Here’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the key facts:
Main Event: A wildfire, identified as the “Dragon Bravo Fire,” has caused meaningful damage at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
key Impacts:
Grand Canyon Lodge destroyed: The historic Grand Canyon Lodge, a significant landmark offering panoramic views, has been completely destroyed by the fire. The lodge, originally built in 1937 after a previous fire, comprised a main building, deluxe cabins, and regular cabins.
North Rim Closure: The North Rim of the Grand Canyon will remain closed for the rest of the season (May 15 to October 15) due to the fire.
Evacuations: Staff and hikers were evacuated from the North Rim before the fire intensified, and no injuries or deaths were reported.
South Rim Advisory: Visitors to the more popular South Rim are advised to stay updated on potential air quality alerts.
Fire Management:
The National Park Service is employing an “aggressive full suppression strategy” to manage the fire,which is described as “still very active.”
Political Reaction:
Arizona Governor’s Concerns: Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has called for a “comprehensive and independent investigation” into the federal government’s handling of the fire. She expressed concern that the fire was managed as a “controlled burn” during the driest and hottest part of the Arizona summer, leading to the devastating outcome.
Representative’s Statement: Rep. Greg Stanton (D-arizona) described the lodge’s destruction as “heartbreaking news.”
Other Details:
The text mentions a “chlorine leak” in the first sentence, but it’s unclear from the provided snippet how this relates to the wildfire.It might be a separate, unrelated incident mentioned in a preceding paragraph.
* The fire was reportedly started by a lightning strike.
In essence, the grand Canyon’s North Rim has suffered a major blow with the destruction of its historic lodge due to a wildfire, leading to its closure and prompting calls for an investigation into the fire’s management.