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A vegetation biologist conducts field surveys on the North Rim on Aug. 25. The DOI Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team includes specialists across many disciplines including vegetation and forestry technicians, wildlife biologists, and others.
DOI BAER Team Photo
Trail Reopenings & Current Closures
Effective Aug. 20, 2025:
South Kaibab Trail is open from the South Kaibab Trailhead to Tipoff.
Tonto Trail is open from Tipoff to Havasupai Gardens.
Bright Angel Trail is open from the Bright Angel Trailhead to River Resthouse.
The River Trail from River Resthouse to the South Kaibab Trail junction remains closed through October 31, 2025, due to ongoing construction on the Transcanyon Waterline Project. This segment is expected to reopen on November 1, 2025. The Silver Bridge will remain closed through November 26, 2025. On November 1, 2025, Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground are tentatively expected to reopen to the public.
The North Kaibab Trail remains closed for the foreseeable future due to post-fire impacts. Extensive maintenance is required to address rockslides and make necessary structural modifications before it can safely reopen.
North Rim Dragon Bravo Fire Information & Recovery
On July 10, the National Park Service evacuated approximately 500 visitors from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon due to the threat of losing access to Hwy. 67 by the White Sage Fire which was burning to the north on BLM lands and the Kaibab National Forest.
On July 11, the National Park Service evacuated more than 400 park, concession, and Grand Canyon Conservancy staff due to the rapidly growing Dragon Bravo Fire. The 54 mules with Canyon Trail Rides were evacuated on July 13.
No lives were lost, and no major injuries have been reported as a result of the Dragon Bravo Fire.
The future of the North Rim Lodge is being carefully evaluated through a phased process that prioritizes safety, stabilization, and long-term planning. Following the Dragon Bravo Fire, hazard tree removal and initial hazard assessments are underway in the developed area.
The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team began a full assessment on August 21, 2025 to guide an Emergency Stabilization Plan, which includes addressing hazardous materials, protecting water quality, and ensuring safe site access.Once conditions allow, Grand Canyon National Park will begin evaluating the stability of historic structures, including the North Rim Lodge, as part of a dedicated Historic Structure Stabilization Plan. This process will help determine what treatments or repairs are needed to protect and preserve the lodge for the future.
We will continue to share imagery and information as conditions allow.
At this time, it is too early to say whether the North Rim will reopen for day use in 2026. The Dragon Bravo Fire caused significant impacts to infrastructure, trails, utilities, and natural resources on the North Rim. In addition, Highway 67, the sole access road, remains closed for the foreseeable future due to post-fire hazards.
The park is working closely with interagency partners to assess damage, restore critical utilities, and reduce safety risks such as post-fire flooding, debris flows, and falling trees. These efforts, along with recommendations from the Department of the Interior’s Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, will guide decisions about when and how the North Rim can safely reopen.
The safety of the public and park staff remains the highest priority. The park is committed to reopening closed areas as soon as they are determined to be safe, and will continue to provide regular updates as recovery and repair efforts progress.
Brighty was safely transported from the North Rim to the South Rim Museum collections on August 15, 2025. There, he will be carefully evaluated by staff. The park is working closely with our nonprofit partner, Grand Canyon Conservancy, on restoration efforts to ensure Brighty is preserved for future generations.
Dragon Bravo Fire Timeline
July 4, 2025
The Dragon Bravo Fire was ignited by a lightning strike. The fire was managed initially under a confine and contain suppression strategy.
July 4-10, 2025
A Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) managed the fire, and 110 personnel were assigned to the incident for approximately a week. The fire showed low to moderate growth while firefighters improved and fortified containment lines around the fire perimeter.
July 10, 2025
Due to the nearby White Sage Fire threatening Hwy. 67 access, 500 visitors were evacuated from the North Rim. North Rim residents were encouraged to shelter in place.
July 11, 2025
3:30 p.m. : Unpredictable shifting winds caused the fire to breach containment lines and spread rapidly toward critical infrastructure and housing.
North Rim NPS and concessions staff were issued a "SET" and subsequent "GO" evacuation order.
July 12, 2025
Aerial damage assessment revealed severe damage and loss of structures in the NPS Administration Area, to include 11 residences, multiple office buildings, vehicles, and water treatment facilities.
A chlorine gas leak was reported at the North Rim water treatment plant. Immediate evacuation and closure of Phantom Ranch and the inner canyon corridor was ordered.
Between July 12 and 13, the fire expanded by an additional 500 acres reaching the southern end of developed area.
July 13, 2025
Aerial reconnaissance confirmed destruction of the Grand Canyon Lodge, the North Rim Visitor Center, and many historic cabins. Several structures remained intact, including the General Store, Campground, Gas Station, and some cabins and housing.
July 14, 2025
A Complex IMT took over management of the fire response and recovery, remaining in command with ongoing two-week rotations through September 2025.
July 17, 2025
The park requested an immediate assessment of post-fire risks to key values. Initial Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) findings identified no immediate need for emergency treatments for the Roaring Springs water system or aquifer contamination from fire retardant; however, the North Rim water pipeline and water treatment plant were severely damaged.
August 20, 2025
Reopening of inner canyon corridor trails to include the South Kaibab Trail to Tipoff, Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens, and the Tonto Trail between the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails. Phantom Ranch, the River Trail, and the lower South Kaibab remain closed until Nov. 1, 2025.
August 21, 2025
A multi-agency Department of the Interior (DOI) BAER Team began work to assess the impacts of the Dragon Bravo Fire on National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.
August 29, 2025
Arizona Department of Transportation reopens Hwy. 67 from Jacob Lake to the Kaibab Lodge. The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park from mile marker 605 south remains closed.
September 2, 2025
Preliminary post-fire BAER assessment completed and recommendations provided to Grand Canyon National Park management for consideration and future planning efforts.
This map is being provided to meet the need for timely best science and on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information. Subject to revision.
USGS
Watershed Impacts from Dragon Bravo Fire
The Dragon Bravo Fire impacted several key North Rim watersheds that drain into the Colorado River, including House Rock Wash, North and South Canyons, Buck Farm Canyon, Nankoweap Creek, Kwagunt Creek, Malgosa, Awatubi, 60-Mile, Clear Creek, Bright Angel Creek (which flows through Phantom Ranch), Crystal Creek, and Tuna Creek. Some of these drainages are more than 13 miles long, and while rain at the top of the rim can take two to four hours to reach the river, flooding near or within the burn scar can happen in a matter of minutes.
Increased risk of flash floods and/or debris flows is expected in these watersheds during monsoons or other storms with heavy precipitation. In steep terrain, runoff can cause flash flooding within minutes of heavy rainfall. It can also trigger debris flows—fast-moving, destructive slides made up of water, ash, mud, rocks, and trees—that are capable of damaging buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, sometimes many miles downstream
Visitors should exercise extreme caution in all affected watersheds during monsoon season, as burned areas are more prone to flash flooding and debris flows.
