Grand Canyon North Rim closed amid raging wildfires
USA Today1 day
Grand Canyon Lodge Destroyed in Arizona Wildfire
Above: In this handout image a firefighter stands near smoldering debris near the Grand Canyon Lodge on July 13, 2025. Image copyright: Grand Canyon National Park/Getty Images
The Spin
Government-critical narrative
The federal government's reckless decision to treat this fire as a controlled burn during Arizona's driest, hottest summer conditions directly led to this catastrophic destruction. Officials had over a week to aggressively fight the fire but instead allowed it to explode in size. This preventable disaster demands a comprehensive investigation into the failed federal emergency response.
Pro-government narrative
Federal firefighters made responsible decisions based on real-time data and local conditions and established fire science protocols when initially managing the fire. The allegations of treating this as a controlled burn are completely inaccurate, as wildland fire experts understand the clear distinction between management strategies. The unpredictability of this fire required rapid tactical adjustments.