The North Rim is burning — literally.
A massive wildfire dubbed the Dragon Bravo Fire has devoured over 50 buildings, including the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge, the only place to stay inside the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The lodge — in service since the 1930s — is now rubble.
The North Rim is closed for the rest of the 2025 tourist season.
📍 What’s Happening?
Two major wildfires are tearing through northern Arizona:
Dragon Bravo Fire
White Sage Fire (over 40,000 acres burned in Kaibab National Forest)
Strong winds up to 40mph helped fuel the flames
A chlorine leak at a nearby water plant forced additional evacuations
The lodge, along with up to 80 buildings, is gone
💬 “We are devastated…”
In a statement, Aramark, the company running the Grand Canyon Lodge, said:
“We are devastated by the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge. We are grateful that all employees and guests were safely evacuated.”
No injuries have been reported, thankfully. But the damage is historic.
⚡ What Caused It?
Both fires are believed to be lightning-induced, according to the National Park Service.
🗺️ Can You Still Visit the Grand Canyon?
Yes — but only the South Rim remains open. The North Rim, located 8,000 feet above sea level, is now inaccessible and will stay closed through the season.
Over 5 million people visited the park in 2024, making this closure a huge blow for eco-tourism and nature lovers.
