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
Matt Damon rips into Oscars campaigning: 'Completely backwards'

Matt Damon Slams Oscars Campaigning: Reveals Why It’s ‘Completely Backwards

Matt Damon isn’t a fan of the Oscars buzz. The acclaimed actor,…
Jacksonville mother seeks answers one year after daughter drowned following crash

Jacksonville Mother Continues Search for Truth One Year After Daughter’s Tragic Drowning Post-Crash

The family of Jareesha Wilkerson continues to search for clarity about her…
Spain is hit with a THIRD train crash leaving several injured

Third Train Collision in Spain Results in Multiple Injuries

Spain has experienced its third train incident in a short span, as…
Aurora, Illinois news: Knife-wielding suspect shot, injured by police at South Broadway, North Avenue, officials say

Aurora, Illinois: Police Respond to Knife Incident, Suspect Shot and Injured on South Broadway and North Avenue

In Aurora, Illinois, a tense situation unfolded on Wednesday afternoon when police…
Retired colonel points to secret non-human recovery mission in Brazil

Former Colonel Reveals Covert Non-Human Retrieval Operation in Brazil

A former US Air Force fighter pilot has come forward with claims…
Good Samaritan stops Florida maniac attacking child with knife at school bus stop after jail release: police

Heroic Bystander Intervenes to Prevent Knife Attack on Child at Florida Bus Stop Following Suspect’s Jail Release: Police Report

In a disturbing incident at a school bus stop in Florida, a…
South Shore immigration raid in Chicago under new investigation by Illinois Department of Human Rights

Illinois Department of Human Rights Launches Investigation into South Shore Immigration Raid in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — Authorities have launched a fresh probe into a contentious…
'Sinners' sets Oscars record with 16 nominations

Historic Oscars Milestone: ‘Sinners’ Breaks Records with 16 Unprecedented Nominations

Ryan Coogler’s film “Sinners,” a vampire saga infused with blues, topped the…