GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Arizona: A wildfire that destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and over 70 other structures on the North Rim erupted out of control on July 15 after being allowed to burn for days, prompting sharp criticism of the National Park Service's initial response.

The blaze, which broke out after a lightning strike on July 4, was originally monitored but not aggressively fought, as officials adopted a "confine and contain" strategy meant to benefit the ecosystem.

At first, the fire appeared manageable. On July 8, the Park Service assured the public on Facebook that there were "no threats to infrastructure or public safety." But just three days later, the fire exploded in size, growing nearly eightfold within a single day to over 1.4 square miles (3.6 square kilometers). Authorities issued urgent evacuation orders as dry weather, low humidity, and strong winds rapidly intensified the fire's spread.

By July 15, the fire had consumed the Grand Canyon Lodge—the only lodging on the park's North Rim—along with employee housing, a wastewater treatment plant, and a visitors center. Park Superintendent Ed Keable confirmed the destruction and announced that the North Rim would remain closed to visitors for the rest of the year. The North Rim, though less frequented than the South Rim, typically draws about 10  percent of the park's millions of annual visitors.

Evacuations were carried out for hikers in the area, and rafters on the Colorado River were advised to avoid Phantom Ranch, a remote outpost of cabins and dormitories. Trails from both the North and South rims leading to the area were also closed. A chlorine gas leak at the damaged water treatment plant complicated firefighting efforts, as crews were forced to pull back due to fears that the toxic, heavier-than-air gas could drift into the canyon.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has called for a federal investigation into how the fire was handled, questioning the decision to treat it as a managed or "controlled" burn during one of the hottest and driest times of the year.

"The federal government chose to manage that fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer," she said in a social media post. Her office confirmed that she plans to meet with leaders from the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to review the decisions made.

The fire's destruction was visible across the Grand Canyon. From the South Rim, plumes of black smoke and a smoky haze filled the air, drawing crowds of onlookers who photographed the unfolding disaster. Firefighters, using aircraft to drop fire retardant, made some headway near the lodge before retreating due to the gas leak.

Aramark, the concessionaire operating the Grand Canyon Lodge, confirmed that all employees and guests had been safely evacuated. The original Grand Canyon Lodge, built in 1928, was destroyed by a kitchen fire just four years later. It was rebuilt using the original stonework and reopened in 1937. Known for its massive ponderosa beams, limestone façade, and a beloved bronze statue of "Brighty the Burro," the lodge sat at the canyon's edge and offered sweeping views.

"It was like you're looking at this movie all the time," said Erik Ammerlann, a longtime Arizona resident who stayed at the lodge nearly a decade ago. "You're really just one with nature."

The Grand Canyon fire is just one of dozens plaguing the American West. According to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, about three dozen wildfires remain uncontained across the region, with another 80 fires being deliberately managed to reduce dangerous overgrowth.