Grand Canyon Wildfire Expands to Over 110,000 Acres, Evacuations in Effect

The Dragon Bravo Fire has become the tenth-largest wildfire in Arizona's recorded history, burning over 110,000 acres near the Grand Canyon. The North Rim of the park has been placed under evacuation orders due to the fire's expansion, which has reached 8% containment. This blaze, now the largest in the Grand Canyon's history, continues to spread north, east, and west, with concerns about its proximity to Kaibab Lodge. Firefighters face challenging conditions, especially on the north rim, where the rugged terrain and wind patterns complicate suppression efforts. Despite the ongoing wildfire, tourism at the Grand Canyon remains robust, with visitors from around the world continuing to explore the park. Several structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, have been destroyed, leading visitors to shift to the South Rim. On July 31, wind gusts reaching 35 mph contributed to rapid fire growth, with a single day seeing an increase of approximately 20,000 acres. Efforts are focused on constructing containment lines on the north and west sides of the fire to protect key infrastructure, including Kaibab Lodge. Sources include interviews with visitors, fire management officials,...