An official says a historic Grand Canyon lodge has been destroyed by wildfire

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK Ariz AP A historic lodge on the Grand Canyon s North Rim has been destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire the park stated Sunday The Grand Canyon Lodge the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim was consumed by the flames park Superintendent Ed Keeble communicated park residents staff and others in a meeting Sunday morning He reported the visitor center the gas station a waste water rehabilitation plant an administrative building and specific employee housing also were lost Two wildfires are burning at or near the North Rim known as the White Sage Fire and the Bravo Dragon fire The latter is the one that impacted the lodge and other structures The park initially was managing it as a controlled burn but then shifted to suppression as it rapidly grew fire representatives noted Millions of people visit Grand Canyon National Park annually with bulk going to the more popular South Rim The North Rim is open seasonally It was evacuated last Thursday because of wildfire The burning of the waste water medicine plant resulted in the release of chlorine gas that prompted the evacuation of firefighters and hikers from the inner canyon park executives noted Sunday Chlorine gas is heavier than air and can briskly settle into lower elevations such as the inner canyon posing a vitality pitfall Source