98-Year-Old Grand Canyon Lodge Lost in 50,000-Acre Wildfire

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Built in 1927 by famed architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the Grand Canyon Lodge stood as a masterpiece of "parkitecture" blending limestone and pine logs with canyon views.

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Beyond the iconic lodge, 50-80 structures were lost including the visitor center, wastewater plant, and the only gas station serving North Rim tourists.

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Firefighting efforts hit unexpected danger when the North Rim's water treatment facility caught fire, releasing heavy chlorine gas that forced immediate evacuation of responders.

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The economic blow reaches far beyond Arizona's borders—Utah businesses like Jacob Lake Inn face potential ruin with 80% of their revenue tied to North Rim visitors.

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"This is our second catastrophic fire in five years. Survival is uncertain without North Rim tourism," warned Melinda Rich Marshall, whose business now teeters on collapse.

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Governor Katie Hobbs demanded a "comprehensive, independent investigation" into why the lightning-caused fire was initially treated as a prescribed burn during peak drought.

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The Dragon Bravo Fire grew to 5,700 acres while the separate White Sage Fire expanded to roughly 50,000 acres, both threatening the region's tourism-dependent economy.

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With the North Rim now closed until 2026, nearly 490,000 annual visitors must be redirected, devastating communities in both Arizona and Utah.

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History offers a glimmer of hope—after burning in 1932, the lodge was successfully rebuilt in 1938, preserving Underwood's original vision for future generations.

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