A man from New Jersey has been missing for approximately a week while a large fire devastates the Grand Canyon National Park.
Thomas Daniel Gibbs, 35, of Freehold, New Jersey, was last in contact with his friends and family around noon on July 22, according to the National Park Service. He was reported missing by his loved ones on July 28.
The U.S. Forest Service declared a “mega-fire” on July 31 as the Dragon Bravo Fire, burning along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, exceeded 100,000 acres in size.
This fire is considered the largest burning in the continental U.S. and one of the top 10 largest in recorded Arizona history.
Thomas Daniel Gibbs is described as a white male, six-foot-one-inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes, and no known tattoos. He was believed to have been in the Grandview Trail and Horseshoe Mesa area on July 22.
Anyone with information on Gibbs’ whereabouts is urged to contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at 888-653-0009 or submit tips online at www.nps.gov/ISB.
Search efforts are concentrated on a high-angle terrain near Grandview Point as of Friday, according to reports from Grand Canyon National Park.
The Dragon Bravo Fire was ignited by a lightning strike on July 4 and has since spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry conditions.
The fire has caused the closure of the North Rim for the 2025 season, with approximately 70 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, destroyed.
The National Park Service is currently focused on emergency stabilization and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of visitor facilities.
While the South Rim remains open, there is currently no access to the North Rim or its facilities.
As plans for recovery progress, the public will be kept informed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
