Share this @internewscast.com

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) A historic lodge on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim has been destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire, the park said Sunday.

The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents, staff and others in a meeting Sunday morning. He said the visitor center, the gas station, a waste water treatment plant, an administrative building and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost.

Two wildfires are burning at or near the North Rim, known as the White Sage Fire and the Dragon Bravo Fire. The latter is the one that impacted the lodge and other structures. The park initially was managing it as a controlled burn but then shifted to suppression as it rapidly grew to 7.8 square miles (20 square kilometers) because of hot temperatures, low humidity and wind, fire officials said.

No injuries have been reported.

Millions of people visit Grand Canyon National Park annually, with most going to the more popular South Rim. The North Rim is open seasonally. It was evacuated last Thursday because of wildfire.

Firefighters at the North Rim and hikers in the inner canyon were evacuated over the weekend. The park said along with the fire risk, they could potentially be exposed to chlorine gas after the treatment plant burned. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can lead to blurred vision, irritation or respiratory problems if high amounts of it are breathed in, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Rafters on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon also were told to bypass Phantom Ranch, which has a set of cabins and dormitories along the river.

The North Rim lodge was often the first prominent feature that visitors see, even before viewing the canyon. A highway ends at the lodge, which was known for its sloped roof, huge ponderosa beams and massive limestone facade. By walking across the lobby and descending a stairwell, visitors could get their first view of the Grand Canyon shining through windows across the “Sun Room.”

Meanwhile, officials reported progress in battling a second wildfire burning north of the Grand Canyon. Fire lines on the White Sage Fire that forced evacuations at the North Rim and in the community of Jacob Lake were holding, officials said. On the southern edge of the fire, hand crews and bulldozers were working uphill, and the spread of the blaze had been minimal.

But to the east and north, the fire has spread rapidly, with grasses and standing dead trees contributing to the fire’s intensity, officials said. The fire was pushing downhill toward the Vermilion Cliffs area, and crews were assessing opportunities to create buffer zones that help slow or halt the fire’s progress.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Piatt County School District Planning $2 Million in Upgrades

BEMENT, Ill. (WCIA) — Much needed renovations in one Piatt County school…

New FAFSA Forms Released Early May Lead to ‘Record-Breaking’ Season

(The Hill) — The Trump administration’s early release of the Free Application…

URGENT: Suspects in Mall Shooting Charged with Murder and Additional Offenses

All six individuals suspected in the July 2 shooting at Oglethorpe Mall…

Register Now for Community Emergency Response Team Training with Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting…

Housing Secretary Justifies Criticizing Democrats on Government Website

Scott Turner, who serves as President Trump’s Secretary of Housing and Urban…

Asteroid might collide with the moon in 2032

Internet Explorer 11 is not compatible. For the best experience, please use…

Texas Congressional Map Lawsuit Moves to Courtroom Showdown

() On Wednesday, a three-judge panel in El Paso, Texas, will take…

Champaign Co. Reveals Trick-or-Treat Hours: All Treats, No Tricks!

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — No, this isn’t a trick! Champaign, Urbana,…

Greta Thunberg’s Pre-recorded Message Regarding Detainment

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…

Smugglers Abandon Migrant Stranded on Border Wall

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — Border agents say smugglers abandoned a…

Investigations Underway for Two Separate Attacks on Corrections Officers at Wallens Ridge Facilities

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) is currently investigating two separate incidents…

Authorities Report Four Injured in Synagogue Incident

Internet Explorer 11 isn’t supported. For the best experience, please visit our…