Grand Canyon, Ariz.—A wildfire burning on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park intensified rapidly on the night of July 12, destroying the Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous historic cabins. The “Dragon Bravo Fire” expanded by approximately 500 acres overnight, swelling to 8,570 acres, according to a Reuters report on July 15.
According to a new release on the Grand Canyon Lodge’s website, at approximately 10:30 p.m. on July 12, fire activity escalated due to sustained winds of 20 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. Firefighters worked through the night to slow the fire’s advance under hazardous and shifting conditions. Aerial bucket drops were deployed near the Grand Canyon Lodge and Transept Canyon. Still, efforts to use aerial retardant were halted due to a chlorine gas leak at the nearby water treatment facility. The leak prompted evacuations of firefighting personnel from the area.
According to preliminary assessments, between 50 and 80 structures, including National Park Service administrative buildings and visitor facilities, have been lost. No injuries or fatalities have been reported. All staff and residents were evacuated before fire activity intensified.
The news release stated the fire continues to exhibit active behavior driven by hot temperatures, low relative humidity, and continued strong wind gusts. Fire managers began ordering retardant drops on the east side of the developed area, including the Roaring Springs drainage, as suppression efforts continue.
The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy. Officials confirmed that the North Rim will remain closed to all visitor access for the rest of the 2025 season due to ongoing fire activity and risks to personnel and infrastructure.
All inner canyon corridor trails and associated areas are also closed until further notice, including: North Kaibab Trail, South Kaibab Trail, Phantom Ranch, and Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens.
“The primary objectives of current fire operations remain: protecting the lives and safety of firefighting personnel and the public, preserving the remaining structures on the North Rim, and safeguarding cultural and natural resources within Grand Canyon National Park,” the news release stated.
Grand Canyon Lodge shared another statement on its website. “As stewards of some of our country’s most beloved national treasures, we are devastated by the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous other historic buildings at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. We are grateful that all 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.”
The statement continued, “We are deeply grateful to all who have chosen Grand Canyon Lodge as their basecamp of exploration and adventure. Each guest helped make Grand Canyon Lodge more than just a destination, but a place filled with life-long memories. It is with heavy hearts that we share this devastating news. We know that Grand Canyon Lodge has meant as much to so many of you as it has to us.”
To keep updated on various alerts regarding this closure, click here: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/index.htm.
