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

Government Reopening: Key Details You Need to Know After Unprecedented Shutdown

The United States House of Representatives took a decisive step on Wednesday…

Volusia Sheriff Launches Bold NYC Campaign Inviting Residents to Relocate to Sunny Florida

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood is extending a warm…

Revamping St. Paul Emergency Services: Inside the $2.75 Million Transformation

St. Paul, Virginia, is set to enhance its emergency response infrastructure with…

US Proposal for Gaza Stabilization Force at UN Encounters Opposition from Russia, China, and Arab Nations

TANZANIA – A new proposal by the United States to establish a…

Eastman Credit Union Grants Magical Disney Wish for Make-A-Wish Recipient: A Heartwarming Journey

In Kingsport, Tennessee, a heartwarming scene unfolded at Eastman Credit Union where…

November Deer Crashes: Sullivan and Washington Counties Rank Among Tennessee’s Most Hazardous

In a recent announcement, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has identified Sullivan…

Can You Get in Trouble for Backing into a Parking Space in Florida? Trooper Steve Explains

ORLANDO, Fla. – Every week, News 6’s traffic safety expert, Trooper Steve…

Unveiling the Dark Side: Nicolas Cage Transforms Jesus’ Youth into a Horror Masterpiece in ‘The Carpenter’s Son

LOS ANGELES – While the canonical Gospels were being transcribed and disseminated…

Seal Makes Daring Escape from Orcas by Leaping onto Photographer’s Boat

SEATTLE – An exhilarating encounter unfolded as a wildlife photographer, while on…

Get Your Holiday Ham: Pratt’s Now at Select Food City Locations!

ABINGDON, Va. — In time for the upcoming holiday season, Pratt’s renowned…

France Commemorates a Decade Since the Paris Attacks with Tributes to Victims

PARIS – A decade has passed since the coordinated terrorist attacks that…

Unveiling ‘Seduction’: HBO’s Bold Reimagining of ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ Through a Feminine Lens

“Welcome to the delicious chaos of high society,” invites the trailer for…