Photo courtesy of Lauren Cisneros Current ClosuresDue to the smoke accumulation in the inner canyon resulting from Dragon Bravo Fire, and impaired emergency response access in the smoke-filled canyon, the following areas are closed to all visitor use: North Rim Dragon Bravo Fire Information & RecoveryFrequently Asked Questions As of July 27, the Dragon Bravo fire is still active. Please check the fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azgcp-dragon-bravo-fire for current information including acreage, closure areas, and fire behavior.
On July 10, the National Park Service evacuated approximately 500 visitors from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon due to the threat of losing access to Highway 67 by the White Sage Fire which was burning to the north on BLM lands and the Kaibab National Forest.
On July 11, the National Park Service evacuated more than 400 park, concession, and Grand Canyon Conservancy staff due to the rapidly growing Dragon Bravo Fire. The 54 mules with Canyon Trail Rides were evacuated on July 13. No lives were lost, and no injuries have been reported as a result of the Dragon Bravo Fire. Shelter for evacuated NPS staff and volunteers was established at the South Rim, where lodging, food, and support services were made available. Employment opportunities are being identified for displaced NPS staff.
The North Rim based concession companies and Grand Canyon Conservancy are coordinating resources for their impacted staff. The Brighty statue was heavily damaged due to the fire. Future plans for restoring or commemorating Brighty are being discussed as part of the North Rim recovery efforts. The statue holds deep meaning for many visitors, and the park is committed to honoring that legacy in future planning.
The North Kaibab, Phantom Ranch, the lower Bright Angel Trail, and the entire South Kaibab Trail will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to unhealthy air quality concerns and other potential safety risks for staff and visitors.
Air quality assessments are ongoing, and these trails could be reopened when air quality is improved. Current air quality information for the inner canyon can be found on this website: US EPA PM2.5 by PurpleAir Within the main inner canyon corridor, visitors can use the Bright Angel Trail to hike to Havasupai Gardens and back to the South Rim.
There are additional trails outside of the main inner canyon corridor that are open; however, these routes are significantly more strenuous, lack reliable water sources, and are not recommended for most hikers—especially in summer conditions. With the trails that are currently closed, there’s not a safe alternative to complete a South Rim to river to South Rim hike in one day. While the Dragon Bravo fire spread on the North Rim, most of the construction workers in the inner canyon were already on a scheduled break. Construction crews returned from their scheduled break on July 17 and resumed working at various job sites on the South Rim and in the inner canyon between Plateau Point Trail and the Phantom Delta. The contractor is monitoring the air quality and has a safety plan in place with mitigation measures and personal protective equipment requirements to enable them to work at inner canyon construction sites.
Transcanyon Waterline project management staff members are coordinating closely with the incident management team, park leadership, safety managers and the park aviation manager to ensure construction crews can return to their job sites in the inner canyon. Project management staff members don't foresee any major impacts for the project, but there will likely be some short-term work adjustments. The National Park Service Wildland Fire Management Post-Fire Program is dedicated to protecting lives, property, and resources while promoting the restoration, maintenance, and integrity of ecosystems. Post-fire management consists of four activities: Suppression Damage Repair, Emergency Stabilization, Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR), and Restoration. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Teams are composed of resource professionals who conduct post wildfire assessments and develop plans that address threats to life, property, and natural and cultural resources. A BAER team has deployed to the park to rapidly evaluate the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization treatments. The stabilization work begins before the fire is out and may continue for up to a year. The BAR program is a longer-term rehabilitation effort to repair damage caused by the fire, and it begins after the fire is out and usually continues for up to five years. Decisions about reopening parts of the North Rim for the 2026 season following the Dragon Bravo Fire will be determined at a future date. At this time, the park is focused on emergency stabilization work to protect remaining infrastructure, restore basic utilities, and assess long-term damage to facilities, roads, and natural resources.
Air Quality on South Rim of Grand Canyon
NPS Photo/M. Jenkins |
Last updated: July 28, 2025