The Dragon Bravo Fire, which destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge and has forced the closure of parts of Grand Canyon National Park, grew to more than 123,000 acres on Monday. The sweeping wildfire is 13 percent contained and continues to pose risks for visitors.
The North Rim, a remote area that draws only about 10 percent of the park’s visitors, has borne the brunt of the damage and is closed through 2025. The more popular South Rim remains open, though various restrictions are in place. There are also closures within the inner canyon because of smoke accumulation, particularly on trails that link the North and South Rims to the Colorado River below.
Here’s what travelers should know about safety and the fires in the Grand Canyon.
Is it safe to visit Grand Canyon National Park?
Yes, much of the park remains safe to visit, though travelers should heed the latest alerts from the National Park Service.
In addition to the fire closures, the park also issued an extreme heat warning on Monday, citing “dangerously hot conditions” in the lower elevations of the Grand Canyon. (Summer heat can be deadly for hikers at the park.) The park recommends that all hikers bring adequate gear, including sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, salty snacks, sufficient water and electrolyte drink mix. “Doubling your calorie intake helps maintain your energy,” the warning states.
As always, travelers should remain cautious about hiking alone and should familiarize themselves with the locations of water stations within the park to help avoid dehydration.
Travelers should also monitor the air quality. As a general rule, an Air Quality Index over 100 or above can pose health risks for older adults, children and people with lung or heart conditions. An index above 150 is considered unhealthy. Visitors should consider wearing a mask if air quality worsens.
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The post What Travelers Need to Know About the Fire Raging at the Grand Canyon appeared first on New York Times.
