An official says a historic Grand Canyon lodge has been destroyed by wildfire
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GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — A historic lodge on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon has been engulfed by a rapidly advancing wildfire, as confirmed by the park on Sunday.

The Grand Canyon Lodge, which stands as the sole accommodation option within the park’s North Rim, was overtaken by the fire, according to park Superintendent Ed Keable. He informed park residents, staff, and others during a Sunday morning meeting that the visitor center, gas station, wastewater treatment plant, an administrative building, and several employee residences were also destroyed.

Currently, two wildfires are active in or close to the North Rim area, identified as the White Sage Fire and the Bravo Dragon Fire. It was the Bravo Dragon Fire that inflicted damage upon the lodge and other facilities. Initially managed as a controlled burn, park officials transitioned to suppression tactics as the fire expanded swiftly, according to fire authorities.

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.

The burning of the water treatment plant resulted in the release of chlorine gas that prompted the evacuation of firefighters and hikers from the inner canyon, park officials said Sunday. Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can quickly settle into lower elevations such as the inner canyon, posing a health risk.

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.

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This story has been updated to correct spelling of superintendent’s last name to Keable, not Keeble, in second paragraph.

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