Parker says American wildfire

A historic cottage on the northern edge of the Grand Canyon was destroyed by fast-moving wildfires, the park said Sunday.

Grand Canyon Lodge is the only accommodation in the North Rim Park and consumed by flames, Park Principal Ed Kable told park residents, staff and others at a meeting Sunday morning. He said the visitor center, gas station, wastewater treatment plants, administration buildings and some staff housing were also lost.

Two wildfires burned on or near the northern edge, called the White Sage Fire and the Brave Dragon Fire, and together burned over 45,000 acres of land. White Sage Fire burned 40,126 acres near the North Edge, while Dragon Warriors Fire burned in Grand Canyon National Park to 5,000 acres According to Inciwebfederal government wildfire tracker.

Bravo Dragon Fire is a fire that affects cottages and other structures. Fire officials said the park initially managed it as a controlled burn, but turned into suppression as it grew rapidly. It was triggered by the lightning on July 4th.

After the July 9 thunderstorm, the U.S. Land Administration began receiving reports of smoke in the white sage fire area.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office reported Friday that the entire area was evacuating and urged residents to leave immediately.

Millions of people visit Grand Canyon National Park every year, and most go to the more popular southern edge. The northern edge is open seasonally. It was evacuated last Thursday due to wildfires.

Parker officials said Sunday that combustion at the water treatment plant caused the release of chlorine, prompting firefighters and hikers to evacuate from the inside of the canyon. Heavier than air, chlorine can quickly enter lower altitudes, such as internal canyons, pose health risks.

Meanwhile, officials reported progress on combating the second wildfire north of the Grand Canyon. The line of fire on the northern edge and the Jacob Lake community forced the evacuation of the white sage fire was held, officials said. On the southern edge of the fire, handcraft and bulldozers are working uphill, and the fire spreads very little.

In the East and the North, fires spread rapidly, with grasses and dead trees causing the intensity of the fire, officials said. The fire pushed downhill towards the vermilion cliff area, and crews are evaluating the opportunity to create buffers to slow or stop the progress of the fire.