Grand Canyon National Park Update on Dragon Bravo Fire

 

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• The fire began from a lightning strike on July 4, 2025, and has since consumed approximately 5,000 acres, with 0% containment as of July 13 MySA+15Wikipedia+15Axios+15.

• Overnight on July 12, the fire grew by an additional 500 acres, driven by sustained winds of 20 mph and gusts up to 40 mph National Park Service.

• Tragically, the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, along with between 50 and 80 other structures—including cabins, administrative buildings, a visitor center, employee housing, and a gas station—were destroyed YouTube+10San Francisco Chronicle+10AP News+10.

• A water treatment facility was also damaged, causing a chlorine gas leak on July 12 at around 3:30 p.m. Fire crews and hikers were evacuated from nearby inner canyon areas (North Kaibab, Phantom Ranch, South Kaibab Trail) as a precaution CBS News+7National Park Service+7The Wall Street Journal+7.

• Despite the devastation, no injuries or fatalities have been reported; everyone in the North Rim area was evacuated safely MySA+7National Park Service+7CBS News+7.

• The National Park Service has switched to a full suppression strategy, implementing aerial bucket drops near containment zones. However, the proximity of the chlorine leak has limited retardant use Al Jazeera+6National Park Service+6The Washington Post+6.

• As a result, the North Rim remains closed for the remainder of the 2025 season, including inner canyon trails and Phantom Ranch. The South Rim is still open to visitors CBS News+6The Washington Post+6The Wall Street Journal+6.

What’s driving the fire’s behavior?

• A combination of hot temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds (up to 40 mph) has made it “very active” and unpredictable AP News+3National Park Service+3San Francisco Chronicle+3.

What’s next?

• Firefighters continue suppression efforts like retardant drops (especially on the east side) and holding strategic fire lines.

• Authorities aim to protect personnel, remaining infrastructure, and cultural resources in highly volatile conditions MySA+4National Park Service+4San Francisco Chronicle+4.

• Investigations have been requested by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, focusing on decisions to treat this blaze as a controlled burn given extreme summer weather MySA+4Axios+4The Washington Post+4.