Dragon Bravo fire rages in the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, check what’s open and what’s closed

The Dragon Bravo fire destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of other structures on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, forcing officials to close access to that area for the season, the park said Sunday, July 13, 2025. The intensity of the wildfire consumed the Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, Park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents, staff, and others in a meeting Sunday morning, according to news agency AP.

Due to the active fire behavior and ongoing risks to personnel and infrastructure, the North Rim will remain closed to all visitor access for the remainder of the 2025 season, the National Park Service said in a press release on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

The release further stated that all inner canyon corridor trails, campgrounds, and associated areas are closed until further notice. These areas include North Kaibab Trail, South Kaibab Trail, Phantom Ranch, and Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens.


The latest release also underlined the primary objectives of the fire operation that remain, including the protection of the lives and safety of firefighting personnel and the public, preserving the remaining structures on the North Rim, and safeguarding cultural and natural resources within Grand Canyon National Park.

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.

Park Superintendent Ed Keable had also said that the visitor center, the gas station, a wastewater treatment plant, an administrative building, and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost. “Numerous historic cabins in the area also were destroyed, the park said.

Dragon Bravo fire FAQs

When and how did the fire start?

The Dragon Bravo fire was triggered by lightning on Friday, July 4, 2025. It was initially managed by authorities with a “confine and contain” strategy to clear fuel sources.

How much area has been covered by the fire?

The Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park exhibited extreme and volatile fire behavior the evening of July 12, resulting in a 500-acre expansion.

When and why did the fire intensify?

At around 10:30 PM on July 12, 2025, fire activity intensified rapidly, fueled by sustained winds of 20 mph and gusts reaching up to 40 mph.