Historic hotel engulfed in flames at the Grand Canyon, leaving it in ruins - Historic Hotel Engulfs in Flames at the Grand Canyon - Destruction of a Landmark
The Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim is currently closed to visitors until October 15, 2022, due to a wildfire that has been ravaging the area. The fire, known as the Dragon Bravo Fire, was sparked by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm on July 4 and has grown rapidly, exhibiting extreme and volatile behavior.
The Dragon Bravo Fire has already caused significant damage to the park's infrastructure. Over 70 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, a visitor centre, cabins, employee housing, and a wastewater treatment plant, have been destroyed. The destruction of the water treatment facility led to a chlorine gas leak, prompting evacuation efforts.
The wildfire has also impacted visitor access to the North Rim. Hikers and firefighters were evacuated from the area due to concerns about the fire and chlorine gas exposure. Rafters on the Colorado River were advised to bypass Phantom Ranch. Access to the North Rim has been closed for the remainder of the 2022 season due to the fire's impact and ongoing suppression efforts.
The National Park Service initially employed a "confine and contain" strategy but shifted to aggressive suppression as the fire grew out of control. This decision has been scrutinised, with Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs calling for a federal investigation into the National Park Service's handling of the fire. Governor Hobbs has stated that Arizonans deserve answers as to why the fire was able to ravage the Grand Canyon National Park.
The Grand Canyon, one of the world's greatest natural wonders, was formed as the Colorado River eroded through layers of red sandstone and other rock formations over millions of years, leaving a canyon up to 30 kilometers wide and over 1.6 kilometers deep. The park attracts nearly five million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.
Another wildfire is raging in the Kaibab National Forest, approximately 50 kilometers north of the North Rim fire in the Grand Canyon National Park. It is not stated whether any evacuations have occurred due to this fire. The region faces additional challenges this year in battling the fires due to significant cuts to funding and personnel at the national forest service, national parks, weather service, and disaster relief under President Donald Trump's administration.
[1] National Park Service. (2022). Grand Canyon National Park Service. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm [2] Arizona Governor's Office. (2022). Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. Retrieved from https://azgovernor.gov/ [3] The Associated Press. (2022). Grand Canyon wildfire prompts evacuations, closes park's North Rim. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/grand-canyon-wildfire-evacuations-north-rim-park-closures-arizona-948783c72c18877e1f1a3a890857e582 [4] CNN. (2022). Grand Canyon wildfire prompts evacuations, closes park's North Rim. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/16/us/grand-canyon-wildfire-evacuations-nc/index.html
The Dragon Bravo Fire presents an opportunity for environmental-science researchers to study the impact of wildfires on the Grand Canyon's ecology, as the wildfire and subsequent evacuations have disrupted the natural landscape and human activities, such as sports like hiking and rafting. The Commission, which has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of animals and the environment, might consider incorporating research findings from the Grand Canyon wildfire into its recommendations for future forest management and disaster-response strategies.
