The Dragon Bravo Fire at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park has intensified, destroying the historic Grand Canyon Lodge as well as between 50-80 structures.
On July 12, at approximately 10:30 p.m., fire activity intensified rapidly, fueled by sustained winds of 20 mph and gusts reaching up to 40 mph.
On July 12, at approximately 3:30 p.m., firefighters responding to the Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park reported that the North Rim water treatment facility had caught fire. It was later confirmed that chlorine gas was released from the treatment facility.
Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can quickly settle into lower elevations such as the inner canyon, posing a health risk. Due to the risk of exposure, park authorities immediately evacuated firefighters from the North Rim and hikers from the inner canyon, and closed access to specific areas within the inner canyon. All river trips were instructed to bypass Phantom Ranch.
Firefighters made significant efforts overnight to slow the fire’s progression under dangerous and fast-changing conditions.
Aerial bucket drops were conducted to slow fire movement near the Grand Canyon Lodge and Transept Canyon. However, the use of aerial retardant was not feasible due to a chlorine gas leak at the water treatment facility, which required the evacuation of firefighting personnel from critical zones nearby.
Preliminary assessments indicate that between 50 to 80 structures have been lost, including NPS administrative buildings and visitor facilities. No injuries or loss of life have been reported, and all staff and residents were successfully evacuated prior to the fire’s escalation.
The fire is being managed with an aggressive full suppression strategy. Fire behavior is still very active, driven by hot temperatures, low relative humidity, and continued strong wind gusts. On July 13, fire managers began ordering retardant drops on the east side of the developed area, including the Roaring Springs drainage, as suppression efforts continue.
With continued active fire behavior and ongoing risks to personnel and infrastructure, the North Rim will remain closed to all visitor access for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Additionally, all inner canyon corridor trails, campgrounds, and associated areas are closed until further notice, including:
Please, no more controlled burns, containment etc during fire season. Only supression.
Beyond sad to lose this beautiful, iconic national park style lodge and associated historical buildings. Best wishes for a thoughtful and speedy recovery.
Prayers for the firefighters…….what a mess. Heat and low humidity make for a very active fire.