Wildfires Impact Historic Inn Near Grand Canyon

SALT LAKE CITY — The White Sage and Dragon Bravo fire has scorched nearly 70,000 acres close to North Rim in the Grand Canyon as of Thursday. The operators of a historic inn expressed uncertainty about the future, noting some tough days ahead for local businesses.

“We have no idea what lies ahead. It’s frightening because this place has been here for 102 years,” Jaco Blakein and Melinda Rich Marshall shared. “I suspect my ancestors would be patient, but they also tended to open canyons. It’s tough to predict what will happen next.”

On Tuesday, Marshall got to return to the inn for just over an hour, and the experience was somewhat reassuring.

She noticed that firefighters had established camps at and around the inn.

“They’re covered in ashes, sleeping in tents, and we’re thankful for their efforts to protect not only Lake Jacob but also the forests we cherish,” Marshall said. “Being able to visit and see them in action was incredibly uplifting.”

Marshall mentioned that the closest flames were about three miles from the inn, though it seems the nearby ranch, owned by her family, sustained damage.

Seeing the wider destruction in the area was tough for her.

“Driving from the foot of the mountain to Lake Jacob, we pass the burn line, which is pretty devastating,” she reflected.

She also detailed the visible aftermath around Le Febvre’s area.

“From that spot, you can see the ongoing burns – a massive plume of smoke,” she remarked. “Miles of trees have vanished.”

A friend of the inn’s owner has set up a campaign to aid recovery once the fire is under control.

Marshall believes that businesses dependent on visitors to North Rim, whether near the canyon or all the way in Kanab, will struggle over the next few months due to the North Rim being closed for the remainder of 2025.

“Efforts to reach the canyon, regardless of its status, will be crucial for those communities,” she emphasized.