A wildfire has been spreading for several days in the northern part of the Grand Canyon, America’s representative national park, and is causing more damage. The Grand Canyon National Park Service announced on the 13th that the entire northern ‘North Rim’ area has been closed due to the fire.
According to fire officials, two wildfires that broke out in the Grand Canyon National Park area have been spreading for several days, and the chlorine gas used in the water treatment facility in the park caught fire the day before was released. The park service explained that chlorine gas is heavier than air and can remain inside the canyon and cause health problems for visitors.
The park service immediately evacuated visitors from the area and restricted access to the area. In addition, the area is experiencing a heat wave with temperatures reaching 46 degrees Celsius, making it difficult to fight the wildfire. The park service said that 50 to 80 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge in the North Rim area inside the park, burned down the night before. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or casualties.
According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Fire Information System, the Dragon Bravo wildfire spreading in the northern part of the Grand Canyon first broke out on the 4th due to a thunderstorm. The wildfire was almost completely controlled by the active efforts of fire authorities in the early stages, but the fire was rekindled on the 11th by strong winds and is gaining momentum in the extremely hot and dry weather. As of this afternoon, the damaged area reached 20㎢. Also, about 56km north of this wildfire area, another wildfire named ‘White Sage’ is in progress.
This wildfire, which started due to a thunderstorm on the 9th, burned 163㎢ as of this afternoon.
An evacuation order has been placed for Coconino County residents within the fire’s area.