Los Angeles: A massive wildfire, ignited by a lightning strike on 4 July, continues to sweep across the North Rim of Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park, having now burned through an estimated 472 square kilometers. The blaze, named the Dragon Bravo Fire, remains only 12 per cent contained despite the continuous efforts of more than 1,200 firefighters, helicopters and air tankers.
According to the US interagency wildfire website, the fire has been fueled by strong winds and extremely dry forest conditions on the Walhalla Plateau. Authorities said more than 900 people, including 54 trail mules and park staff, have been safely evacuated.
Since mid-July, firefighters have relied on natural barriers like canyon walls, old burn zones, and graded forest roads to limit the spread. Officials are hopeful that incoming monsoon moisture later this week could raise humidity and bring some much-needed rainfall.
What started as a smoldering fire escalated significantly in the days following 4 July. By 10 July, 500 visitors were evacuated as conditions worsened. On 12 July, high winds drove the flames into the lodge district, destroying the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, its iconic stone dining hall, dozens of pine-clad cabins, and several utility buildings, all within two hours.
By the end of July, the Dragon Bravo Fire had become one of the ten largest wildfires in Arizona’s history.
Officials warn that full containment could still take weeks, depending on weather patterns, fire behavior, and fuel conditions.
This comes amid what experts are calling one of the most active wildfire seasons in recent US history. As of late July, over 41,000 wildfires have burned nearly 3 million acres across the country, according to the National Interagency Fire Centre, well above the 10-year average.
Other major blazes include Oregon’s megafire burning more than 95,000 acres, California’s Madre Fire at over 80,000 acres, and Arizona’s White Sage Fire, which has scorched about 58,000 acres.