FLAGSTAFF, AZ — The Grand Canyon Trust is devastated by the losses on the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park from the Dragon Bravo Fire.
For many, the North Rim and its iconic Grand Canyon Lodge offer the rare opportunity to get off the beaten path and take in the splendor of one of the many beautiful sides of the Grand Canyon. The loss of park infrastructure and the closure of the North Rim will profoundly impact the livelihoods of park staff, residents, communities, businesses, affiliated tribal members, and national park visitors from around the world.
We are especially grateful for the rapid evacuations and no loss of human life on the North Rim, and we commend the firefighters and agency personnel who continue to work tirelessly during what is becoming a grueling fire season across the Colorado Plateau. From the Oak Ridge Fire on the Navajo Nation to the fires on the North Rim, we are witnessing larger, more intense fires, due in part to persistent drought and ongoing climate change.
Once the fire is out and firefighters are out of harm’s way, it will be important to understand why the fire burned as it did and whether and how these incredible losses could have been avoided. In that assessment, it’s important to remember — and without rushing to judgement — that the decisions facing fire managers are almost always tough and complex, with some factors contributing to those decisions more predictable and certain, and some less so.
As we come to understand more, lessons learned need to be directed toward strengthening fire management at the Grand Canyon and beyond, not discontinuing it.
For 40 years, the Grand Canyon Trust has stood steadfast in support of the people, lands, and waters of the Grand Canyon and the surrounding communities. We will continue to do so in the months and years it takes to rebuild. We know that the Grand Canyon has always been a place that brings out the best in us, and rising to meet the challenges of this moment will require exactly that. This tragedy reminds us that the Grand Canyon has left an impression on millions of people worldwide, and we must work every day to protect it. We are truly inspired by the people who have reached out to ask what they can do to help.
In the short term, the greatest need is support for the relief effort, and we encourage people to donate to the Grand Canyon Conservancy Disaster Relief Fund. Funds will be used to help displaced North Rim residents, meet critical needs, and support restoration. In the coming months and years, rebuilding what has been lost will take on-the-ground volunteers to amplify the National Park Service’s efforts. Please consider signing up for our volunteer email list to find out how you can be part of the effort to help restore the Grand Canyon.
In so many ways, what was lost was irreplaceable. But restoring and rebuilding will happen, and we are absolutely confident it will be done in a way that honors what was lost and also honors the enduring resiliency of the Grand Canyon.
For media inquiries, contact: Ellen Heyn, Digital Media Director, (928) 286-3369
