Grand Canyon, North Rim
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The lightning-caused wildfire that consumed roughly 70 structures seemed unremarkable for days. High winds changed that.
The fire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon started from a lightning strike but was managed as a controlled burn until it spread.
The Grand Canyon Lodge was the park's one and only hotel, according the National Park Service, with the next nearest lodgings roughly 18 miles away.
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Live Science on MSNGrand Canyon Dragon wildfire burns down historic lodge and triggers toxic gas leakFirefighters are battling a lightning-caused wildfire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Dragon Bravo Fire has burned down the Grand Canyon Lodge and triggered a chlorine gas leak.
"We were just short on resources, didn't have enough people, enough aircraft to get there and, you know, effectively fight the fire," said Stanley in a phone interview, speaking of his first night working on the fire as part of an air attack crew.
The Grand Canyon's North Bravo Fire intensified on July 11, the day before Katy Rock Shop owner Jacob Proctor and his family arrived at the national park.
The Dragon Bravo Fire started on July 4 and was managed at first as a controlled burn. Then the wind picked up, and it quickly became uncontrollable.
The Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim was destroyed by the Dragon Bravo wildfire, which began with a lightning strike on July 4 and spread rapidly due to high winds. Arizona officials, including Democratic Sens.