Grand Canyon wildfire advances, destroying historic landmark

A wildfire that gained strength over the weekend has swept through more than fifty structures located in the Grand Canyon.

The fire consumed between fifty and eighty buildings, including a water treatment plant and the Grand Canyon Cabin, rebuilt in the 1930s after being destroyed by fire and declared a historic landmark in 1987.

This cabin was the only lodging for tourists visiting the North Rim of the park.

Hundreds of firefighters continue to battle by air and ground the Dragon Bravo fire, which was sparked on July 4 by a lightning strike near this Arizona tourist destination in southwestern Arizona.

Firefighters are also battling to contain a second fire that is threatening the park.

On Saturday night, "the flames rapidly intensified, fueled by sustained winds of 20 mph (32k/h) and gusts up to 40 mph (64k/h)," the national park system reported.

An extreme weather alert is also in effect for the Grand Canyon, with forecasts ranging from 105.8°F to 114.8°F.

Mass evacuations

The fire has forced emergency evacuations, with more than 500 tourists and park staff members evicted in recent days, as well as multiple road closures.

Some 4.5 million people visit this national park annually. Due to the advance of the flames, authorities ordered the closure of the North Rim for the rest of the season, an area which receives 10% of the tourists.

Criticism of the federal response

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs demanded an independent investigation into the government's handling of the fires.

"Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to destroy Grand Canyon National Park," she wrote on X on Monday.

"The federal government chose to handle this fire as a controlled burn during the driest and hottest part of Arizona's summer," she added.

"I call on the federal government for a thorough and independent investigation into the management of the fire and a report detailing the decisions that led to this devastating outcome."