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Devastating wildfires engulf historic Grand Canyon Lodge, leading to lodge destruction, trail closures, and large-scale evacuations. Two prominent national parks currently endure "intense and erratic" wildfire threats.

Massive wildfires are ravaging the Grand Canyon and Colorado's Black Canyon

Fire demolishes Historic Grand Canyon Lodge, forcing trail closures; peril escalates as two...
Fire demolishes Historic Grand Canyon Lodge, forcing trail closures; peril escalates as two national parks face intense, unpredictable wildfire threats

Devastating wildfires engulf historic Grand Canyon Lodge, leading to lodge destruction, trail closures, and large-scale evacuations. Two prominent national parks currently endure "intense and erratic" wildfire threats.

**Wildfires Ravage Grand Canyon and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks**

Two significant wildfires, the Dragon Bravo Fire and the White Sage Fire, are currently burning in Grand Canyon National Park, causing devastation and evacuations.

**Grand Canyon National Park**

The Dragon Bravo Fire, which started on July 4 due to a lightning strike, has been burning out of control since. The fire has destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, a visitor center, a water treatment facility, and numerous other structures, resulting in a chlorine gas leak and forcing evacuations. The North Rim of the park is currently closed, and the popular North Rim is expected to remain closed for the remainder of the 2025 season.

The Park Service initially allowed the Dragon Bravo Fire to burn as a controlled fire to benefit the ecosystem, but extreme heat and wind conditions caused it to quickly grow out of control. All inner canyon corridor trails and campgrounds, including the North Kaibab Trail, South Kaibab Trail, Phantom Ranch, and Bright Angel Trail, are closed until further notice.

**Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park**

As of the latest information, there are no reported wildfires specifically at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. However, the park is currently closed and being evacuated due to a fire on the South Rim, which began on July 10 as a result of a lightning strike. Smoke from the South Rim fire has reached Silverton over the weekend.

**Wildfire Safety**

If you are living or recreating near an area affected by wildfires, it is essential to read articles on wildfire safety and wildfire smoke before going outside. An air quality alert remains in effect for all of western Colorado due to the South Rim fire.

The original Grand Canyon Lodge, completed at Bright Angel Point in 1928 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, was rebuilt using much of the original stonework. Unfortunately, the lodge was destroyed in the Dragon Bravo Fire. No further information regarding the impact on trails or campgrounds was provided in this paragraph, nor was there any information regarding the historical significance of any structures lost in the fire.

The Dragon Bravo Fire has expanded by a further 500 acres as of July 13, and it is currently burning at nearly 4,000 acres. Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency on July 10 for the South Rim fire.

For the most current information on wildfires in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, it would be best to check the official park website or regional fire updates.

  1. The devastation of the Dragon Bravo Fire in Grand Canyon National Park highlights the need for more research and implementation of effective environmental science strategies to combat the escalating issue of climate-change-induced wildfires.
  2. As the White Sage Fire continues to burn in the Grand Canyon National Park, contrasting political views fuel debates on whether war-and-conflicts funding should be redirected to combat environmental threats like this one.
  3. Amidst ongoing wildfires in both Grand Canyon and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks, general news outlets should be providing frequent updates on the affected areas, including the latest on trail closures, smoke advisories, and the impact on surrounding communities.

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