Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Aug. 11-15, 2025

Dragon Bravo Fire Update – Aug. 14

The Dragon Bravo Fire is currently 144,432 acres. Containment has risen to 54%, with recent progress around the Wahalla Plateau, Point Imperial, and the fire’s northern tip. As containment grows, crews are shifting focus to suppression repair—mitigating impacts from firefighting actions while remaining ready to respond if fire activity increases.

Retardant drops continue on the southern flank below the Wahalla Plateau, where conditions remain unsafe for ground crews. Along Highway 67, firefighters are clearing brush and removing hazard trees to improve safety. Contingency lines are also being built in case of increased fire activity.

State Route 67 and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will remain closed for the rest of the 2025 season.

For the latest fire and closure information, visit:

• GRCA North Rim Status: nps.gov/grca/northrimstatus.htm
• Kaibab National Forest: fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab

Smoke will remain visible from surrounding areas, including the South Rim. Visitors and residents are encouraged to monitor air quality atoutlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net.

For the latest fire information updates, please visit the CIMT Inciweb page here.

(Information provided from NOAA/National Weather Service, Flagstaff, AZ)

Following the Dragon Bravo Fire, areas downhill and downstream of the burn scar face an increased risk of flash flooding and debris flows. Wildfires remove vegetation that normally absorbs rainfall and create a waxy soil surface that repels water.

As a result, much of the rainfall becomes rapid runoff, which can trigger flash flooding. In steep terrain, this runoff can also generate debris flows – fast-moving, destructive landslides of water, ash, mud, rocks, and trees capable of damaging buildings, roads, and infrastructure, even miles downstream.

The Dragon Bravo fire affected multiple North Rim watersheds that drain into the Colorado River (see USGS map on page 3 of this report). Burned watersheds with enhanced flood and debris flow risk include: House Rock/Rider Canyon, North Canyon, South Canyon, Kwagunt Creek, Malgosa Canyon, Awatubi Canyon, 60-Mile Canyon, Bright Angel Creek (including Phantom Ranch), Crystal Creek, and Clear Creek.

Drainages vary in size, with some extending over 13 miles from the North Rim to the Colorado River. Rainfall at the top of the rim may take 2 to 4 hours or more to reach the river. However, flash flooding within or near the burn area can occur within minutes of heavy rainfall. The timing and severity of floods depend on fire intensity, terrain steepness, and rainfall rates. Steep slopes in severely burned areas present the highest risk. Even areas historically unlikely to flood may now be vulnerable. Most burn areas will remain at elevated risk for at least 2 years, with impacts diminishing as vegetation re-grows over the area and soils stabilize.

This is an initial assessment and will be updated as we receive more information from additional flash flood and debris flow assessments following the active wildfire.

To sign up for local emergency alerts through Grand Canyon National Park, sign up via the Everbridge sign up form here.

Bottom photo: Kaibab Cochliodont fish tooth discovered on the North Rim in 2019

Did you know that large, jawed fish once swam through the waters that covered the Grand Canyon’s rim—back when the region was part of a vast ocean nearly 270 million years ago?

A fossilized tooth plate discovered in the Kaibab Limestone marks the first record of Crassidonta stuckenbergi in Arizona. Related to modern ratfish, this shark-like fish had previously only been found in Wyoming and Russia—until its discovery on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in 2019.

This remarkable find suggests that Arizona’s ancient seas were more interconnected with far-reaching marine ecosystems than previously believed. It provides researchers with new insights into the biodiversity and evolutionary history of the Permian Period, offering a rare glimpse into the life that existed long before the canyon itself took shape. How cool is that?!

For more details, you can read the full research publication here.

The Special Projects crew is currently undertaking careful restoration of the historic Verkamp’s Visitor Center porch, stripping away years of weathered, layered paint to uncover the original woodwork beneath. Working methodically to preserve the integrity of the structure, the team is using hand tools and sanding techniques to remove buildup without damaging the historic fabric.

Once the surface is fully prepared, it will be refinished to match its original sheen, restoring the porch’s classic appearance and protecting it for years to come. This in-progress effort is breathing new life into one of the South Rim’s historically significant buildings.

Grand Canyon Incident Report Available

Grand Canyon Law Enforcement has combined significant incidents from all districts including the South Rim, Canyon District, and the North Rim.

See the latest Incident Report:

Grand Canyon Incident Report Ending July 28, 2025

Employee Spotlight!

Megan Quinn – Fire Resiliency Intern

Megan grew up in Holland, Michigan, where she spent much of her time outdoors—hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and making trips to the Upper Peninsula to enjoy its stunning landscapes. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Northern Michigan University, where she participated in internships and research projects focused on bird ecology. Her work explored chickadee foraging behavior and the effects of forest fragmentation on bird communities.

Through these experiences, Megan discovered her passion for conserving natural resources and understanding the link between climate change and wildfires. She later moved to Arizona to earn a Master’s degree in Biology from Northern Arizona University, researching how wildfires impact pollinator habitats. Her studies also emphasized the importance of science communication in engaging the public and shaping policy around wildfire management.

Megan is committed to educating others about the risks and impacts of climate change, while actively working to implement practical solutions that mitigate environmental harm.

Megan’s role at Grand Canyon

A month ago, Megan began her role as the Fire Resiliency Intern for Grand Canyon National Park. She works closely with Lisa Handforth, the Grand Canyon Fire Ecologist, on climate adaptation planning for the Park. While drought, wildfire, and erosion are natural processes, climate change intensifies their frequency and severity. Megan and Lisa use scientific research to help the Park anticipate and prepare for these events in the future.

As a more recent development in her internship, Megan connects the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with resources to stabilize hazardous materials from structures impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire. This effort includes deploying tarps, erosion control blankets, and soil stabilizers to prevent contaminants from entering the surrounding environment. In addition, she is conducting research on the ecological effects of fire retardants, providing valuable insights for the North Rim during this time.

Looking to the future

In her internship, Megan has enjoyed seeing parts of Grand Canyon she never expected to see. While working on hydrology restoration projects, Megan gets to experience parts of the Park that are often overlooked by most visitors. She recognizes how beautiful and important this landmark is ecologically and culturally and is excited to continue devising and implementing solutions for climate adaptation in the months to come!

Cultural Demonstrators at Desert View Watchtower

Demonstrations take place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Desert View Watchtower.

➡️Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 14, 15, and 16

• Arielle Tsinigine  (Diné/Navajo) – Contemporary beadworker combining traditional methods with modern style and personal storytelling.

➡️Monday and Tuesday, August 18 and 19

• Gary Elthie (Diné/Navajo) – Painter and traditional singer and drummer preserving sacred and social songs through live performance.
• Elsie Elthie (Diné/Navajo) – Beadworker and singer whose voice shares cultural narratives and community history through music.

More information on the Cultural Demonstration Program can be found here.

Special Cultural Performances — August 18 and 19

Join Gary Elthie and Sam Anderson from the Diné (Navajo) Nation for an evening of traditional and contemporary Native American music and dance, including performances from their Diné heritage.

• Monday August 18 – Outside Desert View Watchtower – 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 19 – Outside Hopi House in the Village – 6:30 p.m.

Desert View programming has also made a few changes for the remainder of the season. Sunset Talks and regularly scheduled Grand Canyon Speaks programs will end on Thursday, August 28. See the attached flyer here for more information.

Healing Gathering for the North Rim – Monday, August 25

The Grand Canyon community is invited to a special gathering at Shoshone Point on Monday, August 25, to reflect on the impacts of the Dragon Bravo Fire and engage in dialogue with Tribal Communities. Tribal voices will guide the discussion, which may include stories, prayers, songs, and insights into fire as part of the ecosystem.

The gathering begins at 10 a.m., with participants meeting at 9:30 a.m. and walking to Shoshone Point. This event is open to Grand Canyon employees, Tribal Community members, and others whose lives have been touched by the fire.

Parking is limited; attendees are encouraged to carpool. Accommodations can be made for those unable to walk to the site. For questions on this gathering, please email: RisingBuffalo_Maybee@nps.gov.

Grand Canyon School District Hiring Substitute Teachers

The Grand Canyon Unified School District is currently hiring substitute teachers for the 2025-2026 school year!

For more information on qualifications on how to apply, please see the attached flyer here.

Community Blood Drives on Sep. 5 and 6 in Grand Canyon and Tusayan

The Grand Canyon Rec Center and the Tusayan Fire Department will host their own respective blood drives through Vitalant on Friday, Sept. 5 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Rec Center and on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Tusayan Fire Department.

Appointments are suggested, and to schedule, individuals can visit www.donors.vitalant.org. Vitalant is the supplier to 96% of Arizona hospitals including the Flagstaff Medical Center.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Food Court, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 12-10 p.m. (food until 9:30 p.m.)
• Bright Angel Fountain, 5:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, (food until 9 p.m.)
• Arizona Steakhouse – Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge – Breakfast 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9:30 p.m., Lounge 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (food until 9:30 p.m.)
• The Grand Canyon Kennel, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
• Fred Harvey Food Truck at Grand Canyon Visitor Center, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Delaware North

• Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast 7-10:30 a.m., dinner 5-9 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Camper Services, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
• Mather Campground Store, 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
• Trailer Village Kiosk, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. through Labor Day
• Canyon Adventures Bike Tours and Cafe: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Verkamp’s & Yavapai Geology Museum: 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Visitor Center Plaza: 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Kolb Studio: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center): Full class schedule can be found here. Use discount GCLOCALS at checkout.
• Shuttle Bus Summer Schedule (May 24-Sep. 7, 2025)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: 8:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Village (Blue) Route: 6:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 6:00 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 4, 5, and 6 a.m.
• Tusayan (Purple) Route, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. with service every 45 minutes
• Inner Canyon:
• CLOSED: River Trail east of River Resthouse to South Kaibab Trail junction: Oct. 21, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025
• CLOSED: Silver Bridge: Oct. 21, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025
• CLOSED: South Kaibab Trail, North Kaibab Trail, Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens due to air quality concerns.

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post, ice cream, and coffee shop, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower and store, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. with the last tower access at 5 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli and Market, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Desert View gas station (24 hours), retail: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

• Brighty prepares for his journey to the South Rim on August 14 (USFS Photo/M. Terlep)
• Example of a Cochliodont Holocephalan fish (Hodnett et al., 2025)
• Kaibab Cochliodont fish tooth discovered on the North Rim in 2019
• Verkamp’s Visitor Center porch (before and after restoration work) (NPS Photos)
• Megan Quinn, Fire Resiliency Intern (Photo courtesy of M. Quinn)
• Beadwork by Arielle Tsinigine (NPS Photo)
• Gary and Elsie Elthie – Photo courtesy of Gary Elthie
• Shoshone Point rainbow (NPS Photo)
• Brighty outside the North Rim Visitor Center sign on August 14 (USFS Photo/M. Terlep)