Wildfire destroys a historic Grand Canyon lodge and other structures

A historic lodge on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim has been destroyed by a wildfire. Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents and staff that the Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames. He says the visitor center, the gas station and a waste water treatment plant also were lost, along with some employee housing and an administrative building. Millions of people visit Grand Canyon National Park annually, with most going to the more popular South Rim. The North Rim is open seasonally. It was largely evacuated last Thursday because of the wildfire, with more evacuations of firefighters and hikers in the inner canyon over the weekend.