An official says a historic Grand Canyon lodge has been destroyed by wildfire
Share and Follow

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A historic lodge on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim has been destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire, the park said Sunday.

The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents, staff and others in a meeting Sunday morning. He said the visitor center, the gas station, a waste water treatment plant, an administrative building and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost.

Two wildfires are burning at or near the North Rim, known as the White Sage Fire and the Dragon Bravo Fire. The latter is the one that impacted the lodge and other structures. The park initially was managing it as a controlled burn but then shifted to suppression as it rapidly grew to 7.8 square miles (20 square kilometers) because of hot temperatures, low humidity and wind, fire officials said.

The White Sage Fire doubled in size on Sunday, growing from roughly 20,000 acres to 40,000, according to government website that tracks U.S. fires.

No injuries have been reported.

Millions of people visit Grand Canyon National Park annually, with most going to the more popular South Rim. The North Rim is open seasonally. It was evacuated last Thursday because of wildfire.

A plane release pink smoke over the landscape
Aerial resources working to suppress the White Sage wildfire burning north of Grand Canyon National Park in Ariz., on Thursday.Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Office via AP

Firefighters at the North Rim and hikers in the inner canyon were evacuated over the weekend. The park said along with the fire risk, they could potentially be exposed to chlorine gas after the treatment plant burned. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can lead to blurred vision, irritation or respiratory problems if high amounts of it are breathed in, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rafters on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon also were told to bypass Phantom Ranch, which has a set of cabins and dormitories along the river.

The North Rim lodge was often the first prominent feature that visitors see, even before viewing the canyon. A highway ends at the lodge, which was known for its sloped roof, huge ponderosa beams and massive limestone facade. By walking across the lobby and descending a stairwell, visitors could get their first view of the Grand Canyon shining through windows across the “Sun Room.”

Meanwhile, officials reported progress in battling a second wildfire burning north of the Grand Canyon. Fire lines on the White Sage Fire that forced evacuations at the North Rim and in the community of Jacob Lake were holding, officials said. On the southern edge of the fire, hand crews and bulldozers were working uphill, and the spread of the blaze had been minimal.

But to the east and north, the fire has spread rapidly, with grasses and standing dead trees contributing to the fire’s intensity, officials said. The fire was pushing downhill toward the Vermilion Cliffs area, and crews were assessing opportunities to create buffer zones that help slow or halt the fire’s progress.

.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
$400,000 worth of lobster stolen on way to Costco stores

Thieves Make Off with $400K in Lobsters Destined for Costco Shelves

The logistics firm tasked with securing a driver for the delivery suspects…
Christian Pulisic speaks out on Sydney Sweeney dating rumors

Christian Pulisic Addresses Speculation Regarding Sydney Sweeney Romance Rumors

Christian Pulisic, the renowned American soccer player, has grown tired of the…
Congresswoman accused of stealing $5M in COVID funds maintains innocence

Congresswoman Denies Allegations in $5M COVID Funds Scandal: The Truth Behind the Accusations

Outside a Miami federal courthouse on Monday, U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick firmly…
Volodymyr Zelensky says US is offering Ukraine 15-year security guarantee in latest peace plan

US Proposes 15-Year Security Guarantee for Ukraine in New Peace Plan, Says President Zelensky

In a recent development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the United…
Body of triathlete found after shark attack off California coast

Triathlete’s Body Recovered Following Shark Attack off California Coast

In a tragic turn of events, the body of a missing triathlete…
Chicago weather: Parts of Illinois cleaning up after storm damage; NWS survey crews determine 5 tornadoes touched down

Storm Aftermath: Illinois Communities Recover as 5 Tornadoes Confirmed by NWS

A powerful storm system swept through northern Illinois on Sunday, leaving a…
Fifth suspected New Orleans accomplice arrested for allegedly aiding inmates in jailbreak

2025’s Most Intense Manhunts: Five Cases That Gripped American Cities and Campuses

Throughout the year, fugitives have transformed serene neighborhoods, small towns, and college…
Community rallies around Lisa Bowling, owner of The Soul Spot at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, after cancer diagnosis

Community Unites in Support for The Soul Spot Owner Lisa Bowling Amid Cancer Battle at Aurora’s Fox Valley Mall

AURORA, Ill. — The community of Aurora is coming together in a…