Historic Grand Canyon lodge destroyed as wildfires force evacuations in northern Arizona

The Grand Canyon Lodge was among "numerous" historic structures to burn as two wildfires in northern Arizona triggered evacuations amid hot, dry and gusty conditions, officials said Sunday.The big picture: Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) on Sunday demanded an investigation in regards to the Dragon Bravo Fire that razed the historic lodge in the Grand Canyon National Park, noting on X that "the federal government chose to manage" that blaze that started with a lightning strike "as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer." Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said on X she wants "a comprehensive and independent investigation" into the fire's management "and a report detailing the decisions that led to this devastating outcome." Screenshot: Hobbs/XParts of the Grand Canyon National Park were closed until further notice due to the Dragon Bravo Fire, according to a National Park Service post.By the numbers: The fire that ignited in the area of the North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park on July 4 was burning out of control over some 5,000 acres as of Sunday night, per Inciweb, an interagency website that tracks wildfires.The nearby White Sage Fire that began after a July 9 thunderstorm had grown to nearly 40,200 acres at 0% containment, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Threat level: Among the structures destroyed or damaged in the Dragon Bravo Fire were a water treatment facility, "numerous historic cabins" and the only lodge at the North Rim, which had been in operation since 1937, per National Park Service posts.It was later confirmed that chlorine gas was released from the water treatment facility that caught fire and "park authorities immediately evacuated firefighters from the North Rim and hikers from the inner canyon, and closed access to specific areas within the inner canyon," the NPS said.Fire activity "intensified rapidly" late Saturday, "fueled by sustained winds of 20 mph," with gusts reaching up to 40 mph, per a Grand Canyon National Park Facebook post."Firefighters made significant efforts overnight to slow the fire's progression under dangerous and fast-changing conditions," according to the post.Meanwhile, the White Sage Fire has prompted road closures and crossed Highway 89A near House Rock Valley, Ariz., the Bureau of Land Management's Arizona Fire Management said on X Sunday night.Firefighters tackling the blaze were facing "very extreme fire behavior due to the dry conditions, gusty and erratic winds inhibiting the ability for fire fighters on the second night, to safely engage the fire," per a the U.S. Forest Service post."The fire made a significant run on the afternoon of July 10, spotting, and torching due to sustained winds from 15-20 mph, fueled by extremely dry conditions, low relative humidity, and low fuel moistures. This very active fire behavior continued into the evening and into the early morning."What we're watching: Gusty and "erratic winds" were possible in and around thunderstorms, the National Weather Service said in a Sunday forecast discussion.An extreme heat warning was expected to continue for the Grand Canyon below 4,000 feet through Wednesday evening "due to high temperatures of 110-115F at those lower elevations," according to the NWS.Representatives for the Agriculture Department and U.S. Forest Service did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on Hobbs' investigation calls.Between the lines: Research shows hot, dry and windy weather that helps wildfires spread is becoming more common across much of the U.S. amid climate change, per Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick.Here is a great shot of the Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim this morning. Not only is there dangerous heat at the lower levels of the Grand Canyon, but lots of smoke and high fire danger. Don't mess around.Posted by US National Weather Service Flagstaff Arizona on Saturday, July 12, 2025Go deeper: Climate change made LA fires far more likely, study saysEditor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

Comments

World news

Huge military exercise involving 19 countries begins as Chinese surveillance expected

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Tourists mourn historic Grand Canyon lodge burned to the ground by wildfire

Wildfires destroy historic lodge on Grand Canyon’s North Rim, park says

‘Now or never’ to save €26m replica of historic French ship, campaigners say

New Caledonia to be declared a state in ‘historic’ agreement – but will remain French

Historic Hector ship set for relaunch in Nova Scotia

What to know about the Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th century masterpiece of historical record

Britain and France must shoulder burden of keeping Europe safe, Macron says in historic parliament address

Tesla’s historic decline under Elon Musk in seven charts

Trump nears historic choice on Iran: Should U.S. join Israel in its attack?

Joyful Parisians take a historic plunge into the Seine after 100 years

World news

Huge military exercise involving 19 countries begins as Chinese surveillance expected

Democratic strategist points finger of blame at one person over Epstein list debacle, and it’s not Pam Bondi

France celebrates Bastille Day with fireworks, axes and a flypast

UC Berkeley professor gunned down in Greece outside of his ex-wife’s home

Berlin doctor on trial accused of murdering 15 patients

Hospital evacuated as half of Spain hit by heavy rain

Bernard Kerik: 9/11 police commissioner later imprisoned and pardoned dies aged 69

Anti-migrant groups throw bottles at riot police in Spain during unrest

Customer gobsmacked after police step in to deliver pizza after driver arrested

Emmanuel Macron warns Europe’s freedom faces 'greatest threat’ since World War Two

Tourists mourn historic Grand Canyon lodge burned to the ground by wildfire

Texas floods latest: Death toll climbs to 132 as dozens rescued after new round of flash floods

‘Humanitarian city’ in Gaza a concentration camp for Palestinians: former Israeli PM

Air India crash pilot's medical records examined amid 'mental health issues' as probe into tragedy continues

The reconstruction of Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange takes shape after a destructive fire

European trade ministers meet to forge strategy after surprise 30% tariffs from Trump

Clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin clans in Syria kill more than 30 people

Trump to make unprecedented second state visit to UK in September

Indonesia earthquake LIVE: Huge 6.9 magnitude tremor hits off coast

Spain earthquake LIVE: Almeria and Costa del Sol hit by 'incredible roar'

Watch: Was Lady Gaga's Rio concert really attended by 2.1m people?

Aviation authority says Boeing fuel switches are safe during crash probe

Don't vilify Air India crash crew: Indian pilots' association

World's oldest president to seek eighth term

Taiwanese boy band F4 thrills fans with surprise reunion

Ukraine’s security agency says it killed Russian agents suspected of gunning down its officer

Spain battles severe floods as cars submerged and roads turned to rivers

South African president suspends police minister accused of colluding with criminal syndicates

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump says he will send Patriot missiles to Kyiv ahead of ‘major statement on Russia’

Brit, 25, who died after hotel balcony fall in Malta named and pictured

Financial ombudsman rebuked by MPs over ‘dismissal’ of ex-chief

Millions at risk of hosepipe ban as another firm issues warning ahead of 29°C weather

Angela Rayner is prepared to let go of her union roots in a quest for power

Trump reverses course on Ukraine, agrees to send missiles

Jannik Sinner has been let down by tennis

Epstein returns to haunt Trump from beyond the grave

Four unanswered questions over Gregg Wallace scandal as report set to be released

I took a slow train in Georgia past a Soviet spa town and vineyards to the sea

‘We are disabled and want to work, but government support scheme is blocking us’

The NHS trust refusing to pay skilled staff an extra £1 an hour

Historic Grand Canyon lodge destroyed as wildfires force evacuations in northern Arizona

Pope celebrates Mass in parish church with special ties to his Augustinian order

Air India pilot's medical records being examined 'over mental health fears'

'Friends said not to get in van – driver hacked off my arms and threw me down cliff'

Hungary's oldest library is fighting to save 100,000 books from a beetle infestation

Trump marks anniversary of assassination attempt at the FIFA Club World Cup final

A military exercise drawing together 19 nations and 35,000 forces begins in Australia

Monday Briefing: America’s Brain Drain and the World

CCTV: Ukrainian intelligence officer shot dead in Kyiv assassination

Trump ‘very disappointed’ in Putin as he vows to send Ukraine Patriot missiles ahead of meeting with NATO boss

Search ends for missing crew of ship sunk by Houthis in Red Sea

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump to send Patriot missiles to Kyiv because Putin ‘bombs everybody’

I’m 47 and only have my workplace pension. What else should I do for retirement?

If Trump Is Neither Hawk nor Dove, What Is He?

At least 30 dead, 100 injured, in clashes between armed groups, say Syrian officials

Lions pounce on Elks 32-14 for second straight win

Spain rocked by 'migrant riots' as far-right groups clash with North Africans

Baby boy dies after drowning in lake as police investigate the 'unexplained' death

It’s Paradise Lost as Climate Change Remakes Europe’s Summers

Amber alerts set to lift as weather begins to cool