() The Grand Canyon has been on fire for a month, as crews continue to battle the continental United States’ largest wildfire this year.
The Dragon Bravo Fire, which began July 4, has grown to more than 116,000 acres and is now 12% contained. Lightning caused the blaze that has since destroyed dozens of structures and closed the northern part of the national park.
“As of August 3, the Dragon Bravo fire is still active and the fire perimeter continues to grow,” the National Park Service said in its latest status update.
The conditions have made for “poor firefighting weather,” according to the United States Forest Service, with high winds and record low humidity, which increases the risk of fire due to dried vegetation.
Local officials will hold public community meeting Tuesday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. local time, both of which will be livestreamed on the official Dragon Bravo Fire information Facebook page. Officials from the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park will speak.
Visiting Grand Canyon during Dragon Bravo Fire: What’s open?
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will remain closed for the rest of the 2025 season, including all lodging, visitor services and developed facilities, the National Park Service said. Opening for the 2026 season will be determined later.
“The park is currently focused on emergency stabilization to protect remaining infrastructure and natural resources. Planning is underway for the recovery and rebuilding of visitor facilities, including the Grand Canyon Lodge, although this process will take time,” the NPS said.
The historic Grand Canyon Lodge, the North Rim Visitor Center and many guest cabins have been destroyed. The beloved Brighty Statue, a bronze replica of a burro that lived in the canyon in the 1900s, was heavily damaged, too.
“The statue holds deep meaning for many visitors, and the park is committed to honoring that legacy in future planning,” the NPS said.
Although the Grand Canyon’s South Rim is open to the public, other areas are temporarily off limits due to smoke accumulation. The North Kaibab, Phantom Ranch, the lower Bright Angel Trail and the entire South Kaibab Trail are closed “for the foreseeable future due to unhealthy air quality concerns.” The NPS updates trail closures on its website.
No deaths or injuries have been reported.
