Around 50 to 80 structures also destroyed when two forest fires burn in or near the northern edge of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Forest fires have wrapped a historical shelter, destroying it and diseases of other structures along the northern edge of the Grand Canyon in the state of Arizona in the southwest of the United States, the park authorities say.
The rangers were forced to close access to that part of the Grand Canyon National Park on Sunday. Superintendent Ed Kable said that Grand Canyon Lodge was consumed by the flames.
He said that a park visiting center, service station, wastewater treatment plant, administrative buildings and housing for employees were also among 50 to 80 lost structures.
Two forest fires are burning in or near the north edge. They are known as the Blanco Sabio Fire and Dragon Bravo Fire. The latter is the one that destroyed the shelter and other structures.
Started by Lightning on July 4, Dragon Bravo Fire was initially administered by the authorities with a “confine and contains” strategy. However, due to bad temperatures, low humidity and strong winds, it grew 20 square kilometers (7.8 square miles), firefighters said.
No leg injuries have been reported so far.
The governor of Arizona, Katie Hobbs, urged the federal government on Sunday night to investigate the response of the National Parks Service to the forest fire.
“First they must take aggressive measures to put an end to the forest fire and avoid more damage,” he said in an X.
It saddens me incredible the destruction of the historic Lodge of the Grand Canyon, and my heart is with each person affected by the fire of Bravo Dragon near the northern edge of the Grand Canyon.
Thanks to all firefighters and first responders who take measures to fight the flames.
– Governor Katie Hobbs (@Governorhobbs) July 14, 2025
Millions of people visit the park annually with most going to the southern edge. The North Rim is seasonally open. It was evacuated on Thursday due to the forest fire and will remain closed for the rest of the season, the park said in a statement.
The Grand Canyon Lodge was of the first prominent characteristic that visitors would see, even before seeing the cannon.
“It simply feels like you pioneer when you walk [the lodge]”Said Tim Allen, a resident of Arizona and annual visitor of the Grand Canyon.” He really felt as if you were in a past time. “
Carney Carney, another visitor from the park evacuated with his family, said he was disconsolate when he heard that a “magical place” had burned.
Firefighters at North Rim and hikers in the inner cannon were also evacuated on Saturday and Sunday. The park said that in addition to the risk of fire, they could also be exposed to chlorine gas after the treatment plant burned.
Aramark, the company that operated the shelter, said that all employees and guests were safely evacuated. “As the administrators of some of the most promised national treasures in our country, we are devastated by the loss,” said spokeswoman Debbie Albert.
One of the best wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon is the result that the Colorado River eats in red sandy layers and other rocks for millions of years, leaving a wound of up to 30 km (18 miles) wide and more than 1.6 km (1 mile.
Last year, almost five million people visited the site.
