Smoke billows over Grand Canyon after fire decimates lodge. See photos.
Billowing smoke and orange haze intruded on tourist photos at Grand Canyon National Park after wildfires burned in the area on July 13.
Two wildfires continued to burn in northern Arizona through the weekend, ravaging more than 45,000 acres in total, according to officials.
The Dragon Bravo fire at the park's North Rim was sparked by lightning on July 4, park officials said July 10. While the blaze was initially managed by first responders, it began to spread from strong wind gusts on July 11, officials said.
It has since decimated the Grand Canyon Lodge, a historic hotel in the North Rim, as well as dozens of other structures, according to National Park Service officials. No injuries have been reported as of July 13.
Another fire about 30 miles away — the White Sage fire — has burned since a July 9 thunderstorm in the area, according to the government's fire tracker.
While the North Rim is closed, photos from the South Rim on July 13 show signs of a blaze in the area.
Grand Canyon Lodge before being decimated in wildfire
Wildfire smoke visible as tourists stop at Grand Canyon's South Rim
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for Paste BN. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.