Fire on the North Rim: What You Need to Know

As many of you have heard, Northern Arizona—particularly the North Rim of the Grand Canyon—has been impacted by multiple wildfires. Understandably, these fires are a major concern for those both within and outside the Grand Canyon community, and with that concern comes a wave of questions.

Over the course of these events, we at Hatch have received a number of inquiries—from the condition of the area to whether our trips are still running. I wanted to take a moment to address some of the most common and important questions we’ve been hearing.

What is the name of the fire on the North Rim?

The wildfire currently burning on the North Rim is called the Dragon Bravo Fire. Wildfires are typically named after the area where they start, and this one is located in the Dragon Corridor—a designated flight route over the Grand Canyon. For reference, there are four major flight corridors over the canyon: Tuckup, Fossil Canyon, Dragon, and Zuni.

How many acres has the fire burned?

As of August 13, 2025, the Dragon Bravo Fire has burned approximately 144,432 acres.

How contained is the fire?

Currently, the fire is about 44% contained (as of August 13, 2025).

Now that we’ve covered some general facts about the fire, let’s move on to the questions we’re hearing most often in the office.

Are your river trips still launching?

Yes! The fire has not affected our ability to launch trips. The bottom of the canyon remains completely safe from the fire, and all of our scheduled trips are operating as planned.

Will there be smoke on the river?

Possibly—but not everywhere. Smoke conditions vary depending on wind patterns. While some areas of the canyon may have noticeable smoke, others remain perfectly clear. That said, the majority of smoke tends to linger in the upper sections of the canyon. If you do encounter smoke, it likely won’t disrupt your experience—at most, you might leave with a hint of campfire scent.

Will I see the fire while on the river?

No. While wildfire behavior can be unpredictable, this fire has remained on the rim of the canyon and is not visible from the river. Those deep inside the canyon will not see flames or active fire zones.

Although the Dragon Bravo Fire has caused significant damage to the North Rim, we are grateful that the inner canyon remains untouched and safe from its flames. We are closely monitoring the situation and remain committed to ensuring a safe and unforgettable experience for all our guests.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any additional questions—we’re here to help.

Grand Canyon National Park has livestreams of different views at the canyon, if you would like to see the condition of the smoke click here! (Note these cameras are located at the rim level, and may not accurately reflect the smoke impacts at river level.)