Coconino County leaders provided an update on the recovery from the 2025 Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires during a luncheon in Kanab this month. According to a report published August 26, officials informed local business leaders that reopening the Grand Canyon's North Rim is only one part of a much longer regional recovery process.
The meeting, held at the Hampton Inn for the Kanab Area Chamber of Commerce, included presentations from Coconino County Emergency Management Director Tim Carter, Economic Development Director John Saltonstall, and District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler. The speakers detailed the Grand Canyon Region Long-Term Recovery Plan, which was developed after the 2025 wildfires burned over 200,000 acres across the North Rim and Kaibab Plateau.
The fires resulted in the destruction of the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and caused disruptions to ranching, tourism, recreation, and various communities throughout southern Utah and northern Arizona. Coconino County adopted the recovery plan in March following input from local, federal, and Tribal partners, as well as community surveys and listening sessions. The plan includes action items for natural and cultural resources, tourism and economic recovery, and other long-term requirements.
Officials emphasized that the North Rim is open to visitors, noting that all paved roads within the park have reopened for the 2026 season, including Highway 67 and the roads leading to Point Imperial and Cape Royal. Additionally, the North Kaibab Trail is open to foot traffic and the North Rim Campground reopened on June 1.
Despite these openings, visitor services remain limited, and overnight lodging is unavailable inside the North Rim this season. Some facilities and trails also remain closed while recovery work continues. District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler and Kane County Tourism Director Janette Peatross encouraged attendees to help combat the perception that the North Rim and northern Arizona remain closed.
The recovery effort requires participation beyond county government, with officials encouraging businesses and communities throughout the region to stay involved. The full recovery plan and further resources can be found on Coconino County's Economic Recovery Resources webpage.
