Jul 16, 2025 - Science

Photos: Destructive wildfire threatens Grand Canyon's North Rim

Rebecca Falconer

Smoke from nearby wildfires settles into the Grand Canyon on July 15, 2025 in Grand Canyon, Arizona. — Smoke from nearby wildfires settles into the Grand Canyon on July 15 in Grand Canyon, Arizona. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Firefighters in Arizona were tackling two out-of-control wildfires in extreme heat on Tuesday — including one at the Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim that's forced evacuations, road closures and razed a historic lodge and other structures.

The big picture: The Dragon Bravo Fire that destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge and prompted parts of the park to close had grown to an estimated 8,570 acres and the White Sage Fire to nearly 52,000 acres by Tuesday evening.

A sign near the Grand Canyon National Park warns of fire danger on July 15, 2025 near Grand Canyon, Arizona. — A sign near the Grand Canyon National Park on July 15 warning of wildfires that were sparked by lightning strikes in the area combined with strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

A firefighter stands near smoldering debris and active flames amid the charred remains of burned structures near the Grand Canyon Lodge at Grand Canyon National Park on July 13, 2025. — Burned structures near the Grand Canyon Lodge on July 13. RobRoy Williams, a operations section chief in the region, said at a briefing that as the area transitioned into the monsoonal time of year, thunderstorms it produces can result in "very strong outflow, gusty winds" — meaning firefighters faced "a very complex environment" in the Dragon Bravo Fire. Photo: Grand Canyon National Park via Getty Images

Two firefighters stand silhouetted against an intense orange-red sky as the Dragon Bravo Fire burns through a forested area at night, with flames and smoke rising in the background at Grand Canyon National Park on July 12, 2025. — Two firefighters near the Dragon Bravo Fire at Grand Canyon National Park on July 12. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has called for an investigation into the handling of the blaze and plans to meet with leaders from the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior, her office has said. Photo: Grand Canyon National Park via Getty Images

The Dragon Bravo Fire is seen at Grand Canyon National Park on July 11, 2025. — The Dragon Bravo Fire at Grand Canyon National Park on July 11 after mandatory evacuation orders were issued earlier for North Rim residents. Photo: Grand Canyon National Park via Getty Images

Firefighters and emergency vehicles are positioned in front of the Dragon Bravo Fire, with intense flames and thick smoke at Grand Canyon National Park on July 10, 2025. — Firefighters and emergency vehicles are positioned in front of the Dragon Bravo Fire at Grand Canyon National Park on July 10. Climate change is increasing the likelihood and severity of record wildfires, research shows. Photo: Grand Canyon National Park via Getty Images

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Photos: Destructive wildfire threatens Grand Canyon's North Rim

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