Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: July 28-August 1, 2025

Navigating Change: A Message from Superintendent Ed Keable on the North Rim and Dragon Bravo Fire

As we look to the North Rim, we can all see that the Dragon Bravo Fire continues to burn. It likely will burn for a while longer given the extremely dry conditions and the lack of monsoon rains. Many of us have deep connections to the North Rim and the people and places that make that a special place.

We are in a time of transition, with our personal experiences at the North Rim, our professional lives within the Park, and with the daily transitions that are occurring. Transitions can be hard as we leave the known and comfortable and enter uncharted territory. That is how I feel about the North Rim. I’m sure many of you feel that way too. But, transitions allow us to think differently, allow us to be unconstrained in our ideas and possibilities. That is also how I feel, and I hope many of you feel that way too.

Our management team continues to evolve and transition in response to the needs of our staff, our community and the Dragon Bravo itself. You may notice new faces in the park from time to time, dedicated professionals who are here to help support us as we face an uncertain future and rebuilding of cherished landscapes. The destruction wrought by the fire is hard to fathom, and we acknowledge the emotional toll it has taken on all of us.

Please remember to take care of yourselves and each other. This is a hard time for all, and I encourage you all to find places and things that provide you joy and peace so you can be ready and available for whatever transitions are ahead.

-Ed

Dragon Bravo Fire Update – Red Flag Weather Predicted (July 31, 2025)

The Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has now burned 105,415 acres and is 9% contained. The fire began on July 4 due to lightning and continues to burn in mixed conifer and ponderosa pine forests.

Today, a localized red-flag warning is in effect for the fire area. Winds may gust up to 35 mph, humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 8%, and fuel moisture is critically low. These conditions can lead to rapid fire growth.

Current Operations:

• Fire crews are reinforcing containment lines along Forest Road 213 in the north and Forest Road 22 west of Highway 67 to protect Kaibab Lodge and the park entrance station.
• Cultural sites on Walhalla Plateau are being protected.
• Cape Royal and Point Imperial have been cleared but remain closed to the public.
• There is potential for the fire to slow or stop if it reaches the burn scar from the 2018 Obi Fire.

Closures:

• The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park remains closed for the foreseeable future.
• State Route 67 is closed, but U.S. Route 89A has reopened.
• Some facilities near Jacob Lake, including the Kaibab Camper Village and Jacob Lake Inn, are open, but most of the surrounding Kaibab National Forest remains closed.

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.

In response to the Dragon Bravo Fire, the Western Incident Management Team, in cooperation with Grand Canyon’s Facility Management Division (FMD) launched Operation Housing, a focused effort to prepare permanent housing on the South Rim for staff evacuated from the North Rim. A total of 13 employees from parks across the country were deployed to the South Rim to support this critical mission.

The team is working alongside FMD to rehabilitate 18 housing units, making necessary repairs to ensure they are safe and move-in ready. Several homes are already complete and ready for occupancy, while many others are still undergoing repairs. Renovations at some Desert View housing units are currently underway to further increase housing options for displaced staff.

“This effort is critical in helping our North Rim employees reestablish some stability after the Dragon Bravo Fire,” said Katie Morris, Acting Deputy Superintendent of Operations. “We are incredibly grateful to the teams who came together so quickly to support our employees during this difficult time.”

Operation Housing is an ongoing effort designed to ensure permanent housing is available for employees who lost access to their homes during the fire. This project highlights the dedication of the NPS community and the strength of inter-park collaboration during challenging times.

Because of the anticipated lack of monsoonal moisture over the next week as well as the continued high fire danger, every household should have a “Go Bag” ready in case evacuation becomes necessary. Your Go Bag should be sturdy, easy to carry, and contain essential items to support you and your family for up to 72 hours.

Recommended items include:

• Bottled water (one gallon per person per day)
• Nonperishable food and manual can opener
• First aid kit and necessary medications
• Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, wipes, etc.)
• Flashlight, radio, and extra batteries
• Copies of important documents in a waterproof container
• Cash in small bills
• Spare keys, local maps, and a whistle
• Supplies for pets and service animals
• Cell phone chargers and backup batteries
• N95 masks for smoke protection

For a comprehensive checklist, visit Build A Kit | Ready.gov

Hidden Life of the Cambrian: New Soft-Bodied Fossils Discovered in Grand Canyon’s Bright Angel Formation

About half a billion years ago, the Cambrian Period sparked a burst of evolution giving rise to most major animal groups. The majority of fossils known from this time come from a handful of sites around the world that contain rare preservation of soft-bodied creatures under low-oxygen conditions.

Scientists have now uncovered Cambrian soft-bodied fossils in an unexpected place: the Bright Angel Formation of Grand Canyon. These rocks were once thought to preserve mainly hard shells and trace fossils under high oxygen conditions not suitable for soft-bodied preservation. However, by dissolving shale and examining microscopic fragments, Paleontologist Giovanni Mussini identified a new species of marine worm—Kraytdraco spectatus, named after the Star Wars Krayt dragon.

Together with trace fossils and their newly discovered soft-bodied trace makers, these Grand Canyon rocks now paint a more complete and dynamic picture of early animal diversification during the Cambrian Period.

The full paper, published last week, can be viewed here.

Happy World Ranger Day! Behind the Scenery Podcast Release

Celebrate World Ranger Day on July 31 with the new episode “Many Hats of a Park Ranger – Part 2”, featuring Grand Canyon Law Enforcement Rangers at Phantom Ranch. Hear how they juggle roles like cobbler, interpreter, and Junior Ranger sheriff—and what makes them proudest.

Listen/download on NPS Podcasts or Apple podcasts.

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, July 31-August 2, 2025

Note: with the Watchtower being closed on Friday, August 1, the artists will be demonstrating outside of the tower.

• Darren Seweyestewa – Hopi Silversmith
• Evanette Sockyma – Hopi Basket Weaver
• Kevin Quannie – Hopi Painter and Kachina Carver

➡️Monday and Tuesday, August 4-5, 2025

• April Unkestine  – Zuni Silversmith
• Gloria Chee – Diné (Navajo) Beadworker and Wood Carver
• Leo Chee – Diné (Navajo) Silversmith

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

Special Presentations with Audré Etsitty, Diné Equine Therapist

With over 10 years of experience, Audré has guided horses and riders through programs like “Horses Connecting Communities” and “Song of the Horse Camp.” A 2024 Henry Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow and certified Equine Facilitated Learning instructor, she blends traditional Diné knowledge with equine therapy and is developing a Diné-based healing program for her community.

• Evening Program – Wednesday, August 6 – 7:45 p.m. – Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater
• Sunset Talk – Grand Canyon Speaks interview – Thursday, August 7, 6:30 p.m. – Desert View Amphitheater.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Movie Night Under the Stars—Thursday, July 31

The Kaibab Learning Center is sponsoring a food sale and movie night on Thursday, July 17. The food sale begins at 7 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Rec Center Ramada with the movie, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ starting at 7:30 p.m.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Native Taco Night and Community Support for North Rim Staff

Join Grand Canyon community members on Saturday, August 3 for a Native Taco event at the Grand Canyon Rec Center. Help is needed for cooking and serving beginning at 3 p.m.

This event is funded through the generosity of community members and the Grand Canyon Union Organizing Committee. More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

DJ Dance Party at Rec Center — Sun., Aug. 2

On Sunday, August 2, the GRCA Union Committee and NTEU will be hosting a dance party at the Grand Canyon Recreation Center from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Popsicles and bubbly waters will be provided.

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.
• All GCC stores will be closed on Friday, August 1.
• 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. All GCC stores will be closed on Friday, August 1.
• 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.

North Rim

• North Rim visitor services will remain closed for the 2025 season.

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

• Star trails and stacking exposure with the Dragon Bravo Fire in the distance, July 25 (Photo courtesy of Lauren Cisneros)
• Ed Keable and incoming agency administrator, Eric Smith (NPS) during an ISAP meeting at the Dragon Bravo Incident Command Post on July 31. ISAP is a collaborative approach for Incident Management Teams and Agency Administrators to develop, discuss, and communicate response strategy during wildland fire and all-hazard incidents. (NPS Photo)
• Bison near the North Rim Entrance/mile marker 1 on July 30. (CIMT Photo)
• The North Rim Entrance Station on July 30, wrapped in aluminized structure wrap (ASW) to protect against fire (CIMT Photo)
• Operation Housing collage photos showing interior work in several housing units (NPS Photos)
• Evanette Sockyma – Hopi Basket Weaver (NPS Photos)
• Audré Etsitty, Diné Equine Therapist (Photo courtesy of A. Etsitty)
• Krayt worm artist rendition courtesy of Rhydian Evans.
• A member of the Helicopter Training Academy at the South Rim helibase (NPS Photo)