A historic lodge at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim was destroyed recently by a rapidly spreading wildfire. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the sole lodging option within the park on the North Rim, was lost to flames along with other structures, following evacuations due to the Grand Canyon wildfire.
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The fire also consumed the North Rim’s visitor centre, gas station, a wastewater treatment plant, an administrative building, and some employee housing. Officials are managing two separate fires impacting the area: the Bravo Dragon fire, which destroyed the lodge, and the White Sage fire burning nearby.
Destruction at the North Rim
Park Superintendent Ed Keeble confirmed the extensive damage during a meeting on Sunday morning. The loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge represents a significant impact on the park’s infrastructure, as it was the only available lodging directly within the North Rim area.
Beyond the lodge, the loss of the visitor centre and essential facilities like the gas station and wastewater treatment plant affects both park operations and visitor services. The destruction of employee housing also impacts staff living within the park.
The Two Wildfires
Two distinct wildfires are active at or near the North Rim. The Bravo Dragon fire is the one responsible for the destruction of the lodge and other structures. Park officials stated that this fire initially began as a controlled burn but rapidly grew, requiring a shift to full suppression efforts.
The second fire, known as the White Sage fire, is burning north of the national park. Both fires have contributed to the challenging conditions requiring evacuations.
Safety Concerns and Evacuations
The burning of the wastewater treatment plant created a specific safety hazard. Officials reported that the incident resulted in the release of chlorine gas.
This prompted the evacuation of firefighters and hikers from the inner canyon. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can settle in lower elevations, posing a health risk to those in the inner canyon areas. The North Rim area itself was evacuated last Thursday due to the wildfire threat.
Ongoing Firefighting Efforts
Crews are actively working to suppress both fires. Regarding the White Sage fire, officials reported progress, stating that fire lines that forced evacuations in the community of Jacob Lake are holding.
Hand crews and bulldozers are working uphill on the southern edge of the White Sage fire, and fire spread in that area has been minimal. However, the fire is spreading rapidly to the east and north, pushed by dry grasses and standing dead trees, moving downhill toward the Vermilion Cliffs area. Fire crews are assessing potential locations to create buffer zones to slow or halt this advance.
Aerial resources battle the White Sage wildfire burning north of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.
While the North Rim sees fewer visitors than the more popular South Rim and operates seasonally, it is a significant part of Grand Canyon National Park, which attracts millions annually. The ongoing fires and the destruction of key infrastructure present complex challenges for park management and future access.
Conclusion
A significant part of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim infrastructure, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, has been lost to the Bravo Dragon wildfire. The Bravo Dragon and White Sage fires continue to burn, prompting safety measures like the inner canyon evacuation due to chlorine gas release. Firefighting efforts are ongoing, showing some success in containing parts of the White Sage fire while facing challenges in others.
For more information on national park wildfires and their impacts, explore related articles.
