A wildfire burning in Grand Canyon National Park has grown into a “megafire,” scorching over 111,970 acres and prompting the closure of the park’s North Rim for the remainder of the 2025 season.
The Dragon Bravo Fire, ignited by a lightning strike on July 4, expanded rapidly after fire conditions changed unexpectedly. A fire that consumes more than 100,000 acres is classified as a megafire by the U.S. Forest Service.
As of Friday, the blaze is 9% contained, with nearly 1,200 personnel battling the flames. Fueled primarily by trees and brush, the fire continues to advance northward into a scar from a 2006 wildfire.
The wildfire has caused extensive damage, destroying 70 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and the Grand Canyon Visitor’s Center. According to reports, extreme fire behavior and a subsequent chlorine gas leak also forced firefighter evacuations. Smoke accumulation from the blaze has led to the closure of several trails within the canyon’s inner rim.
While officials report a slight rise in relative humidity, which could aid containment efforts, extreme fire conditions persist throughout the region.
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