Historic lodge destroyed in Grand Canyon blaze

July 14, 2025

Two wildfires, the Dragon Bravo Fire and White Sage Fire, have ravaged the area near the Grand Canyon's North Rim, destroying dozens of buildings including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge which dates back to the 1930s. The fires have burned across tens of thousands of acres, forcing the closure of the North Rim for the remainder of the 2025 tourist season and prompting evacuations. Both fires were likely caused by lightning, with the Dragon Bravo Fire destroying between 50-80 buildings while the White Sage Fire has consumed over 40,000 acres of the Kaibab National Forest.

Who is affected

Tourists and visitors to the Grand Canyon's North Rim
Aramark employees who worked at the Grand Canyon Lodge
Hundreds of evacuees from areas affected by the White Sage Fire
Firefighters responding to the blazes
Hikers in the area potentially at risk from the chlorine leak
Nearly five million annual visitors to the Grand Canyon whose access is now limited

What action is being taken

Authorities in Arizona are working to contain both the Dragon Bravo Fire and White Sage Fire
The National Park Service is conducting preliminary assessments of building damage
Evacuations are being carried out in multiple areas affected by the fires
Firefighters had to evacuate certain areas due to a chlorine leak at a water treatment facility

Why it matters

The Grand Canyon Lodge was the only accommodation within the North Rim national park area
The historic lodge had been operating since the 1930s and included dining facilities, a gift shop, and post office
Between 50-80 buildings have been lost, including administrative buildings and visitor facilities
The North Rim closure affects tourism for the remainder of the 2025 season
The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US, with nearly five million visitors in 2024

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC