Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge Destroyed in Wildfire: Historic Structures Lost, Park Closed. A fast-moving wildfire, fueled by extreme heat and strong winds, ravaged the Grand Canyon's North Rim, completely destroying the historic North Rim Lodge and up to 80 other structures, including a water treatment facility. The resulting chlorine gas leak forced evacuations and park closure. Firefighters battle dangerous conditions to contain the blaze
Grand Canyon North Rim Devastated by Wildfire: 50-80 Structures Destroyed, Chlorine Gas Leak Reported. The Dragon Bravo Fire rapidly consumed buildings including the historic North Rim Lodge, a visitor center, and a water treatment facility, releasing chlorine gas. Firefighters battle extreme conditions and a fast-spreading blaze
Grand Canyon North Rim ravaged by Dragon Bravo Fire: Rapidly spreading wildfire fueled by high winds, extreme heat, and low humidity destroyed 50-80 structures, including the historic North Rim Lodge, a water treatment facility (causing a chlorine gas leak), and visitor facilities. The blaze, which ignited Saturday night around 10:30 p.m. MST, forced evacuations and a complete North Rim closure
Fueled by 40 mph winds, the Dragon Bravo Fire rapidly consumed over 500 acres in Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim overnight. This wildfire's explosive growth led to the destruction of the historic North Rim Lodge and up to 80 structures
Grand Canyon's North Rim Lodge destroyed in wildfire; staff and residents safely evacuated, no injuries reported. The Dragon Bravo Fire, fueled by high winds and extreme heat, rapidly consumed 50-80 structures, including a water treatment plant, causing a chlorine gas leak. NPS implemented a full suppression strategy despite challenging conditions
Between 50-80 structures have been destroyed in the blaze, the NPS said, including a visitor’s center, a gas station, an administrative building and employee housing, Grand Canyon park Superintendent Ed Keable told the Associated Press.
The fire also destroyed a waste water treatment facility, the NPS said, prompting authorities to close trails on the North Rim after they confirmed the damage released chlorine gas that could pose a health risk.
“Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can quickly settle into lower elevations such as the inner canyon,” the NPS said in another statement, forcing the park to evacuate firefighters battling the blaze and cancel river trips inside the canyon.
Firefighters are using an “aggressive full suppression strategy,” the NPS said, after extreme heat conditions forced them to stop managing the Dragon Bravo Fire as a controlled burn. The firefighters on the ground faced “dangerous and fast-changing conditions” while working overnight, the NPS said. On Sunday, extreme heat conditions were reported again, with the Phantom Ranch lodge inside the canyon reaching highs of 115 degrees.
4.9 million. That’s how many people visited Grand Canyon National Park in 2024, according to the NPS’ data. However, the majority of these tourists spend their time at the more easily accessible South Rim, rather than the seasonally open and more isolated North Rim.
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