Dragon Bravo Fire Continues to Rage at Grand Canyon’s North Rim
The relentless Dragon Bravo Fire is wreaking havoc on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, as firefighters battle extreme conditions. Ground crews, supported by substantial aerial resources, are working tirelessly around the clock to contain the wildfire that has rapidly expanded to over 5,700 acres.
The blaze, ignited by lightning on July 4, has destroyed more than 70 structures, including the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge. Despite the efforts of National Park Service fire crews, the fire remains completely uncontained as of Monday morning. Initially, the fire was allowed to play its ecological role, but the sudden escalation led to the evacuation of the North Rim on Friday.
With closures and evacuations still enforced, the Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team has taken charge of the firefighting efforts. Their focus is on safeguarding both structures and cultural and natural resources. Additionally, a hazardous materials team is addressing a chlorine gas leak at the compromised water treatment facility.
Grand Canyon National Park officials confirmed the destruction of the historic lodge and several other structures due to the swift-moving fire.
Multiple popular trails and areas are off-limits, including the North and South Kaibab Trails, the Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens, and others. Phantom Ranch, the Bright Angel Campgrounds, and certain river access points are also closed. Consequently, the North Rim will remain shut for the remainder of the 2025 season, along with the North Kaibab Ranger District in the Kaibab National Forest.
In a related development, the White Sage Fire, located north of Dragon Bravo, has expanded to nearly 50,000 acres without any containment. The fire has prompted evacuations in the Jacob Lake area, which continue to be in effect.
Weather conditions on Monday are expected to be challenging, with high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds anticipated. Smoke from the fires will be visible across the North and South Rims. Residents and visitors are urged to stay informed about air quality through fire.airnow.gov.
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