Latest on the Dragon Bravo Fire destroying a Grand Canyon landmark

(NBC, KYMA/KECY) - The Grand Canyon Lodge, a historic fixture of Grand Canyon's North Rim, was destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire over the weekend.

Officials say about 50 other homes and businesses were also lost as the fire continues to spread.

Smokey skies linger over the Grand Canyon, a solemn sign of a devastating fire burning across the North Rim.

"When the smoke cleared, you look where the North Rim Lodge should be and it was gone," said Keaton Vanderploeg, a Grand Canyon tour guide.

The Dragon Bravo Fire has charred over 5,000 acres of federal land, and destroyed dozens of historical buildings in its volatile path, including the Grand Canyon Lodge.

"It's just really devastating," said Lena Fowler, Coconino County Supervisor for District 5.

First built in 1928, the Grand Canyon Lodge sits where the highway ends. It burned down in 1932 and was rebuilt with the same floor plan in 1937.

"It's an icon. It's the American icon that draws people to the region," Fowler expressed.

Since then, this view has been the first stop for most visitors of the North Rim.

"Pretty much anyone alive today, if they've been to the North Rim edge of the canyon, they've experienced going into that lodge, going down the stairs and your first view of the canyon is from in the lodge itself," Vanderploeg remarked.

Now, nine days since lightning ignited the Dragon Bravo Fire, flames are being fueled by hot temperatures, low relative humidity, and strong wind gusts.

Crews are battling the fire on the ground and by air, but not without challenges.

Firefighters were forced to evacuate the area overnight due to a chlorine gas leak at the water treatment facility caused by the fire.

It also prompted closures to all inner canyon corridor trails and campgrounds.

"The only other time I've seen them close trails like that was when the whole park closed during the first months of COVID," Vanderploeg shared.

There have been no reported injuries or deaths. All staff and residents were successfully evacuated prior to the fire's escalation.

"All of this was done in a coordinated manner. It was done quickly, but it was not rushed," said Patrice Horstman, Chairperson for the Coconino County Board of Supervisors.

According to Grand Canyon National Park, at least 50 structures were destroyed in the fire, including administrative buildings and visitor facilities.

"The North Rim was already very short on infrastructure, and what was there has all been impacted by this fire," Vanderploeg detailed.

It's too soon to tell the full scope of the damage, but the hopes to rebuild are already developing.

"It's taking a big chunk of the park and taking it offline for at least a couple of years," said Tom Sulpizio, President of the Grand Canyon Historical Society.

"This is an economic engine for Coconino County and for the State of Arizona and we want to be able to work with the National Park Service and with others to get this rebuilt," Horstman added.

The North Rim will be closed to visitors for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Residents in the area have been ordered to evacuate due to the fire, which, as of Monday, had burned approximately 5,716 acres and was 0% contained.

For the latest on the Dragon Bravo Fire, click here.