Grand Canyon Hotel destroyed in violent Arizona wildfires

A violent wildfire near the Grand Canyon in the United States destroyed dozens of buildings, including a historic cabin, the only available accommodation on the northern edge of the surrounding national park.

The fire that destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge was one of two that had swept through thousands of acres in the area.

The fire also forced the North rebound to close for the rest of the 2025 tourism season.

Authorities in Arizona are still working to control the fires, known as Dragon Warriors and White Sage Fire.

Located about 8,000 feet (24.38 million), Grand Canyon Lodge also includes dining facilities, a gift shop and a post office. It has been in operation since the 1930s.

“As the stewards of some of our country’s most popular national treasures, we have destroyed us by the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge,” Aramark, the company that runs the hotel, said in a statement.

“We are grateful that all our staff and guests have been evacuated safely,” the statement added.

No damage was reportedly caused by the fire, with sustained wind energy reaching 40 mph (64 km/h).

However, preliminary assessments from the National Park Service (NPS) show that the Lombravo fire has lost 50 to 80 buildings, including administrative buildings and visitor facilities.

Firefighters in several areas were forced to evacuate due to chlorine leaks in nearby water treatment facilities, NPS added.

Heavier than air, chlorine can settle at lower altitudes and can pose a risk to firefighters and hikers in the area.

The second fire so far was the White Sage Fire, which has burned 40,000 acres of Kaibab National Forest, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate.

The Park Service said the two fires were believed to have started with lightning.

In 2024, nearly 5 million people visited the Grand Canyon, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.

The southern edge of the canyon remains open.