Latest news with #GrandCanyonNationalPark
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
What structures were still standing on the Grand Canyon's North Rim?
About 235 structures were in danger, or were already damaged or destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire, according to a preliminary structure loss report released by the Grand Canyon National Park on July 15. The Dragon Bravo Fire is a lightning-caused wildfire that began July 4 within the park's boundaries. It grew slowly for several days and was initially being monitored as a controlled burn for forest management purposes. But after winds picked up July 11, the fire became uncontrollable. The fire began about 4 miles from the developed area of the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, where employees live, animals are housed and visitors stay overnight. When the fire reached the visitor hub of the North Rim, it destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, which opened in 1937, and dozens of other structures. Here's what to know about what was destroyed and what's still standing on the North Rim. What North Rim structures were destroyed or damaged? About 100 structures were destroyed as of July 15, according to the national park's preliminary structure loss report. Most of the destroyed properties were places where visitors stay, including about 75 cabins, according to the report. In addition, the mule barn, sewage treatment tanks, hazardous waste storage centers and equipment sheds were destroyed. About 12 residences were also destroyed, as well as a linen storage unit, according to the report. One structure on the north end, an electric and plumbing shop, was classified as damaged. The Dragon Bravo Fire preliminary structure loss report for July 15, 2025, detailing the north and south half of the North Rim. Provided by Grand Canyon National Park What structures were still standing but 'threatened'? Most of the structures left standing were residences and visitor lodges. Approximately 30 visitor cabins and two motel structures were still threatened by the fire. Of the residences, about 50 were classified as threatened, the report said. In addition to lodging, about seven concession properties were threatened, including a public shower area, a general store and a gas station, the report said. About seven more public properties were also threatened, including the amphitheater and several comfort stations, according to the report. A shelter and kiosk structure were classified as threatened, too, the report said. About 30 administrative structures were classified as threatened, including an employee dining room, a fitness facility and the campground registration area. (This story has been updated to add more information.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What structures were still standing on the Grand Canyon's North Rim? Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The Grand Canyon Lodge burned in a wildfire. What to know about its history
The historic Grand Canyon Lodge and dozens of other structures on the North Rim have been destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire, Grand Canyon National Park officials announced July 13. The lodge opened in 1937 and was the only hotel located inside the national park's boundaries on the North Rim. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in the 1980s. An earlier lodge that had a different design burned down in the 1930s. Here's what we know about the Grand Canyon Lodge and its history on the North Rim, which is visited by far fewer people each year than the more developed South Rim. How many people visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon each year? The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is visited by only a small fraction of all park visitors, according to the National Park Service. Across the whole park, over 4.9 million people visited the Grand Canyon in 2024, the National Park Service reported. In 2024, the North Rim saw 81,473 vehicle entrances, including employee entrances, according to National Park Service data. That was a 6.4% drop from the year before, according to the data. The South Rim, in contrast, saw over 1.2 million vehicle entrances in 2024, according to National Park Service data. The North Rim has not seen annual vehicle entrances over 100,000 since 2022. The North Rim's busiest year on record was 1993, with over 148,000 vehicle entrances, according to the data. Do you have photos or video of the Grand Canyon Lodge to share on We'd love to see them and share with readers. Send it to us at our video-photo upload site. The North Rim's first lodge was built in the 1920s The original North Rim lodge was built in part for the Union Pacific Railroad and opened in 1928, according to the National Park Service. Architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood followed National Park Service guidelines that required buildings to represent their environment. Its design included a second story and observation tower that were not part of the second lodge, according to the National Park Service. It was known for having college student workers who acted as part-time entertainers for the lodge, regularly performing musical welcomes for new visitors, according to the National Park Service. First lodge burned down in September 1932 In September 1932, a fire destroyed the lodge quickly, sending the lodge's staff fleeing in the early morning hours, according to the National Park Service. According to "Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History," a book by Davy Crockett, the blaze started as a kitchen fire when a chef was preparing breakfast for employees. Guests in adjoining cabins volunteered to help stop the spread of the flames, according to Crockett. The Union Pacific Railroad quickly reestablished a cafeteria and recreation hall after the 1932 fire, according to the National Park Service. North Rim lodge was rebuilt despite earlier fire The rebuilt lodge opened in June 1937. It had 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 new lodge sat on the foundation of the former and used many of the original's materials. The lodge complex consisted of a main lodge building with 23 deluxe cabins and over 90 regular cabins. It also included a saloon, a deli, a coffee shop, a post office, a gift shop, and a visitors center. The lodge was known for its "sun room," which greeted visitors with a view of the Canyon, according to the National Park Service. Where is the Grand Canyon Lodge? The Grand Canyon Lodge was considered the hidden gem of the North Rim, which is the more remote portion of Grand Canyon National Park. The more developed South Rim has several historic structures, including El Tovar, a hotel that opened in 1905. How did the fire that burned down the Grand Canyon Lodge start? The lightning-caused Dragon Bravo Fire started on July 4. It grew, and evacuation orders were issued for the North Rim on July 11. Hot, dry, and windy conditions fueled the fire's growth, with flames spreading through mixed conifer, aspen, and ponderosa pine forests, according to InciWeb, a federal government wildfire tracker. The fire had spread to 5,000 acres and was 0% contained as of July 13, according to InciWeb. What will happen at the North Rim after the fire is extinguished? Firefighters were working to extinguish the Dragon Bravo Fire. Park officials have not said when the North Rim would reopen or whether the area would be rebuilt. Gov. Katie Hobbs questioned the handling of the fire and called for an investigation. Officials opted to manage the wildfire, which started July 4, as a controlled burn rather than immediately extinguish it. Contact reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@ Follow him on Instagram, X, Threads and Bluesky: @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim destroyed by fire: What to know
The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Nearly century-old lodge destroyed for a second time
The Grand Canyon Lodge, a nearly century-old historic structure on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, was destroyed by a wind-whipped wildfire. The lightning-caused wildfire, which started on July 4, rapidly consumed the lodge and dozens of other structures after winds shifted. Designed in 1927, the lodge was the only accommodation on the North Rim and was cherished for its magnificent views and tranquil atmosphere. The destruction has devastated many visitors and historians who considered the lodge an intrinsic part of the park's history and appeal. This is not the first time the lodge has been destroyed; it burned down in 1932 and was rebuilt in 1938, leading to optimism that it will be regenerated again.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Where is Grand Canyon Lodge? What to know about the North Rim hotel destroyed by fire
The Grand Canyon Lodge, which burned in the Dragon Bravo Fire over the weekend of July 12-13, was on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the more remote and less visited part of the national park. The lodge opened in June 1937 and was the only hotel inside Grand Canyon National Park boundaries on the North Rim. It had 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 lodge was built on the foundation of an earlier lodge that burned down in a fire, and it reused many of the original's materials. Do you have photos or video of the Grand Canyon Lodge to share on We'd love to see them and share with readers. Send it to us at our video-photo upload site. Grand Canyon National Park has two main hubs for visitors, one on the North Rim, where Grand Canyon Lodge stood, and one on the South Rim, which is more developed and includes several historic structures, including El Tovar, a hotel that opened in 1905. Although the rim-to-rim hike between the developed areas of the North Rim and South Rim is roughly 21 miles, the drive between the two spots is about 220 miles. The North Rim is at a higher elevation, over 8,000 feet, than the South Rim, which averages about 7,000 feet above sea level. The higher elevation means the vegetation is different, and the temperatures are generally cooler. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim: Where wildfire destroyeds historic hotel
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Where is the Dragon Bravo Fire burning at the Grand Canyon? See the map
The fire that destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge was burning on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Lightning started the Dragon Bravo Fire on July 4, 2025. The fire was burning in the ponderosa pine forest within the northern national park boundaries, consuming 5,000 acres. The entire North Rim of the Grand Canyon was closed. The fire had burned between 50 and 80 structures on the North Rim, according to park officials. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on July 13 demanded an investigation into the federal government's handling of the fire on the North Rim and officials' initial decision to manage it as a controlled burn. Click on the map to zoom in on the fire location. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Map: Arizona wildfire burning on Grand Canyon North Rim
