A controlled burn gone wrong has had devastating consequences on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Park officials announced a season-long closure of the North Rim and have closed the inner canyon until further notice.
The Dragon Bravo Fire began as a lightning-caused fire on July 4, but the National Park Service opted to let it continue as a controlled burn within a defined area to reduce fuel and support new growth. On July 11, high winds blew in, rapidly expanding the fire by 500 acres. By the next morning, the fire spanned 5,000 acres.
All North Rim visitors and staff were already evacuated on July 10 due to the White Sage Fire burning in Jacob Lake. When the Dragon Brave fire reached the visitor area, the flames consumed the historic lodge, visitor cabins, and between 50 and 80 other structures on the North Rim, according to park officials.
Initially, aerial bucket drops were conducted to slow fire movement near the Grand Canyon Lodge and Transept Canyon. But after the fire reached a water treatment facility and created a chlorine gas leak, aerial retardant was no longer feasible and firefighting personnel were evacuated.
Because chlorine gas sinks below the air, the leak posed a threat to the inner Grand Canyon, and visitors have been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and all inner trails and campgrounds. These facilities and trails are closed until further notice.
The National Park Service announced that the North Rim will be closed for the remainder of the season due to continued active fire behavior and ongoing risks to personnel and infrastructure.
