A fast-moving wildfire has devastated a historic lodge on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, according to officials from the national park. The Bravo Dragon fire has started (originally lightning-caused on July 4). There, too, it has quickly progressed, damaging the lodge and imperiling other nearby buildings. By Sunday evening, fire crews were focusing on developed plans of action. Their goal is to establish buffer zones that will slow or stop the fire’s advance when it comes tumbling downhill into the Vermilion Cliffs area.
The White Sage fire started just minutes after a dry thunderstorm passed through on July 9. In response, officials have issued large-scale evacuations across the North Rim and within the surrounding community of Jacob Lake. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has ordered evacuations for the full length of the county. They’re begging their fellow residents to get out as soon as possible. As fire continued to lurch ever closer, the North Rim had already been evacuated the prior Thursday.
Combined, the Bravo Dragon fire and White Sage fire have burned more than 45,000 acres so far. Today firefighters began reporting good success, as fire lines on the White Sage fire continue to hold. Containment efforts are beginning to bear fruit. The future is still troubling, especially as the Bravo Dragon fire keeps spreading.
These fires swept through the state, leaving tragic destruction in their path. To compound these issues, the burning of a water treatment plant released millions of pounds of chlorine gas into the atmosphere. This dangerous condition forced emergency responders as well as hikers from the inner canyon to safety and out of harm’s way.
Like all national parks, Grand Canyon National Park receives over 6 million visitors a year, with the majority choosing the more developed, tourist-friendly South Rim. The current wildfires are a stark reminder of the hazard that the natural world can pose. This is particularly the case during dry weather and throughout the course of a thunderstorm. Public health Protective measures Authorities are still watching both wildfires with a hawk eye while they carry out emergency precautions to save lives and property.