A Wildfire That Destroyed Historic Grand Canyon Lodge Spread After Being Allowed To Burn For Days

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – JULY 13: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) (Photo by Grand Canyon National Park via Getty Images) In this handout image provided by Grand Canyon National Park, A firefighter stands near smoldering debris and active flames amid the charred remains of burned structures near the Grand Canyon Lodge at Grand Canyon National Park on July 13, 2025. The fire is located on the North Rim of the park and is estimated at 1,500 acres. Due to increased fire activity, mandatory evacuation orders were issued earlier today for North Rim residents. (Photo by Grand Canyon National Park via Getty Images)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A wildfire destroyed a historic Grand Canyon lodge and is continuing to spread out of control Monday after it had been allowed to burn for days. Now the National Park Service’s decision not to aggressively attack the fire right away is coming under scrutiny. So far the, fire has leveled the historic Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim along with over 70 structures, including cabins and a visitor center. The fire began with a lightning strike on July 4 and intensified over the weekend because of high winds and dry conditions. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has called for a federal investigation into the Park Service’s handling of the fire.