**Grand Canyon National Park to Reopen Portions of North Rim After Devastating Wildfire**
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — Grand Canyon National Park will soon reopen portions of the North Rim to public access following a wildfire that destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of cabins, the National Park Service announced Thursday.
Daytime access will begin Oct. 1 to locations including Point Imperial—the park’s highest overlook at the eastern end of the Grand Canyon—and the Cape Royal overlook, the Park Service said in a news release. Access will extend through Nov. 30 or earlier, depending on the first major snowfall. However, much of the North Rim will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to safety concerns and ongoing recovery efforts.
The Dragon Bravo Fire was sparked by lightning in early July. It burned for about a week before rapidly intensifying into a fast-moving conflagration that forced evacuations and destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge along with numerous cabins.
Visitors to the reopened areas are advised to be fully self-sufficient, bringing all necessary food, water, and supplies. Initially, there will be no power, running water, cell service, or visitor services available. Hazards remain in the area, including dead standing trees and an increased potential for flash floods—even outside the fire scar.
The National Park Service has defended its handling of the fire, stating that a sudden and extreme shift in the wind far exceeded forecasts. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of Arizona’s elected officials questioned the response, suggesting that more could have been done in the early stages of the fire.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs met with federal officials following the fire and said U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has committed to an independent review of the incident.
Ultimately, the fire burned across more than 227 square miles (589 square kilometers), leaving a lasting impact on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.
https://ktar.com/ap-new/grand-canyon-national-park-will-reopen-portions-of-north-rim-after-destructive-wildfire-subsides/5754609/