Posted on 07/13/2025 3:02:35 PM PDT by hiho hiho
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — A historic lodge on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim has been destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire, the park said Sunday.
The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keeble told park residents, staff and others in a meeting Sunday morning.
He said the visitor center, the gas station, a waste water treatment plant, an administrative building and some employee housing also were lost.
Two wildfires are burning at or near the North Rim, known as the White Sage Fire and the Bravo Dragon fire. The latter is the one that impacted the lodge and other structures. The park initially was managing it as a controlled burn but then shifted to suppression as it rapidly grew, fire officials said.
Millions of people visit Grand Canyon National Park annually, with most going to the more popular South Rim. The North Rim is open seasonally. It was evacuated last Thursday because of wildfire.
The burning of the waste water treatment plant resulted in the release of chlorine gas that prompted the evacuation of firefighters and hikers from the inner canyon, park officials said Sunday. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can quickly settle into lower elevations such as the inner canyon, posing a health risk.
Bummer. Never got to stay there. Too many ferrigners.
More history lost to mismanagement
Don’t encourage them!
“Controlled burn” that got out of control and became a “wildfire.”
““Controlled burn” that got out of control and became a “wildfire.”
Well that’s a career ender for some one or two.
Yeah you're supposed to control a controlled burn no?
I have stayed there and it was a beautiful building.
Just looked at pictures. It was glorious
I hope they had time to save some of the art and furnishings. Even the trophy heads were interesting. I doubt if they had enough time for the bigger things, like chandeliers or rugs.
Bummer.
I got to stay there once. pretty good.
Last time I was there, about a year ago, the lodge was closed because they lost water. Pipes froze in winter, and, it took them forever to fix it.
Looks like they do not need that water anymore.
North Rim was never too busy. It was like South Rim used to be. Few people, here and there, but no crowds!
I cannot even go to South Rim, it is just so crowded now.
This is yet another fire in National Park!
By law, they cannot cut trees or do any forest management in National Parks.
So the Nature will clean itself by the Nature own way - fire!
From CNN:
... “ Two wildfires are burning at or near the North Rim, known as the White Sage Fire and the Dragon Bravo Fire. The latter is the one that impacted the lodge and other structures. The park initially was managing it as a controlled burn but then shifted to suppression as it rapidly grew to 7.8 square miles because of hot temperatures, low humidity and wind, fire officials said.” ...
do they know what they’re doing??
No.
“”””Bravo Dragon fire. The latter is the one that impacted the lodge and other structures. The park initially was managing it as a controlled burn but then shifted to suppression as it rapidly grew, fire officials said.””””
A controlled burn in the midst of a hot and dry summer makes absolutely no sense to we FReepers that still have a bit of common sense.
Ok, what are the odds that a Park Service supervisor gets fired over this stupid move??????
Sad about the lodge. There’s another one there, El Tovar.
I’ve flown over Grand Canyon many times and enjoyed looking down at it.. Never wabted to go to such a hot, dry place.
“”””““Controlled burn” that got out of control and became a “wildfire.”
Well that’s a career ender for some one or two.”””
What better time and place for a controlled burn than Arizona in July?
But probably not for the actual decision makers.
National Park Service hasn’t taken the page down yet. Found out the lodge was built in collaboration with the Union Pacific Railroad in 1927-28.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.