Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Aug 4: Driven by high winds and parched conditions, Arizona’s Dragon Bravo Fire has exploded to nearly 472 square kilometers, making it one of the ten largest wildfires in the state’s history. The blaze, ignited by a lightning strike on July 4 inside the Walhalla Plateau of Grand Canyon National Park, remains only 12% contained, according to the U.S. Interagency wildfire tracking site.

Over 1,200 firefighters, supported by helicopters and air tankers, are battling the fire, which continues to threaten the North Rim of the iconic park. Authorities have safely evacuated more than 900 people, including staff and 54 trail mules.

Since mid-July, crews have been using natural barriers like canyon walls, old fire scars, and forest roads to try to halt the fire’s advance. However, strong winds on July 12 accelerated its spread through the historic lodge district, destroying the Grand Canyon Lodge, built in the 1920s, along with its stone dining hall, pinewood cabins, and several utility buildings — all consumed in under two hours.

The fire, which began as a small smolder, escalated rapidly after July 10, when around 500 visitors were forced to evacuate. By July 31, the fire had surpassed 400 sq km, cementing its place among Arizona’s most destructive wildfires.

Weather forecasters expect monsoonal moisture to move into northern Arizona by midweek, potentially increasing humidity and offering a chance of scattered showers — a possible turning point in the battle for containment.

Officials warn, however, that full containment could still be weeks away, depending on wind patterns, fuel moisture, and terrain challenges.

This blaze comes amid one of the most active wildfire seasons in recent memory. As of late July, the National Interagency Fire Center reported over 41,000 wildfires nationwide, burning nearly 3 million acres — far above the 10-year average. Major fires continue to burn across the West, including Oregon’s megafire (95,000 acres), California’s Madre Fire (80,000+ acres), and Arizona’s White Sage Fire (58,000 acres).