Sat Aug 02 07:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
A wildfire named the Dragon Bravo Fire, sparked by lightning on July 4th in the Grand Canyon National Park, has exploded into a megafire, burning over 111,000 acres and only being 9% contained. The fire has ravaged the North Rim, destroying dozens of buildings, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and Visitor’s Center, leading to the closure of the North Rim for the rest of the 2025 season. Nearly 1,200 firefighters are battling the blaze, facing volatile conditions including chlorine gas leaks and extreme fire behavior. The fire is pushing north into a previous burn scar, and while humidity offered slight relief on Friday, extreme conditions persist.
**News Article:**
**Grand Canyon’s North Rim Devastated by Dragon Bravo Megafire, Historic Lodge Lost**
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. – The Dragon Bravo Fire, ignited by a lightning strike on July 4th, has transformed into a destructive megafire, charring over 111,000 acres of the Grand Canyon National Park and forcing the indefinite closure of the North Rim.
The fire, only 9% contained as of Friday, has proven fiercely challenging to combat. Fueled by dry conditions and high winds, the blaze rapidly expanded, overwhelming initial containment efforts. The U.S. Forest Service has officially designated the Dragon Bravo Fire a megafire, a term reserved for wildfires exceeding 100,000 acres.
Tragically, the fire has consumed dozens of structures on the North Rim, including the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge and the Grand Canyon Visitor’s Center. The loss of these landmarks represents a significant blow to the park’s heritage and tourism. In total, 70 structures have been lost, according to the National Park Service. A chlorine gas leak also forced firefighter evacuations after the Dragon Bravo Fire exhibited extreme and volatile behavior and ripped through the region on Friday.
Nearly 1,200 personnel are currently battling the blaze, navigating treacherous terrain and dealing with unpredictable fire behavior. Authorities have closed the North Rim for the remainder of the 2025 season due to the extensive damage and ongoing safety concerns. The closure includes the southern terminus of Arizona State Route 67 in the North Rim developed area.
Several trails within the Grand Canyon’s inner rim are also closed due to heavy smoke accumulation.
Fire officials report the fire is now pushing north into an area previously burned in the 2006 Warm Fire. While a slight increase in humidity offered some reprieve on Friday, overall fire conditions remain extreme.
The National Park Service continues to assess the full extent of the damage and is developing plans for recovery and rebuilding. The long-term impact of the Dragon Bravo Fire on the Grand Canyon ecosystem remains to be seen.