Wildfire devastates Grand Canyon’s North Rim, destroying historic lodge, dozens of structures
Published: 15 July 2025, 12:29:58
A rapidly growing wildfire at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim has destroyed at least 50 structures, including the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge, according to U.S. authorities on Monday.
The fire, dubbed the Dragon Bravo blaze, has forced the evacuation of more than 500 tourists and park personnel since it ignited on July 4, likely from a lightning strike.
Strong winds reaching up to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) over the weekend caused the flames to intensify dramatically, the National Park Service reported.
Early damage assessments show between 50 and 80 buildings have been lost, including park administrative facilities, a water treatment plant, and the historic Grand Canyon Lodge—the only overnight accommodation on the North Rim. Built in the 1930s after an earlier fire destroyed its predecessor, the lodge was designated a national historic monument in 1987.
Authorities have now closed the North Rim for the rest of the tourism season, which typically runs through mid-October. The more frequently visited South Rim remains open to visitors, but several road closures are in place as fire crews continue to work in the area.
More than hundreds of firefighters are battling the fire by air and ground, while also confronting another blaze roughly 35 miles (56 kilometers) north in the Kaibab National Forest.
The fire was initially managed under a “confine and contain” strategy—allowing it to burn in a controlled perimeter rather than aggressively suppressing it. That approach has come under fire from Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, who demanded an independent investigation into the federal response.
“An incident of this magnitude demands intense oversight and scrutiny into the federal government’s emergency response,” Hobbs posted on X (formerly Twitter), urging swift action to stop the fire and accountability for the damage already done.
The Grand Canyon, carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, is considered one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. In 2024, it attracted nearly five million visitors.
As wildfires surge across the western United States in the dry summer season, experts are also raising concerns about the impact of staff and funding cuts to federal fire management agencies, made under the Trump administration, which could hamper both preparedness and response efforts nationwide.
