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2w ago

Dragon Bravo Wildfire Largely Contained After North Rim’s Historic Lodge Is Destroyed

Political pressure mounts for an independent review of the National Park Service’s choice to treat the blaze as a controlled burn during peak summer heat.

Foto: @GrandCanyonNPS en X.
A firefighter stands near smoldering debris amid the charred remains of a burned structure near the Grand Canyon Lodge in Arizona, U.S. July 13, 2025. National Park Service/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.
Incendio forestal al borde Norte del Gran Cañón destruye albergue histórico y se propaga rápidamente. La gobernadora Katie Hobbs pide rendición de cuentas al Servicio de Parques Nacionales. | Crédito: AP/IG @govhobbs
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Overview

  • Lightning on July 4 sparked the Dragon Bravo Fire, which has consumed over 2,300 hectares and destroyed the 1927 Grand Canyon Lodge along with dozens of support structures.
  • Fire crews abandoned an initial fuel-removal confinement strategy and moved to aggressive suppression after winds gusting up to 40 mph and a chlorine leak hampered aerial operations.
  • All visitors and staff were safely evacuated and the North Rim remains closed for the season as teams work to snuff out lingering hotspots.
  • Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego have asked Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to explain why the National Park Service initially confined the fire instead of mounting an immediate full suppression effort.
  • The incident highlights mounting wildfire risks across the West, fueled by extreme heat, prolonged drought, park service staffing shortfalls and federal budget cuts.