Grand Canyon Lodge, destroyed against the background of raging fires in Arizona

A gracious wild fire near the Grand Canyon in the United States has destroyed dozens of buildings – including a historical lodge, which is the only accommodation available within the north edge of the national park.

The fire, which destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge, is one of the two who went through tens of thousands of acres in the area.

The shields also forced the closure of northern Rome for the rest of the 2025 tourist season.

Arizona authorities are still working to control the fires, which are called the Dragon Bravo Fire and Fire by a sage.

Situated approximately 8,000 feet (2438 m), the Grand Canyon Lodge also included dining facilities, gift shop and a post office. It has been working since the 1930s.

“As the governors of some of the most beloved national treasures in our country, we are devastated by the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge,” said Aramark, the company that runs the lodge.

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

They have not been reported that they are not caused by the flames, which is fueled by durable winds, reaching up to 40 km/h (64 km/h).

But preliminary estimates from the National Park Service (NPS) show that between 50 and 80 buildings were lost by the Dragon Bravo fire, including administrative buildings and visitors facilities.

Firefighters in several areas were forced to evacuate due to chlorine leakage to a nearby water purification establishment, NPS added.

Chlorine gas is larger than the air and can be established at smaller hills, which is potentially a risk for both firefighters and tourists in the area.

The second explosion, the fire from the white sage, has so far burned over 40,000 acres of the National Forest Kaybab, forcing hundreds to evacuate.

It is believed that both fires started from lightning, the park said.

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

The southern edge of the canyon remains open.