The Grand Canyon Lodge, a historic accommodation within the national park's North Rim, has been destroyed by the destructive Dragon Bravo Fire, which is part of a twin blaze affecting thousands of acres in Arizona. This loss not only affects the lodge, operating since the 1930s, but also leads to a complete closure of the North Rim for the remaining 2025 tourist season. Alongside the Grand Canyon Lodge, preliminary reports suggest that the Dragon Bravo Fire has resulted in the loss of between 50 to 80 structures, including essential visitor facilities and administrative buildings.
The lodge featured dining services, a gift shop, and a post office, making it a pivotal hub for travelers. Expressing their devastation, Aramark, which managed the lodge, stated their relief over the safe evacuation of guests and staff. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported amid the chaos, though the fire has been exacerbated by winds reaching up to 40 mph (64 km/h). Complications arose as firefighters faced the risk of chlorine gas from a nearby water treatment facility leak, demanding swift evacuations in the region.
The other significant blaze, the White Sage Fire, has burned more than 40,000 acres of the Kaibab National Forest, leading to further evacuations. Both fires are suspected to have been ignited by lightning strikes. Historically, the Grand Canyon is a major tourist attraction, drawing nearly five million visitors in 2024 alone, although the South Rim continues to remain accessible to travelers during the current emergency.
The lodge featured dining services, a gift shop, and a post office, making it a pivotal hub for travelers. Expressing their devastation, Aramark, which managed the lodge, stated their relief over the safe evacuation of guests and staff. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported amid the chaos, though the fire has been exacerbated by winds reaching up to 40 mph (64 km/h). Complications arose as firefighters faced the risk of chlorine gas from a nearby water treatment facility leak, demanding swift evacuations in the region.
The other significant blaze, the White Sage Fire, has burned more than 40,000 acres of the Kaibab National Forest, leading to further evacuations. Both fires are suspected to have been ignited by lightning strikes. Historically, the Grand Canyon is a major tourist attraction, drawing nearly five million visitors in 2024 alone, although the South Rim continues to remain accessible to travelers during the current emergency.
