The forest fires that affect the northern edge of the Grand Canyon intensified on Monday, one day after the flames destroy the historic North Rim Lodge shelter, which led the governor of Arizona, Katie Hobbs, to request investigation into fire management as a “controlled burning.”
According to the National Parks Service (NPS), the Fire Activity was “high to extreme” on Sunday night, which contributed to the expansion of the Dragon Bravo fire, which has burned more than 5,700 acres and remains at 0% containment, with 295 firefighters deployed in the area. The entire northern edge of the park remains closed.
Another close fire, the White Sage, started on July 9, has also intensified, exceeding 49,000 acres affected until Monday afternoon, doubling its size in just two days.
The Dragon Bravo fire grew rapidly from Saturday night due to strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity. The bursts reached up to 40 miles per hour, which facilitated their spread within the park.
Among the 70 structures destroyed, the NPS confirmed the loss of a visiting center, a gas station, an administrative building, housing for employees and a wastewater treatment plant. The latter caused a chlorine gas leak, which forced the closure of trails and to evacuate personnel due to health risk.
Governor Hobbs said that, although the fire was caused by lightning, the federal government decided to manage it as a controlled burning during the part “more dry and hot summer in Arizona.” In a publication on social network X, he demanded a “complete and independent research.”
In response to extreme conditions, the NPS indicated that it has stopped treating the fire as a prescribed burning and now applies an aggressive strategy of total suppression, supported by aerial means and a team of hazardous materials to contain toxic gas.
Extreme temperatures persisted on Sunday and Monday, reaching 115 degrees Fahrenheit inside the canyon, according to measurements in the Phantom Ranch shelter.
According to NPS data, the Grand Canyon National Park received 4.9 million visitors in 2024, although most went to the most accessible southern edge. The north edge, more isolated and open seasonally, currently remains closed to the public.
This note was originally posted in Forbes US
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