Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
AP
–
Parts of the North Rim in the Grand Canyon will resume shortly after wildfires destroyed historic lodges and dozens of structures, the National Park Service announced Thursday.
Daytime access will begin on October 1, including Point Imperial, the highest oversight in the park at the eastern edge of the Grand Canyon and Cape Royal Overlook, Park Services said in a news release.
These areas will remain open until November 30th, but may close early if there is significant snowfall. The more remote north edge is historically open seasonally, with the park’s South Rim open all year round.
Grand Canyon officials say many of the North Rims, including the popular trails, will be closed in the near future due to safety concerns and efforts to recover from wildfires.
Hazards increase the risk of flash floods even outside of deadly status trees and fire scars, the Parks Bureau said. Additionally, there is no electricity, running water or cell service in the North Rim, so visitors must have food, water and supplies, Park Service said.
Dragon Bravo Fire was caused by Lightning in early July. Park services allowed them to burn out for several days before being evacuated and explode into a fast-moving, massive fire that consumes the Grand Canyon Lodge, several cabins and other structures.
Park Services defended the fire handling, saying that sudden, extreme changes in the wind have far surpassed expectations.
A bipartisan slate of Arizona’s elected officials suggested that more could have been done earlier to prevent the fire from spreading. Gov. Katie Hobbs met with federal officials and said US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum had committed to an independent review.
The fire eventually burned over 227 square miles.
