Latest news with #DragonBravoFire
Newsweek
39 minutes ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Dragon Bravo Fire Map: Blaze Grows to 71,000 Acres
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Dragon Bravo fire has grown by nearly 30,000 acres in the span of three days as record-low humidities create challenging conditions and decrease the containment firefighters have secured over the past three weeks the flames have been burning. Why It Matters A lightning strike ignited the Dragon Bravo fire in the Grand Canyon's North Rim on July 4. In the three weeks the fire has been burning, there have been no injuries or fatalities, although 100 structures in the North Rim have been destroyed, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. The fire prompted National Park Service (NPS) officials to close the North Rim entrance for the season. There have been 1,000 evacuees. At any one time, 1,000 firefighters are combatting the flames. What to Know As of the most recent update, the fire is at 71,000 acres in size and only 9 percent contained. On Sunday, the fire's size was 44,429 acres and it was 26 percent contained. A map shows the boundary for the Dragon Bravo Fire burning in the Grand Canyon's North Rim. A map shows the boundary for the Dragon Bravo Fire burning in the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Inciweb "Progress on the Dragon Bravo Fire is moving in the negative direction - the fire saw nearly 20,000 acres of growth overnight," KUTV2 News reporter Olivia Kelleher posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday. "The containment was downgraded from 26% to 13% and then again to 9% a few moments ago." Southwest Area Incident Management Team Public Information Officer Lisa Jennings told Newsweek that weather is posing the biggest challenge to firefighters. As historically dry conditions contribute to the fire's rapid growth, firefighters have been unable to keep up with containment. "With the huge amount of fire activity over the past several days, we have had to reduce our containment because of the growth of the fire," Jennings told Newsweek. "As the fire grows in size, we have not been able to increase our containment at the same pace the fire is growing." Jennings was unable to provide an estimate on when the fire might be completely contained. What People Are Saying Jennings told Newsweek: "This is the driest it has ever been for the month of July. It just keeps breaking those records day after day." The most recent fire update said: "The strategy for fighting this fire remains full suppression. Firefighter and public safety remain top priorities. Unpredictable fire behavior requires crews to remain aware of and quickly respond to changes in their situation. Firefighters will continue their operations on the fire's flanks to protect values at risk in the area. Efforts are being made to keep the fire away from State Route 67." What Happens Next Fire suppression efforts will continue. Some light rain showers were expected on Tuesday, but fire officials warned significant precipitation wasn't likely.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Highway and inn reopen as fire near Grand Canyon further controlled
One long-burning wildfire north of the Grand Canyon was substantially contained as of July 26, with a major highway reopening and an inn that had been evacuated once again welcoming guests. But an even older fire closer to the canyon's edge, which already destroyed historic structures in the developed North Rim area of Grand Canyon National Park, was threatening another tourist spot. Together, the pair of lightning-caused fires has scorched over 94,000 acres. The White Sage Fire, which started July 9, has spread across 58,985 acres of the northern Kaibab National Forest and was 81% contained, according to the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 6. The east-west highway of U.S. Route 89A from Bitter Springs to Fredonia had reopened to the public, but officials warned that smoke would still be visible from the freeway. Nearby State Route 67, which runs north-south from Jacob Lake to the developed area of the North Rim, remained closed, according to the Great Basin team. On all but the difficult-to-access east side of the fire, crews have already planted seeds to restore the environment and repaired fences, according to the Great Basin team. The Great Basin team planned to hand the fire over to the smaller Color Country Team 2, further signifying the fire was on a path toward total containment. Crews projected July 30 as the earliest possible date for the fire's total containment, according to InciWeb, a federal wildfire tracking system. The nearby Jacob Lake Inn, which had temporarily closed due to the fire, reopened as of July 24, according to a Facebook post. About 30 miles to the south, the Dragon Bravo Fire, which started July 4 and destroyed much of the North Rim tourist hub inside Grand Canyon National Park, had grown to 35,456 acres and was 26% contained, according to the Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team 4. Crews saw gusty winds increase fire activity on July 25, which spread the fire to the north and intensified the existing blaze on the west side, according to the Southwest team. The team said "record dry conditions" meant firefighters would need to reinforce perimeter lines and prepare for potential structure protection near the Kaibab Lodge, a complex of tourist cabins about 5 miles north of the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park off SR 67. Aircraft were ready for an increase in fire activity, especially on the canyon edges, where the fire could spread into grass and sagebrush at lower elevations, according to the management team. The Kaibab Lodge took to Facebook around 4 p.m. to share a photo of dense smoke not far from the property. "The Dragon Bravo Fire is rapidly approaching Kaibab Lodge," the post said. "Please keep the firefighters, lodge staff, and the surrounding community in your thoughts." Over 1,300 firefighters remained on the scene of the two fires, officials said. Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports breaking news for The Arizona Republic and Email him at: rcovarrubias@ and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ. (This article was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Highway and inn reopen as fire near Grand Canyon controlled Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfires in northern Arizona burn over 103,000 acres; Kaibab Lodge still safe
As one of the two major wildfires burning in northern Arizona inched closer to total containment, the other burning on the Grand Canyon's North Rim grew by over 9,000 acres in one day, according to fire command officials. The Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires continued to engulf northern Arizona, burning more than 100,000 acres combined since starting earlier in the month, as of July 27. The small Oak Point Fire that started south of the White Sage Fire burn area was 100% contained at 85 acres, according to federal wildfire tracker InciWeb. Here's everything to know about the wildfires that were still burning. Dragon Bravo Fire continues to grow After lightning caused the fire on July 4, the Dragon Bravo Fire grew to 44,429 acres by July 27, a jump of 8,960 acres from the day before, according to the Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team 4. The fire was 26% contained with 1,048 people assigned to fight the fire, according to the southwest team. "Today's operation will focus on protecting values at risk and assessment of new contingency lines and preparing for changes in fire behavior," the southwest team wrote in an update on InciWeb. The fire's northeastern section remained the most active, while also burning into previous fire scars in the area. The Grand Canyon Lodge was destroyed in the fire on July 12. The blaze was also putting other nearby historic structures at risk, including the Kaibab Lodge, located on the north side of the fire along the closed State Route 67. Crews were actively staged in and around the lodge, providing critical structure protection, according to Larry Innes, owner of the lodge. Crews had already prepared other structures in the House Rock area, the southwest team said. Much of the growth of the Dragon Bravo Fire was attributed to the third consecutive day of dry, windy weather that aggravated the fire, according to the team. White Sage Fire inches toward containment Further north in the Kaibab National Forest, the White Sage Fire continued to show positive signs of containment, the Color Country Team 2 said. The team assumed command of firefighting efforts on July 26, according to InciWeb. The fire had spread to 59,065 acres and was 83% contained. The size of the crews fighting the fire was cut in half from the day before, down to 135 personnel, according to the team. The fire started July 9 and was estimated to be contained by July 30, according to InciWeb. Active suppression efforts remained ongoing. State Route 89A had reopened, but SR 67 remained closed, according to InciWeb. The Arizona Bureau of Land Management recalled a closure near Vermilion Cliffs National Monument due to decreased fire activity, the team said. Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports breaking news for The Arizona Republic and Email him at: rcovarrubias@ and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Latest on Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires in northern Arizona
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
See it: Charred remains of historic Grand Canyon Lodge after wildfire rips through North Rim
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – Officials recently shared photos showing the destruction caused by a wildfire burning through the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The Dragon Bravo Fire began on July 4 when a lightning strike ignited flames within the Arizona park. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire had burned over 13,600 acres and is 18% contained. Photos reveal the extent of the damage caused by the Dragon Bravo Fire, particularly around the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and nearby cabins on Bright Angel Point. In one photo, charred stairs that once brought guests to the entrance of the North Rim Visitor Center now lead to an empty shell surrounded by stone columns of what used to hold up the structure. Another shows an American flag now draped over the burned remnants of the Grand Canyon Lodge. Somehow, two large rocking chairs out in front of the Grand Canyon Lodge survived, along with two of the deluxe cabins that flanked the main lodge. Originally built in 1928 and then again in 1937 after a fire, the lodge was destroyed after the Dragon Bravo Fire exhibited extreme and volatile fire behavior, according to the National Park Service. This led to the fire exploding in size on July 12, burning down many article source: See it: Charred remains of historic Grand Canyon Lodge after wildfire rips through North Rim
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
World Court is poised to mark the future course of climate litigation
FILE PHOTO: The Dragon Bravo Fire burns on the northern rim as seen from Grandeur Point on the southern rim of Grand Canyon, Arizona, U.S. July 14, 2025. REUTERS/David Swanson/File Photo THE HAGUE - The United Nations' highest court will deliver an opinion on Wednesday that is likely to determine the course of future climate action across the world. Known as an advisory opinion, the deliberation of the 15 judges of the International Court of Justice in The Hague is legally non-binding. It nevertheless carries legal and political weight and future climate cases would be unable to ignore it, legal experts say. 'The advisory opinion is probably the most consequential in the history of the court because it clarifies international law obligations to avoid catastrophic harm that would imperil the survival of humankind," said Payam Akhavan, an international law professor. In two weeks of hearings last December at the ICJ, also known as the World Court, Akhavan represented low-lying, small island states that face an existential threat from rising sea levels. In all, over a hundred states and international organisations gave their views on the two questions the U.N. General Assembly had asked the judges to consider. They were: what are countries' obligations under international law to protect the climate from greenhouse gas emissions; and what are the legal consequences for countries that harm the climate system? Wealthy countries of the Global North told the judges that existing climate treaties, including the 2015 Paris Agreement, which are largely non-binding, should be the basis for deciding their responsibilities. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 World Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines, down from 20% Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore 2 foreigners arrested for shop theft at Changi Airport Opinion Most companies onboard wrong – here's how to get it right Sport AC Milan's Rafael Leao gives Singapore fan an unforgettable birthday Life Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath's bat-biting frontman turned reality TV star, dies aged 76 Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving Developing nations and small island states argued for stronger measures, in some cases legally binding, to curb emissions and for the biggest emitters of climate-warming greenhouse gases to provide financial aid. PARIS AGREEMENT AND AN UPSURGE IN LITIGATION In 2015, at the conclusion of U.N. talks in Paris, more than 190 countries committed to pursue efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). The agreement has failed to curb the growth of global greenhouse gas emissions. Late last year, in the most recent "Emissions Gap Report," which takes stock of countries' promises to tackle climate change compared with what is needed, the U.N said that current climate policies will result in global warming of more than 3 C (5.4 F) above pre-industrial levels by 2100. As campaigners seek to hold companies and governments to account, climate‑related litigation has intensified, with nearly 3,000 cases filed across almost 60 countries, according to June figures from London's Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. So far, the results have been mixed. A German court in May threw out a case between a Peruvian farmer and German energy giant RWE, but his lawyers and environmentalists said the case, which dragged on for a decade, was a still victory for climate cases that could spur similar lawsuits. Earlier this month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which holds jurisdiction over 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries, said in another advisory opinion its members must cooperate to tackle climate change. Campaigners say Wednesday's court opinion should be a turning point and that, even if the ruling itself is advisory, it should provide for the determination that U.N. member states have broken the international law they have signed up to uphold. "The court can affirm that climate inaction, especially by major emitters, is not merely a policy failure but a breach of international law," said Fijian Vishal Prasad, one of the law students that lobbied the government of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean to bring the case to the ICJ. Although it is theoretically possible to ignore an ICJ ruling, lawyers say countries are typically reluctant to do so. "This opinion is applying binding international law, which countries have already committed to. National and regional courts will be looking to this opinion as a persuasive authority and this will inform judgments with binding consequences under their own legal systems," Joie Chowdhury, senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law, said. The court will start reading out its opinion at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT). REUTERS
