Dragon Bravo Fire grows to burn over 71,000 acres, threatens another lodge near Grand Canyon

PHOENIX — The fast-moving Dragon Bravo Fire in northern Arizona came dangerously close to the Kaibab Lodge near the Grand Canyon on Monday night, officials said.

“As smoke darkens the skies, our hearts ache for this cherished refuge in the pines,” read a post from Kaibab Lodge’s official Facebook account. “We hold on to hope that it can be saved.”

The fire remained at a safe distance away from the lodge as of Tuesday morning.

Why were officials worried about Dragon Bravo Fire burning historic lodge?

The wildfire was sparked by lightning on Fourth of July and has destroyed over 70 structures on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.

The Dragon Bravo Fire was 26% contained on Friday. However, it quickly spread over the weekend, causing containment efforts to fall to 13% by Monday. By Tuesday morning, containment had dropped even further to just 9%.

Fire crews have been struggling to contain the blaze due to dry conditions, high winds, rugged terrain and the formation of a pyrocumulus cloud: a towering column of smoke that, as it rises and cools, forms its own cloud system and even generates its own weather, including winds.

As of Tuesday morning, the fire had consumed 71,005 acres and required approximately 1,000 personnel.

Officials told KTAR News 92.3 FM they’re hoping a potential monsoon could move into the area on Thursday or Friday, bringing much-needed moisture to help contain the fire.

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