GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Governor Katie Hobbs surveyed the charred remains of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim on Saturday. She toured the damage by air and on foot, calling the destruction “devastating” and calling for accountability over how the wildfire was handled.
The Dragon Bravo Fire, ignited by lightning on July 4, has burned over 18 square miles. Though no injuries have been reported, the blaze destroyed more than 70 structures, including the iconic Grand Canyon Lodge and a visitors’ center.
Aerial Assessment and Ground Briefings
Hobbs rode aboard a Black Hawk helicopter over the canyon’s scorched northern edge. She observed lingering smoke and saw the skeletal remains of the Grand Canyon Lodge. From the air, stretches of forest appeared flattened to ash, with only blackened tree trunks left standing.
After landing, Hobbs visited the incident command post. The fire camp houses more than 800 firefighters and support staff from federal, state, local, and private agencies. Hobbs met with the incident commander and representatives from Grand Canyon National Park and the Department of the Interior.
“This is federal jurisdiction, but fire does not respect boundaries,” Hobbs said. “We must work together.”
Controlled Burn Strategy Questioned
The National Park Service initially employed a “confine and contain” strategy, allowing the lightning-caused fire to burn naturally. This long-standing policy is designed to reduce fuel buildup and strengthen forest health.
But just days after ignition, strong winds, high heat, and low humidity caused the fire to grow rapidly. Officials shifted to full suppression and ordered evacuations.
The governor has now called for a formal investigation into how that decision was made. She emphasized that she is not second-guessing the park service but wants a thorough review once the fire is fully managed.
“People deserve answers,” Hobbs said. “We must understand what happened and why.”
North Rim Closed for Season
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is now closed for the remainder of the season. That includes popular trails and two campgrounds near the Colorado River. Officials say the closures are necessary due to both fire damage and hazardous air quality.
In a video statement last week, Hobbs said she had not seen evidence that a lack of federal resources contributed to the fire’s spread. However, members of Arizona’s congressional delegation have echoed her concerns and called for greater oversight.
The fire was only 8 percent contained as of Saturday, according to fire information officer Stefan La-Sky. Crews continue working around the clock to slow the flames and protect what remains.
What Comes Next
Governor Hobbs is scheduled to meet with leaders of the U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior this week. The meetings will focus on the federal wildfire response and how to prevent similar losses in the future.
While Hobbs acknowledged that fire management in such a complex environment is never simple, she insisted that transparency is essential.
“Arizonans deserve to know if this could have been avoided,” she said.
