A photo taken by Lin Chao shows towering smoke clouds forming near the Bright Angel Trailhead at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim on Sunday, July 27, 2025. These large plumes, created by nearby wildfires, were visible from the popular hiking area. (Photo courtesy: AP)
Two massive wildfires are tearing through the western United States. One of them, near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, has grown so large it’s now called a “megafire.” It started on July 4 from a lightning strike. So far, it has burned more than 164 square miles. That’s nearly the size of driving from New York City to Washington, D.C.
This fire also destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and nearby cabins. Officials have closed the North Rim for the rest of the season. Hundreds of firefighters are still battling the flames. Wind speeds have reached up to 35 miles per hour, and humidity is dangerously low. Fire clouds are forming over the area every day.
Utah Fire Forces Towns to Evacuate
In Monroe, Utah, another wildfire has been burning since July 13. It has already scorched over 75 square miles. Officials ordered people in several towns to leave their homes as the flames moved closer. Firefighters have only contained 11% of it so far.
The Utah governor declared a state of emergency on Thursday. He also planned to visit the affected areas to see the damage and support efforts.
Dangerous Clouds Form Above Fires
Both fires are causing rare and dangerous weather events. Huge smoke clouds, called pyrocumulus clouds, are forming above the flames. These clouds grow when the heat from the fire pushes smoke high into the sky. They look like giant smoke towers and can be seen from miles away.
Even more dangerous are pyrocumulonimbus clouds, or “fire thunderstorms.” These clouds shoot out fast winds in all directions and can spread the fire quickly. Firefighters had to back off from their work in Utah when one of these clouds collapsed and created sudden winds.
Scientists say these clouds may happen more often as climate change leads to longer fire seasons and hotter, drier weather.
Power Outages Leave Utah Towns in the Dark
The fire in Monroe also burned down at least 12 power poles. This has cut electricity to several towns, including Antimony. About 123 people there lost power on Thursday. Some could be without electricity for up to a week.
Locals are helping each other. One woman has been using a camp stove to cook food for neighbors. Others are using generators to keep medicine cold and food fresh.
Meanwhile, the nearby town of Richfield is covered in ash. A local couple is getting ready to leave in case the fire comes closer, especially since the wife has asthma and struggles to breathe through the smoke.
Fires Could Get Worse
The National Weather Service warned of extreme fire danger in many parts of Utah. Experts say wildfires could get worse even though fewer acres have burned this year. Dry weather and strong winds could cause new fires to start or spread fast.
