Wildfire destroys historic Grand Canyon Lodge
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Wildfires burning at or near the Grand Canyon's North Rim are still raging as strong winds, high heat and low humidity persist.
A wildfire destroyed a historic lodge at the Grand Canyon's North Rim and some political leaders want to know if the fire was mismanaged. One fire expert said officials should approach policy changes carefully because controlled burns are still critical to forest health.
The Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim, often described as the park’s quieter, wilder side, is now closed indefinitely following a fast-moving wildfire that has engulfed more than 8,500 acres and destroyed dozens of structures, including one of the park’s most beloved landmarks, the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
The NWS warning was in effect for regions of the Grand Canyon below 4,000 feet elevation. Temperatures were forecast to potentially reach 110 degrees at Phantom Ranch and 102 at Havasupai Gardens.
About 10 people die at the Grand Canyon every year, CBS affiliate KPHO reported. This is the second death at the park that the park service has reported this year. In May, a 74-year-old man died while attempting to hike from the canyon's South Rim to the North Rim, an approximately 24-mile distance.