- Fires near Grand Canyon’s North Rim burned 70,000 acres, impacting local businesses.
- Jacob Lake Inn operator fears future, despite firefighters’ efforts protecting the historic site.
- North Rim closure for 2025 season poses challenges for area businesses relying on tourism.
SALT LAKE CITY — As officials estimated, the White Sage and Dragon Bravo fires had burned nearly 70,000 combined acres Thursday near the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. Family members who operate a historic inn said businesses in the area face a difficult road ahead.
“We don’t know what our future looks like, which is terrifying to say because we’ve been around for 102 years,” said Melinda Rich Marshall, with the Jacob Lake Inn. “We know that our ancestors have persevered, but at the same time, they’ve always had the canyon open. Again, it’s just hard to know what’s going to happen.”
Marshall said she was allowed on Tuesday to return to the inn for about an hour-and-a-half, and what she saw brought some relief…