Missing New Jersey Man Amid Grand Canyon Mega Fire

A New Jersey man has been unaccounted for for nearly a week as a massive wildfire rages through Grand Canyon National Park. Thomas Daniel Gibbs, 35, from Freehold, was last in contact with family and friends at noon on July 22, according to the National Park Service. His disappearance was reported on July 28.

The U.S. Forest Service designated the fire as a “mega fire” on July 31 after the Dragon Bravo fire, which is burning at the north of the Grand Canyon, surpassed 100,000 acres. It’s now recognized as the largest wildfire currently in the U.S. and ranks among the top ten recorded fires in Arizona history.

Gibbs is described as a white male who stands at 6 feet 11 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. He has no known tattoos and was believed to be in the Grand View Trail and Horseshoe Mesa region on the day he went missing.

The Park Rangers are urging anyone who might have been on the Grand View Trail around July 22 and who has any information about Gibbs to call the National Park Service’s hotline at 888-653-0009.

As of now, Gibbs remains missing, and search efforts are concentrating on difficult terrains near Grandview Point. The National Park Service indicated that a lightning strike on July 4 caused the Dragon Bravo fire, which spread rapidly due to a strong 40 mph wind event on July 12.

By July 30, containment of the fire had dropped to only 4%, primarily due to adverse weather conditions. The combined heat from the Dragon Bravo Fire and another fire in Monroe, Utah, has been generating intense “fire clouds,” which can lead to unpredictable weather patterns.

These clouds, particularly the tall ones known as Pyrocumulus clouds, have lingered over the flames for several days, introducing the risk of downdrafts that can endanger firefighters on the ground. Fire Information Officer Lisa Jennings explained how these clouds can significantly amplify the spread of wildfires.

In terms of damage, the Dragon Bravo Fire has devastated around 70 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and the North Rim Visitor Centre. As a result, the North Rim will remain closed for the remainder of the 2025 season. The focus now is on emergency stabilization efforts to protect what remains of the park’s infrastructure and natural resources.

The park is committed to restoring visitor facilities, but the recovery process is expected to take considerable time. While the South Rim remains open to visitors, access to the North Rim remains restricted.