Grand Canyon Lodge Destroyed: Federal Probe Demanded Over Wildfire Management
Grand Canyon Lodge Destroyed: Federal Probe Demanded Over Wildfire Management
A devastating wildfire has consumed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous other structures on the park’s North Rim, prompting Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to demand a federal investigation into the National Park Service’s handling of the blaze.
The fire, sparked by lightning on July 4th, initially saw park officials implement a “confine and contain” strategy. However, amid scorching temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, the blaze rapidly escalated, growing to nearly 8 square miles and leveling the iconic lodge, cabins, employee housing, and a wastewater treatment plant.
Governor Hobbs expressed outrage, stating on social media, “Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park. The federal government chose to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer.”
The North Rim, which attracts approximately 10% of the Grand Canyon’s annual visitors, has been closed for the remainder of the year. While no injuries have been reported, 50 to 80 structures have been lost. Firefighters faced further challenges, including a chlorine gas leak at the treatment plant, forcing them to pull back from suppression efforts at one point.
This incident highlights broader wildfire concerns across the West, with dozens of uncontained fires burning. The Grand Canyon Lodge, rebuilt in 1937 after an earlier fire, was a beloved landmark known for its unique architecture and sweeping views.
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