Forest fire destroys historic Grand Canyon lodge

RTHK

3 days ago

Forest fire destroys historic Grand Canyon lodge
The Dragon Bravo Fire looms large for firefighters in Grand Canyon, Arizona. Photo: Reuters
A fast-moving wildfire destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of other structures on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, forcing officials to close access to that area for the season, the park said.
The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents, staff and others in a meeting early on Sunday.
He said the visitor center, the gas station, a waste water treatment plant, an administrative building and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost.
'Numerous' historic cabins in the area also were destroyed, the park said.
Two wildfires are burning at or near the North Rim, known as the White Sage Fire and the Dragon Bravo Fire. The latter is the one that impacted the lodge and other structures.
Started by lightning on July 4, the Dragon Bravo Fire was initially managed by authorities with a 'confine and contain' strategy to clear fuel sources. They shifted to aggressive suppression a week later as it rapidly grew to 20 square kilometers because of hot temperatures, low humidity and strong wind gusts, fire officials said.
No injuries have been reported.
Arizona governor Katie Hobbs called on the federal government late on Sunday to investigate the National Park Service's response to the wildfire.
'They must first take aggressive action to end the wildfire and prevent further damage,' she said in a post on X. 'But Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park.'
Millions of people visit the park annually, with most going to the more popular South Rim. The North Rim is open seasonally. It was evacuated last Thursday because of wildfire, and will remain closed for the rest of the season.
Firefighters at the North Rim and hikers in the inner canyon were evacuated over the weekend.
The park said along with the fire risk, they could potentially be exposed to chlorine gas after the treatment plant burned. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can lead to blurred vision, irritation or respiratory problems if high amounts of it are breathed in, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Rafters on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon also were told to bypass Phantom Ranch, which has a set of cabins and dormitories along the river.
The Grand Canyon Lodge was often the first prominent feature that visitors see, even before viewing the canyon. A highway ends at the lodge, which was known for its sloped roof, huge ponderosa beams and massive limestone facade. By walking across the lobby and descending a stairwell, visitors could get their first view of the Grand Canyon shining through windows across the 'Sun Room'. (AP)