Fire engulfs Grand Canyon skies: Spread accelerates - Fire enshrouds Grand Canyon: Spread of the blaze
Wildfire Ravages Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim
A wildfire, known as the "Dragon Bravo Fire," is currently burning in the Grand Canyon National Park on the U.S. West Coast. The fire, which started on July 4, 2025, due to a lightning strike, has spread to an area of over 13,662 acres, roughly the size of the city of Düsseldorf.
As of late July 2025, the fire is exhibiting "extreme fire behavior" and is currently 18% contained. Significant portions of the area, including historic and natural landmarks such as Bright Angel Creek watershed and surrounding watersheds, have been impacted, with 86.3% of Bright Angel Creek watershed burned.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park is closed for the entire 2025 season due to damage and losses caused by the Dragon Bravo Fire. This closure affects access to historic lodges and tourist areas on the North Rim, disrupting visitation and impacting the park's infrastructure. The closure is expected to remain through the rest of the year.
Visitors are warned to exercise extreme caution because burned areas are now more susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows during the monsoon season in affected watersheds.
No detailed updates on damage to specific historic lodges have been reported, but the closure implies significant impact on visitor facilities. Access routes such as U.S. Route 89A have reopened, but Grand Canyon Highway remains affected.
Around 1,000 personnel are reportedly battling the fire, which continues to burn largely uncontrolled. Dry conditions, strong winds, and rough terrain are making the firefighting efforts difficult.
U.S. meteorologists have issued a warning of extreme heat in the area, with temperatures of 38 to 45 degrees Celsius expected until Wednesday. This added heat could exacerbate the fire conditions.
U.S. media are reporting on the ongoing wildfire and its impact on the historic lodges and buildings in the park. The wildfire has already destroyed another historic lodge, the Grand Canyon Lodge at the north rim of the park, and threatens a historic lodge in the park, the Kaibab Lodge, which has existed for 99 years. Visitors are unable to stay or dine at the Kaibab Lodge due to the wildfire.
For the latest information and official updates, emergency contact is available via the Grand Canyon National Park fire information line and social media channels. It is advised for anyone planning to visit the park to stay updated on the fire's progress and any changes in park status.
[1] Grand Canyon National Park Fire Information [2] InciWeb: Dragon Bravo Fire [3] National Interagency Fire Center [4] Arizona Daily Sun [5] CNN
- The Commission's proposal for a directive on environmental protection could potentially include strategies for mitigating wildfires like the Dragon Bravo Fire in national parks, a topic that has recently been in the news due to its impact on the Grand Canyon National Park.
- As the Dragon Bravo Fire continues to burn, environmental scientists are closely monitoring its effects on the Grand Canyon's ecosystem, with concern over potential long-term impacts on the park's watersheds and wildlife.
- Alongside coverage of the Dragon Bravo Fire's impact on the Grand Canyon's historic lodges and visitor infrastructure, crime-and-justice and general-news outlets are reporting increased concerns about weather patterns and the role climate change could play in exacerbating future wildfires.
