Grand Canyon Lodge Destroyed by Dragon Bravo Fire

A fast-moving wildfire has caused significant destruction on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, leading to the closure of the area for the remainder of the season. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the sole lodging option within the park at the North Rim, was completely consumed by the flames. Park Superintendent Ed Keable informed residents, staff, and others during a meeting on Sunday morning that the visitor center, gas station, wastewater treatment plant, administrative building, and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost. Additionally, numerous historic cabins in the area were also destroyed.

The wildfire, known as the Dragon Bravo Fire, started on July 4 due to lightning and was initially managed with a "confine and contain" strategy. However, it rapidly grew to 7.8 square miles due to hot temperatures, low humidity, and strong wind gusts, prompting authorities to shift to aggressive suppression tactics. No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs called on the federal government to investigate the National Park Service’s response to the wildfire, stating that aggressive action is needed to end the wildfire and prevent further damage. She also emphasized that Arizonans deserve answers for how the fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park.

Millions of people visit the park annually, with most going to the more popular South Rim. The North Rim is open seasonally and was evacuated last Thursday due to the wildfire. It will remain closed for the rest of the season. Firefighters at the North Rim and hikers in the inner canyon were evacuated over the weekend. The park also warned that rafters on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon should bypass Phantom Ranch, which has a set of cabins and dormitories along the river.

The Grand Canyon Lodge was a historic landmark, often the first prominent feature that visitors saw upon arrival. It was known for its sloped roof, huge ponderosa beams, and massive limestone facade. The lodge provided visitors with their first view of the Grand Canyon through windows in the "Sun Room." The lodge was rebuilt in 1937 after the original structure burned down in a kitchen fire in 1932. The redesigned lodge used the original stonework and contained valuable archives and a famous 600-pound bronze statue of a donkey named "Brighty the Burro."

Tim Allen, a longtime resident of Flagstaff, Arizona, and yearly visitor to the Grand Canyon, described the lodge as a place that made visitors feel like pioneers. He often spent time camping and doing rim-to-rim hikes at the North Rim, trekking all the way to the bottom of the canyon and back out. Caren Carney, who was staying at the lodge with her family, described the North Rim as a "magical place" and was heartbroken to hear that it had burned down. She and her family were evacuated and relocated to the South Rim to continue their vacation, where they could see the blaze from across the canyon.

Aramark, the company that operated the lodge, confirmed that all employees and guests were safely evacuated. Debbie Albert, a spokesperson for Aramark, expressed devastation over the loss of the lodge, stating that it was a beloved national treasure. Thomas Sulpizio, president of the Grand Canyon Historical Society, expressed concern over the loss of valuable archives that were contained within the lodge.

Meanwhile, officials reported progress in battling a second wildfire burning north of the Grand Canyon. The White Sage Fire, which forced evacuations at the North Rim and in the community of Jacob Lake, had charred 63 square miles of terrain by Sunday afternoon. Fire lines were holding on the southern edge of the fire, but the blaze had spread rapidly to the east and north, with grasses and standing dead trees contributing to its intensity. The fire was pushing downhill toward the Vermilion Cliffs area, and crews were assessing opportunities to create buffer zones to slow or halt its progress.