STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Our prayers are with the brave firefighters risking their lives to contain the Dragon Bravo Fire and with all Arizonans affected by this devastating event. I remain in close contact with the Governor’s Office, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management, and the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA) as we continue to monitor the situation.

I urge residents in the Grand Canyon region to follow the guidance of emergency officials. If evacuation or safety orders are issued, please act without delay—to protect yourself and those working to protect you.

As of July 31, the Dragon Bravo Fire has burned an estimated 105,415 acres and is only 9% contained. More than 1,100 personnel are on the ground, working around the clock to stop its spread. This is now the largest active wildfire in the United States this year, and the 10^th largest in Arizona history.

The fire has destroyed over 70 structures to date, including the historic North Rim Lodge. The Bureau of Land Management has issued an emergency closure of all BLM Lands south of Highway 89A, north and east of the Kaibab National Forest and south of the main stem of Soap Creek and north and west of Grand Canyon National Park. While U.S. Route 89A has reopened, Grand Canyon Highway (State Route 67) remains closed.

We are in this together, and we’ll continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, please stay alert, take all warnings seriously, and keep safety your top priority.

Representative Walt Blackman is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 7 and is Chairman of the House Government Committee. Follow him on X at @BlackmanForAZ.