In the United States , the Grand Canyon Lodge, a historic 1920s hotel complex that was among the landmarks of the Grand Canyon and particularly the North Rim, the northern area of the great national park located near the Kaibab Plateau in Arizona, has been destroyed by a devastating fire . Breaking the news is the National Park Service , which expresses its distress over the loss of this important monument: “As custodians of some of our country’s most beloved national treasures, we are devastated by the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and several other historic buildings on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We are grateful that all of our employees and guests were safely evacuated and we join the National Park Service in mourning the loss of these iconic and beloved structures.”
The fire, dubbed the Dragon Bravo Fire, broke out on the very northern slope of Grand Canyon National Park on the evening of July 12 (it was caused by lightning) and has already burned 200 acres of land. Firefighters confirmed the destruction of the Grand Canyon Lodge and several historic lodges in the built-up area. Aerial water jets were made to slow the fire’s movement near the Grand Canyon Lodge and Transept Canyon, but this activity still failed to prevent the destruction of the complex. There are currently no reports of personal injuries (no fatalities or injuries: residents and park staff were evacuated before the fire intensified), but preliminary assessments indicate that between 50 and 80 structures were destroyed, including National Park Service administrative buildings and visitor facilities. The entire North Rim area will remain closed to visitors until at least October 2025.
The Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim was more than just a lodge: “a timeless retreat, carved into the history of the American West,” as its website called it. Designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood and completed in 1928, the lodge was built with local stone and lumber, including Kaibab limestone, quarried from the canyon walls at Bright Angel Point.
Surrounded by 120 bungalows, the lodge quickly became a haven for travelers drawn to the serenity and beauty of the North Rim. This was not the first time a fire struck it: flames had already razed the original lodge in 1932, but the structure was rebuilt in 1936 using the original masonry and redesigned to withstand the region’s heavy snowfall. The celebrated dining room and recreational spaces were restored, preserving the spirit of the original structure. It was theonly lodging facility within the North Rim park. In addition, the Grand Canyon Lodge had been declared a National Historic Landmark in 1982.
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| U.S., fire destroys Grand Canyon Lodge, North Rim landmark |
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