A small fire in the Grand Canyon quickly intensified into a devastating blaze

The Dragon Bravo Fire, which started on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, has been a source of concern for many in Arizona. The fire, which was initially treated as a controlled burn to benefit the area's ecology, has since grown to more than 145,000 acres as of Saturday and is currently 63% contained.

The fire destroyed 70 buildings, including the Grand Canyon Lodge, which had been redesigned and rebuilt after burning down four years after its original completion in 1928. The lodge's destruction has sparked outrage, with Arizona's residents demanding answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park.

The fire's management has come under scrutiny, with both of Arizona's Democratic senators calling for investigations. The focus of these investigations is the federal government's decision to manage the fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer.

The Hermit's Peak fire in New Mexico in 2022 serves as a stark reminder of what can go wrong with controlled burns. The fire, which started with a controlled burn that got out of control and exploded to more than 300,000 acres, has been seen as an example of what can happen when such decisions are made under unfavourable conditions.

The Dragon Bravo Fire, like the Hermit's Peak fire, was influenced by unexpected weather conditions and challenging terrain. The fire created its own weather, sending pyrocumulus clouds billowing hundreds of feet into the air and dense smoke streaming down into the canyon.

Before European settlers arrived in the American West and started suppressing fire at every turn, forests and grasslands burned on a regular basis, sometimes about once a decade. The logic behind intentionally igniting fires on wild land, or containing natural fires without attempting to extinguish them, is based on the fact that fires have long been part of the West's landscape and are deemed essential for its ecological health.

However, the Southwest region depends on late summer monsoons to replenish moisture in trees and plants, making them less likely to burn. The Dragon Bravo Fire started before the expected monsoon season, increasing the risk of wildfire.

The National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have experienced federal cuts, potentially affecting the accuracy of weather predictions for fires. The role of these institutions in the management of the Dragon Bravo Fire is a key part of the ongoing investigation.

Arizona's Governor Katie Hobbs has demanded "intense oversight and scrutiny" of the federal government's decision to manage the fire as a controlled burn during the driest, hottest part of the Arizona summer. The people of Arizona are waiting for answers and a thorough examination of the events that led to the devastating Dragon Bravo Fire.