Grand Canyon Lodge, National Park Service
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National wildfire policy has changed significantly over the past century. After the “Big Burn” of Idaho and Montana in 1910, federal fire officials treated all fires as an enemy and instituted a “10 a.m.” rule seeking to snuff them out within a morning of spotting them.
After almost a century since its construction, an iconic hotel in the Grand Canyon National Park has once again been left in ruins.
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Condé Nast Traveler on MSNWildfires Continue to Burn At the Grand Canyon—Here's What to KnowThe latest on the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires. Plus, the trails, lodges, and campgrounds that are closed to visitors.
"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.
After the Dragon Bravo fire destroyed the historic lodge and other buildings on the night of the eleventh, Horning noticed on his phone app that two helicopters began water drops on the morning of the twelfth and slurry drops began on the thirteenth.
A combination of high winds, dry air and above average temperatures caused a wildfire in the Grand Canyon to rapidly expand and cause major damage.
The NPS recommends avoiding hiking the Grand Canyon's inner trails between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when temperatures are at their peak. Temperatures in the inner canyon can reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade, creating "extremely hazardous conditions for hikers," the NPS said.