Arizona governor calls for probe into federal handling of Grand Canyon fire: What to know
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) is demanding an investigation into the federal government's handling of a fire that ravaged multiple sites along the Grand Canyon's North Rim in recent days. 'An incident of this magnitude demands intense oversight and scrutiny into the federal government's emergency response,' Hobbs wrote in a Sunday night statement on social platform X. Sparking particular outrage among Arizonans was the fire that destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, the only hotel located within the national park on the North Rim. The Dragon Bravo Fire, which began July 4, exhibited 'extreme and volatile fire behavior' this past Saturday night, resulting in a 500-acre expansion of the blaze, according to the National Park Service (NPS). At about 10:30 p.m. local time, fire activity intensified as sustained winds of 20 miles per hour and gusts of up to 40 miles per hour fueled the flames, the NPS reported. Firefighters took action overnight to slow the blaze's development under what the NPS described as 'dangerous and fast-changing conditions' — accompanied by aerial bucket drops of water. The use of aerial retardant was impossible, the federal agency noted, due to a chlorine gas leak at a nearby water treatment facility that necessitated the evacuation of fire personnel in the area. 'Fire managers have confirmed the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous historic cabins in the developed area,' the NPS said in a statement. Preliminary assessments from the agency indicated that between 50 and 80 structures were lost, including the NPS administrative buildings and visitor centers. No injuries or losses of life have been reported thus far, however, the NPS stated. By Sunday evening, the fire had grown to about 5,000 acres, as documented by InciWeb, an interagency site that monitors wildfires. Meanwhile, about 30 miles north, another blaze — the White Sage Fire — had scorched about 40,186 acres and was zero percent contained as of Sunday night, the U.S. Forest Service reported. 'Hot, dry, and windy conditions continue to challenge firefighting efforts,' the agency stated, noting that readily available and highly flammable vegetation was 'creating a volatile environment.' Back along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizonans were mourning the loss of the historic lodge, which opened its doors in 1937 as a rebuilt version of its predecessor, founded in 1928, which had also burned down in a fire, according to the NPS. The original lodge, designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, served as a symbol of nature preservation and was built for its then-concessionaire, the Union Pacific Railroad. While a 1932 blaze 'engulfed the structure within minutes,' its inhabitants managed to escape unscathed. The 1937 redesign incorporated the same floor plan but had 'a more sensible structure' with sloped roofs that could tolerate heavy snows, per the NPS. 'I am incredibly saddened by the destruction of the historic Grand Canyon Lodge,' Hobbs stated Sunday. The Arizona governor called upon the federal government to 'first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage.' 'But Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park,' she said. Although Hobbs acknowledged that the blaze began with a lightning strike, she stressed that the NPS chose to manage the incident 'as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer.' 'I am calling on the federal government for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the management of the fire and a report detailing the decisions that led to this devastating outcome,' she added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Two wildfires prompt closures and evacautions of Grand Canyon's North Rim
The White Sage Fire and the Dragon Bravo Fire have prompted closures and evacuations of the Grand Canyon's North Rim.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Locals celebrate as historic rainfall brings lake levels almost back to normal: 'It's great for the start of the summer'
Officials in Kansas are excited after a historic rainfall helped raise a local lake's levels close to normal for the start of summer. According to KSN, Cheney Lake, located outside Wichita, Kansas, is sitting just a foot below its normal level after receiving massive rainfall on June 17, 2025. The lake's elevation now sits at 1,420.61 feet, and the conservation pool is 93.89% full. According to the National Weather Service, the 4.19 inches of rain Wichita received on June 17 was the fourth-highest single-day June rainfall ever recorded, and the highest single-day total since 1965. Despite the massive rainfall and the lake's rise, Wichita remains in Stage 2 of its drought plan, which limits water use for irrigation and lawns to once a week for non-critical outdoor watering. The conditions are based on the lake's 12-month average, and the plan could be revised as soon as July 1, 2025. The drought followed by a massive storm is emblematic of the issues that continue to plague our planet, courtesy of our changing climate. As Earth heats up, weather patterns become less predictable and more severe. Periods of prolonged drought are often followed by massive storms that dump large quantities of rain in a short period, which can destabilize the soil and increase the risk of landslides. It makes farming increasingly difficult, especially in places like Kansas, which heavily relies on agriculture in its economy. The western United States has been particularly hard hit by the aridification associated with our changing climate; reservoirs in California are now at full or near-full capacity for the first time in years, thanks to historic spring rains. Residents were also thrilled with the lake's rise. "It's great for the start of the summer because it means you can finally get your family out here, and we can do things that we wanted to do that we couldn't do the last couple of years out here, so it's pretty awesome," Wichita resident Josh Nelson said. Do you think your city does a good job of managing trash and waste? Yes Usually Only sometimes Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
