Satellite Images Show Devastating Reach of Wildfire Engulfing Arizona
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New satellite images released by NASA have captured the dramatic progression of two fires that set off in Arizona near the Grand Canyon National Park.
One image captured by MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Aqua satellite shows the smoke spreading from the fires on July 12.
The Dragon Bravo fire, which took place closer to the Grand Canyon, was sparked by a lightning on July 4, flaring up days later on July 11 amid extreme heat, with northwest winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour.
The fast-moving fire destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge and dozens of other structures on the North Rim of the national park. Built in 1928, the historic venue was the only lodging available to visitors inside the park on the North Rim.
A NASA satellite image showing smoke spreading from the fires on July 12. A NASA satellite image showing smoke spreading from the fires on July 12. NASA Earth Observatory
“Fire managers have confirmed the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous historic cabins in the developed area,” the Grand Canyon National Park said in a statement.
No death or injuries were reported in the Dragon Bravo fire, but a water treatment plant was also destroyed in the blaze, releasing chlorine gas and creating a more dangerous situation for firefighters.
NASA satellites also detected the White Sage fire, around 35 miles north of the Dragon Bravo blaze, on July 10 after authorities first received reports of it on July 9.
A NASA satellite image from capturing the progression of the White Sage fire. A NASA satellite image from capturing the progression of the White Sage fire. NASA Earth Observatory
Hot, dry and windy conditions saw the White Sage fire spread quickly over the following three days.
Dead trees left from the 2020 Magnum fire contributed to the rapid spread of the White Sage blaze, according to firefighting and forest management teams in the region.
Images from NASA’s OLI (Operational Land Imager) and OLI-2 on Landsat 8 and 9 captured the fire’s progression on July 12 and July 13.
The images highlight the recently burned landscape as brown, while bright orange indicates the infrared signature of actively burning fires, and the unburned vegetated areas are shown as green.
A view of the smoke rising over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, captured from the South Rim on July 11. A view of the smoke rising over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, captured from the South Rim on July 11. National Park Service
The fire was reported to have burned nearly 50,000 acres, with zero percent contained, as of Monday. Evacuation orders have been issued by Coconino County for communities along State Route 67 between North Rim and Jacob Lake.
National Park Service (NPS) officials are assessing the damage and monitor hazardous areas for safety, with plans for the restoration and rebuilding of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim expected to begin after the threat of the fires subsides.
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