Latest news with #controlledburn
Forbes
a day ago
- Climate
- Forbes
Grand Canyon Wildfires: Wildfires Expand Rapidly And Defy Containment Efforts
The wildfires burning on and near the Grand Canyon's North Rim expanded Monday after burning down the historic North Rim Lodge the day before, prompting Arizona's governor to call for an investigation into the decisions made to manage the fire as a 'controlled burn.' The fire destroyed 50-80 structures at the North Rim, including a water treatment facility causing a ... More chlorine gas leak. AP2005 'High-to-extreme' fire activity Sunday night contributed to the Dragon Bravo Fire's expansion, the National Park Service said, as the entire North Rim of the Grand Canyon remains closed. A total of 295 firefighters were deployed to fight the blaze, the NPS said, which is still at 0% containment after burning over 5,700 acres. The White Sage Fire, the other fire that sparked in a nearby area on July 9, has now more than doubled in size since Saturday, expanding to burn over 49,000 acres as of Monday afternoon. The Dragon Bravo Fire grew quickly Saturday night around 10:30 p.m. MST, the National Park Service said in an earlier statement, as winds, hot temperatures and low relative humidity exacerbated conditions in the region. The fire grew quickly overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, expanding to burn over 500 acres in the park as wind gusts reached up to 40 miles per hour. Park staff and residents were evacuated before the fire reached the structure and no injuries have been reported, the NPS said. About 70 structures have been destroyed in the blaze, the NPS said, including a visitor's center, a gas station, an administrative building and employee housing, Grand Canyon park Superintendent Ed Keable told the Associated Press. The fire also destroyed a waste water treatment facility, the NPS said, prompting authorities to close trails on the North Rim after they confirmed the damage released chlorine gas that could pose a health risk. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Sunday night called for a 'comprehensive and independent investigation' into how the fire was being managed. 'While the flame was started with a lightning strike, the federal government chose to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer,' Hobbs wrote in a post on X. Controlled burns, or a prescribed fire, are used by the NPS for a number of objectives, including to 'to reduce fuels and thereby prevent a destructive fire.' Crucial Quote 'Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can quickly settle into lower elevations such as the inner canyon,' the NPS said in another statement, forcing the park to evacuate firefighters battling the blaze and cancel river trips inside the canyon. Firefighters are using an 'aggressive full suppression strategy,' the NPS said Sunday, after extreme heat conditions forced it to stop managing the Dragon Bravo Fire as a controlled burn. The firefighters on the ground faced 'dangerous and fast-changing conditions' while working overnight, the NPS said. Firefighters continued this strategy Monday, deploying heavy aerial resources and a hazmat team to mitigate the chlorine gas leak. Extreme heat conditions were reported both Sunday and Monday, with the Phantom Ranch lodge inside the canyon reaching highs of 115 degrees. Big Number 4.9 million. That's how many people visited Grand Canyon National Park in 2024, according to the NPS' data. However, the majority of these tourists spend their time at the more easily accessible South Rim, rather than the seasonally open and more isolated North Rim.
New York Times
a day ago
- Climate
- New York Times
Arizona Governor Wants Investigation of Federal Handling of Grand Canyon Fire
As a wildfire at the Grand Canyon National Park that left dozens of structures in cinders continued to flare on Monday, the governor of Arizona questioned the federal government's decision to manage the blaze using a strategy that preventively burns fuel-rich vegetation. The Dragon Bravo fire, which was ignited by a lightning strike on July 4, according to a wildfire tracking website, had grown to more than 5,700 acres by Monday, shutting down access to trails through the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park and destroying the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and other structures. 'While the flame was started with a lightning strike, the federal government chose to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer,' the governor, Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said in a statement. She called for an independent investigation. 'An incident of this magnitude demands intense oversight and scrutiny into the federal government's emergency response,' she said. 'They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage.' A controlled burn is one of the most important tools used to manage fire, according to the National Park Service. They help rid forest grounds of vegetation that can serve as fuel for fires. The prescribed plan takes careful account of the fuels, size, weather and environment and balances those factors against other possible fire-prevention methods. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Gov. Hobbs demands inquiry into federal response to Grand Canyon Lodge fire
Gov. Katie Hobbs questioned the federal government's handling of the Dragon Bravo Fire, which destroyed numerous structures on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. Officials opted to manage the wildfire, which started July 4, as a controlled burn rather than immediately extinguish it. The lightning-sparked fire had consumed between 50 and 80 structures and grown to 5,000 acres by July 13. 'I am incredibly saddened by the destruction of the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, and my heart goes out to every person impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire near the Grand Canyon's North Rim," Hobbs said in a statement. "As someone who was born and raised in Arizona, I know what the Grand Canyon National Park means to so many people, not just in Arizona, but all over the world, and how devastating it is to see this damage done to one of Arizona's most cherished landmarks." The lodge was the only hotel inside Grand Canyon National Park boundaries at the North Rim. Other lodging options near the main visitor hub of the North Rim are limited, with the closest more than a dozen miles further from the canyon's edge. Hobbs thanked the firefighters and first responders tasked with combating the blaze while calling for an independent investigation into the decision-making that resulted in devastation. "An incident of this magnitude demands intense oversight and scrutiny into the federal government's emergency response," Hobbs said. "They must 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. While the flame was started with a lightning strike, the federal government chose to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer." The fire was at 0% containment as of July 13. Here's what to know about the Dragon Bravo Fire. The Dragon Bravo Fire began on July 4 due to a lightning strike within Grand Canyon National Park. About 70 firefighters were working the fire as of July 13. Fire crews implemented a 'confine/contain' strategy that allowed the fire to burn while limiting its spread when necessary, according to the Grand Canyon National Park's Facebook page. Officials reasoned that allowing the fire to burn would reduce the accumulation of organic fire fuels and allow nutrient-rich ash to support new plant growth. The Dragon Bravo Fire grew rapidly on July 11 due to strong northwest gusts uncommon to the area, allowing the fire to jump multiple 'containment features.' The wildfire continued to grow on the evening of July 12, where it 'exhibited extreme and volatile fire behavior' and expanded by 500 acres. Winds between 20 and 40 mph continued to fuel the fire. Damage to a water treatment facility by the fire caused chlorine gas to be released. Fire personnel evacuated the area due to the gas, which also prevented aerial retardant from being deployed. So far, the Dragon Bravo fire has destroyed an estimated 50 to 80 structures. The structures include the Grand Canyon Lodge along with National Park Service administrative buildings, visitor facilities and historic cabins. Aramark operated the Grand Canyon Lodge 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." No deaths or injuries were reported, and all staff and North Rim residents were evacuated before the wildfire's rapid escalation, according to the park officials. The entire North Rim of the Grand Canyon remained closed as of July 13, along with all inner canyon corridor trails, campgrounds and associated areas until further notice. Closed trails include North Kaibab Trail, South Kaibab Trail, Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens. Park officials recommended that people planning to visit the South Rim check the air quality by visiting Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at or 602-444-2474. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @PerryVandell. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hobbs calls for investigation into Dragon Bravo Fire response
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Controlled burn of Fond du Lac County barn turns out of control, multiple departments respond
AUBURN, Wis. (WFRV) – In what began as the controlled burn of a Fond du Lac County barn, the flames quickly burned out of control, prompting a response from multiple fire departments. Deputies with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office say they got a 911 call around 9:05 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, from a passerby reporting a barn on fire in the W1000 block of Old Bridge Road in the Town of Auburn. Shortly after that call, dispatch was contacted by the property owner who stated the fire was a controlled burn of the barn. Fire at uninhabitated in Oshkosh under investigation, officials seeking evidence to find cause Roughly 15 minutes after the initial 911 call, a second 911 call came in from the property owner saying the fire was out of control. The flames at the barn, which is roughly 40 feet by 60 feet in size, began to intensify and threaten nearby structures. The Campbellsport Fire Department, Kewaskum Fire Department, and Eden Fire Department were called to assist. No injuries were reported and no other structures were damaged. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
'Controlled burn' strategy at Elstow waste site fire
A fire service said crews will remain at a landfill site throughout the weekend following a Fire and Rescue Service was called to the Elstow Waste Transfer Site at about 21:00 BST on Friday. People were advised to close windows and doors and avoid the area. The A6 between Wixams and the A421 remained closed. Diversions were in have worked with the Environment Agency, the UK Health and Security Agency, police and the council on a "controlled burn" strategy. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
