A wildfire has tragically consumed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim, a key landmark of Grand Canyon National Park, according to officials on July 13. The destruction comes amid growing concerns over public safety, air quality, and the extensive damage caused by the blaze.
The wildfire, which has been burning for days, has already ravaged over 45,000 acres of land, according to federal and state fire agencies. The White Sage and Dragon Bravo wildfires, located about 30 miles apart, have been the primary culprits. On the morning of July 13, the White Sage Fire was recorded at 40,126 acres and continues to spread, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds.
The Grand Canyon Lodge, which opened in 1937 and was the only hotel on the North Rim of the park, was destroyed. Built to accommodate visitors traveling via the Union Pacific Railroad, the lodge was a significant part of the park’s history and a National Historic Landmark since 1987. Its limestone façade and ponderosa pine beams, sourced from the nearby area, added to the iconic design of the structure, which included 23 deluxe cabins, over 90 regular cabins, a deli, coffee shop, saloon, post office, and gift shop.
The fire also caused extensive damage to between 50 to 80 structures in the area, leading park officials to close the inner canyon, including Phantom Ranch, and the popular hiking trails leading down. The closure was prompted by a chlorine gas leak caused by the fire damaging a water treatment facility. Chlorine gas, which is heavier than air, can settle in the lower parts of the canyon, posing serious health risks. This prevented firefighting personnel from safely conducting operations and forced the evacuation of nearby areas, including the Kaibab Plateau from the Utah-Arizona border down to the Grand Canyon.
Highway 89A was closed at Fredonia and Bitter Springs, and multiple hiking trails, including the North and South Kaibab Trails and Bright Angel Trail, were also closed. Over 500 firefighters were assigned to combat the White Sage Fire, while 70 personnel worked to contain the Dragon Bravo Fire, which had spread to 5,000 acres. Both fires remained at 0% containment as of the latest update.
The fire’s swift movement was exacerbated by the challenging weather conditions, including high winds and low humidity, that turned the area into an inferno. A thunderstorm that struck on the evening of July 9 sparked the White Sage Fire, which quickly grew in size due to the dry conditions and the type of vegetation present, including grass, shrubs, and pinyon-juniper trees.
Aramark, the company that operated the lodge, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. “We are devastated by the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous other historic buildings at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim,” said spokesperson Debbie Albert. “We are grateful that all of our employees and guests have been safely evacuated, and we join the National Park Service in mourning the loss of these iconic and beloved structures.”
The Grand Canyon Lodge has a long and storied history, dating back to the 1920s when the original lodge was destroyed in a fire in 1932. That fire spread rapidly through the structure, forcing staff to flee in the early morning hours. The current lodge was rebuilt on the same foundation, preserving elements of the original design while updating the structure to meet modern standards.
The fires, which are still raging, have left the North Rim closed to visitors, and concerns about the fire’s impact on the region’s fragile ecosystem continue to grow. With no immediate resolution in sight, the fires pose a significant threat to both the park’s cultural heritage and the safety of the people in the surrounding areas. The community is now bracing for what’s next, as firefighting crews work tirelessly to contain the blazes and prevent further destruction.
