Historic Grand Canyon Lodge Lost to Devastating Wildfire

Sat Sep 13 2025 13:40:23 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A historic lodge within the Grand Canyon, a key tourist destination, has been destroyed in a fierce wildfire that resulted in significant evacuations.

A wildfire near the Grand Canyon, known as the Dragon Bravo Fire, has ravaged numerous buildings including the Grand Canyon Lodge, a notable landmark and vital accommodation for visitors. The loss of the lodge—operating since the 1930s—has led to the closure of the North Rim for the rest of the tourist season. The fire, which is one of two current blazes in Arizona, has destroyed between 50 and 80 structures and forced evacuations due to dangerous conditions, including chlorine leaks from a nearby facility.

As of now, officials have reported no injuries, but the situation remains dire with firefighting efforts hampered by high winds reaching up to 40 mph. The destruction comes as the National Park Service indicates the fires were likely ignited by lightning. With the South Rim still accessible, nearly five million tourists visited the Grand Canyon last year, making it a significant part of Arizona's economy and tourism landscape.

The Dragon Bravo Fire has triggered a response from authorities who are diligently working to contain the flames, while citizens and many in the tourism sector express deep concern regarding the ongoing threat to wildlife and infrastructure.