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Daily Mail
2 days 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.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Dragon Bravo Fire destroys historic Grand Canyon lodge
A historic lodge was swallowed by flames and many of its structures were brought to rubble after a fast-moving wildfire erupted in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging complex in the park's North Rim, has been ravaged by the Dragon Bravo Fire, park Superintendent Ed Keable announced on Sunday. 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 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.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Historic Grand Canyon lodge destroyed by fast-moving wildfire
A historic lodge was swallowed by flames and many of its structures were brought to rubble after a fast-moving wildfire erupted in Arizona 's Grand Canyon National Park. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging complex in the park's North Rim, has been ravaged by the Dragon Bravo Fire, park Superintendent Ed Keable announced on Sunday. 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 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.
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Historic lodge on Grand Canyon North Rim destroyed by wildfire
PHOENIX — The historic Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim was consumed by a wildfire, Grand Canyon National Park officials said on July 13. The lodge, which opened in 1937, was about five-and-a-half hours north of metro Phoenix and was the only hotel located inside the national park at the North Rim. There are a few other hotels near the main visitor hub of the North Rim, and they are at least a dozen miles farther from the canyon's edge. The lodge building was made of a limestone façade that was sourced nearby, and massive ponderosa pine trees were turned into support beams to hold up a sloped roof capable of supporting heavy loads of snow, according to the National Park Service. The property consisted of a main lodge building with 23 deluxe cabins and over 90 regular cabins. The original lodge that opened in the late 1920s burned down in a fire in September 1932. That fire destroyed the lodge within minutes, sending the lodge's staff fleeing in the early morning hours, according to the National Park Service. The original North Rim lodge was built in part for the Union Pacific Railroad, which quickly reestablished a cafeteria and recreation hall after the 1932 fire, according to the National Park Service. The new lodge sat on the foundation of the former and used many of the original's materials, but was scaled back in its design, removing a second story and observation tower that were part of the original, according to the National Park Service. Architect Gilber Stanely Underwood followed National Park Service guidelines that required buildings to represent their environment. The lodge was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, according to the National Park Service. 'We are devastated by the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge' Among the amenities typical of a hotel, the lodge complex included a saloon, a deli, a coffee shop, a post office, a gift shop, and a visitors center. They were all in operation before wildfire closed the North Rim to visitors, according to the National Park Service. The Grand Canyon Lodge was operated by Aramark for the National Park Service. "We are devastated by the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous other historic buildings at the Grand Canyon's North Rim," said Debbie Albert, an Aramark spokesperson. "We are grateful that all of our employees and guests have been safely evacuated, and we join the National Park Service in mourning the loss of these iconic and beloved structures." Wildfire had burned between 50 and 80 structures on the North Rim, according to park officials. The inner canyon, including Phantom Ranch, was closed, as were trails to the inner canyon, because a water treatment facility on the North Rim was damaged by fire and was leaking chlorine gas, park officials said. Chlorine gas is toxic and is heavier than air, meaning it could settle into the lower part of the canyon. Park officials said the gas leak prevented fire retardant from being dropped and forced firefighting personnel to evacuate. The North and South Kaibab Trails, as well as the Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens, were closed to hikers. White Sage, Dragon Bravo wildfires burning on the North Rim Two wildfires burning around 30 miles apart to the north of the Grand Canyon had grown to over 45,000 acres by July 13, according to state and federal fire officials. A vast area had been put under evacuation orders, the Kaibab Plateau from the Utah-Arizona line down to the Grand Canyon. Fire crews urged the public to avoid the area. Highway 89A was closed at Fredonia and Bitter Springs. The farther north of the two fires, the White Sage Fire, had burned 40,126 acres. Smoke was first reported on the evening of July 9, after a thunderstorm. The fire was sparked by lightning and intensified by strong winds and low relative humidity, according to InciWeb. It burned through grass, shrubs, and native pinyon-juniper trees, the BLM reported. The Dragon Bravo Fire, burning to the south within Grand Canyon National Park, reached 5,000 acres according to InciWeb, a federal government wildfire tracker. The Dragon Bravo Fire was responsible for burning the North Rim structures, including the historic lodge. Hot, dry, and windy conditions fueled its growth, with flames spreading through mixed conifer, aspen, and ponderosa pine forests, according to InciWeb. Over 500 fire personnel were assigned to the White Sage fire, while 70 were assigned to the Dragon Bravo Fire. Both fires remained at 0% containment on the morning of July 13.
San Francisco Chronicle
02-06-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Yosemite contractor slammed for hospitality failings, including rodents at Ahwahnee bar
The company that manages the hotels, restaurants and other enterprises at Yosemite National Park has long struggled to provide decent accommodations for park visitors, with a record of shoddy food service, unkempt facilities and dangerously overdue repair work This past year, things only got worse, according to the 2024 performance review of Philadelphia-based Aramark, obtained by the Chronicle. On multiple occasions documented last year, the bar at the prestigious Ahwahnee Hotel had to be shut down because of rodents. At another time, faulty kitchen equipment spread foodborne illness at the park's food court, Base Camp Eatery. In another incident, an employee was injured at Yosemite Valley Lodge after tripping on stairs that had been tagged for fixing. On several occasions, the Curry Village Store was ransacked by squirrels and ringtails. Aramark, which operates as Yosemite Hospitality at the park, was given a rating of 'unsatisfactory' in the 2024 review. It's the lowest mark the company has received in nine mostly unfavorable evaluations since being awarded Yosemite's multi-billion-dollar concessions contract nearly a decade ago. A recent change in how the reviews are done ensured that poor performance would result in an unsatisfactory rating. The score, according to the review, is grounds for the park to terminate the contract with Aramark. Yet, as problematic as the company has been, Aramark is unlikely to lose the job. Prior evaluations found similar faults that justified termination, and still little has changed. In a letter accompanying the latest review, park officials say they'll continue doing business with the company: 'We value the partnership with Yosemite Hospitality and look forward to working together… to continue improving the visitor experience at Yosemite National Park,' wrote the park's then acting superintendent. Aramark's tenure at the park has also been colored by a handful of startling incidents with employees, including at least two workers charged with sexual assaults on colleagues. This spring, an employee died of an injury at an Aramark-run staff dormitory that authorities have described as 'suspicious' and that remains under investigation. Additionally, the company, which runs concessions in more than a dozen national parks, has been plagued by stumbles elsewhere. Last year, it lost its contract at Crater Lake National Park because of performance problems. Aramark officials declined a request for an interview with the Chronicle but emailed a statement, vowing to do better at Yosemite, as they've done after past reviews. 'We take this rating seriously, and in working closely with the NPS (National Park Service), we have and continue to make improvements at Yosemite to ensure high standards are met for park guests,' said Debbie Albert, a company spokeswoman. The National Park Service said in a statement it was hoping Aramark would turn things around. 'Yosemite Hospitality has shown a commitment to improve its operations,' the emailed statement said. 'We are committed to closely monitoring performance and working with our business partner to meet the high expectations of quality services our visitors expect.' While lucrative, the concessions contract at Yosemite is not an easy one to execute. The agreement, which is the biggest money-making contract in the National Park Service, requires the concessionaire to perform a range of often niche duties, from maintaining and operating a dozen lodging properties and 14 food and beverage sites to running bus service, backcountry camps and a ski slope. More than 1,000 workers are part of the effort. The difficulty finding another company qualified for the job could be part of the reason that Yosemite hasn't made any changes. 'If the park service says we're going to kick Aramark out and they can't find anyone to do it, what are we going to do?' said Jonathan Jarvis, a former director of the National Park Service. 'The concessionaire has the park service over the barrel.' Furthermore, Jarvis said, there's little motivation for the concessionaire to make improvements since it has a built-in customer base at the park. 'If Aramark gets a bad rating, it doesn't mean they're going to have fewer people staying in the hotels or eating in the restaurants,' he said. Another reason that Yosemite might be sticking with Aramark is vacancies at several top jobs within the park service, meaning there are fewer people to make tough decisions. Yosemite is currently without a permanent superintendent, and the Trump administration has yet to appoint the agency's permanent nationwide director. In California, Yosemite is the only national park that Aramark operates in, but the company has contracts with state parks and last year took over concessions at San Francisco's Oracle Park. Aramark provides services at sports stadiums, universities and hospitals globally. The company's 2024 review at Yosemite, which was obtained by the Chronicle through a public records request, details a pattern of contract breaches and blunders, similar to prior reviews. According to the document, the upscale bar at the Ahwahnee Hotel was closed at three different points last year, two because of rodent infestations and one because of a persistent leak in the kitchen. The first closure in June followed reports of an employee getting sick because of 'issues with chemical safety and unaddressed rodent contamination.' The Ahwahnee is the most venerated of the park's properties, having hosted U.S. presidents and British royalty. Rooms can run for $1,000 a night. The hotel is currently wrapping up extensive seismic work. The dining room at the historic Wawona Hotel and Base Camp Eatery were also shut down at various times last year to address 'imminent health hazards,' which included rodents. Park officials, in their review, drew special attention to a complaint that was filed with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration about Aramark. The filing said Aramark employees were removing dead rodents and roaches without being properly trained. The workers, according to the review, were exposed to 'various health hazards.' Park officials said they had not been notified of the complaint, as required by the contract. Yosemite has sought to take extra precautions around rodents since three people died at the park from the mouse-driven hantavirus in 2012. The performance review cited other problems with wildlife, too, including improper storage of food and trash at several sites, drawing in hungry bears, as well as the invasions of squirrels and ringtails at Curry Village. Another repeated complaint was Aramark's failure to maintain park structures. Problems ranged from frayed carpet at the Ahwahnee to loose electrical wires at the Yosemite Valley Lodge, where on one occasion a wire sparked and generated smoke. The guests staying in the smoky room were moved elsewhere. Park officials said the concessionaire too often responded 'reactively' to maintenance issues rather than doing routine upkeep. In addition to performance problems, part of the reason for Aramark's low rating last year is a change in the way concessionaires are scored. Under the new terms, the concessionaire can't receive an overall mark above 'unsatisfactory' if it is found to be below "satisfactory" in three of the six categories that the review is based on. The rating system consists of four tiers: superior, satisfactory, marginal and unsatisfactory. Aramark's overall score the prior two years was 'marginal. The company has been below 'satisfactory' five of its nine years at the park. Aramark got the concessions contract in 2016. The contract was initially for 15 years but has since been extended by at least two years because of the Covid pandemic. The company replaced Delaware North, which failed to win another contract after a high-profile trademark dispute with the National Park Service over who owned such place names as 'Ahwahnee' and 'Curry Village.' The concessions contract generates revenues of well over $100 million a year. The park service receives a percentage of the receipts.
