Phoenix – Wildfires Continue to Rage in Arizona
Two wildfires in Arizona, north of the Grand Canyon, are still active, with no containment reported yet. The White Sage Fire, according to reports as of Tuesday morning, has burned nearly 52,000 acres since it began last Wednesday.
On a positive note, firefighters were able to slow the White Sage Fire’s growth on Monday, although it still spread by an additional 2,600 acres.
Conversely, the Dragon Bravo Fire, which is smaller yet more destructive, has affected nearly 8,600 acres since July 4. Reports indicate it grew by about 2,900 acres on Monday alone.
This fire has had devastating effects, destroying over 70 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. Thankfully, the North Rim facility was evacuated before the flames reached it, following increased winds on Saturday night.
The White Sage Fire is located around 15 miles southeast of Fredonia, a town a few miles south of Arizona’s border. The Dragon Bravo Fire, on the other hand, is about 35 miles south of White Sage Fire, situated within Grand Canyon National Park. Officials have indicated that both fires were ignited by lightning strikes.
Evacuations and Closures Near the Grand Canyon
The Coconino County area along the Kaibab Plateau, which stretches from the Grand Canyon to the Arizona-Utah border, is currently under a “GO” evacuation order, including the Lake Jacob region.
Both directions of Route 89A, which runs between Fredonia and Lake Jacob, have been closed since last week in relation to the White Sage Fire. Furthermore, access to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon will be restricted for the remainder of the 2025 season due to the destruction caused by the fires.
Additionally, an area closer to the canyon is indefinitely closed due to heavy smoke accumulation. The following trails are among those affected:
- North Kaibab and South Kaibab Trails.
- Bright Angel Trail below Haba Spy Garden.
- Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground.
- River Trail from Pipe Creek to South Kaibab.
- Eastern trails between Haba Spy Garden and Chip Off.
- All backcountry routes related to either Kaibab Trail or Bright Angel Trail.
Recently, a fire at the North Rim Water Treatment Plant released potentially harmful chlorine gas, although no dangerous vapors were reported by Tuesday.
Governor Hobbs Calls for Investigation Into Fire Response
The approach to managing the Dragon Bravo Fire initially focused on “limiting and containing” the blaze to clear fuel sources. However, as the fire spread more quickly, firefighters switched to aggressive suppression tactics.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has requested a federal investigation into the National Park Service’s response to the wildfires. “They must take decisive action to combat the wildfire and prevent further damage,” she stated on Sunday. “But Arizonans deserve answers regarding how this fire was allowed to wreak havoc on Grand Canyon National Park.”
