COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — Stage 2 fire restrictions will go into effect July 17 for Grand Canyon National Park due to the high threat of wildfire danger in the region. The U.S. Department of Interior said the restrictions will be applied to the South Rim and all other areas of the park.

The destruction caused by this fire is a reminder of how vulnerable our national parks and residents nearby are to the impacts of a changing climate. NPCA stands ready to support efforts to rebuild and restore what’s been lost and ensure the National Park Service has the resources it needs to protect the Grand Canyon experience for the millions of visitors who travel there each year.

A new report has calculated that making national parks the responsibility of states would raise costs, cut revenue and reduce access for Arizonans.

What fueled the explosive growth of the Dragon Bravo Fire was a mix of gusty winds, dry air and above-normal heat – weather conditions experts described as atypical for this time of year, when monsoonal moisture typically tamps down wildfire risk across Arizona.

The lightning-sparked South Rim fire in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has burned 3,556 acres with no containment and mandatory evacuations remain in place.

The Grand Canyon National Park is also under an extreme heat warning through the weekend, with temperatures expected to reach 115 degrees in low elevations.

The historic Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim was destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire, which officials say has consumed between 50 to 80 structures.