A ferocious wildfire, known as the Dragon Bravo Fire, has wreaked havoc near the Grand Canyon, destroying a historic lodge that has been integral to the region's tourism for decades. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only place to stay within the North Rim of the national park, was among the many structures lost to the flames. The devastation has prompted a complete closure of the North Rim for the remainder of the 2025 tourist season, significantly impacting the millions who visit the Grand Canyon each year.
Since its establishment in the 1930s, the lodge included dining facilities, a gift shop, and a post office, making it a central hub for visitors. The company operating the lodge, Aramark, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, commending the successful evacuation of all guests and staff. Initial reports suggest that between 50 to 80 buildings have fallen victim to the blaze, including several essential visitor and administrative facilities.
Firefighters have faced significant challenges, aggravated by strong winds reaching up to 40 mph, which have driven the fire further. Compounding these difficulties, a leak of chlorine gas from a nearby water treatment facility forced multiple evacuations as the gas represents a hazard for those in lower elevations.
As of now, the White Sage Fire, a second blaze in the region, has spread over 40,000 acres of the Kaibab National Forest, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of individuals. Both fires are believed to have been initiated by natural lightning strikes. With nearly five million visitors to the Grand Canyon in 2024, the closure of the North Rim poses significant implications for tourism, although the South Rim area remains open to the public.
