Wildfires Force Evacuations Near Grand Canyon

A increasing wildfire ignited by lightning is prompting evacuations adjacent nan Grand Canyon aft burning done complete 1,000 acres successful Arizona.

The White Sage Fire prompted evacuations successful parts of Grand Canyon National Park and each of Gunnison National Park adjacent Jacob Lake, nan National Park Service said connected Thursday.

Lightning strikes connected Thursday ignited wildfires connected some nan North Rim and South Rim of nan Black Canyon of nan Gunnison National Park, officials said. The Gunnison National Park, which is astir 250 miles southwest of Denver, Colorado, was evacuated and remains closed.

The quickly moving wildfire prompted officials to besides evacuate nan North Rim of nan Grand Canyon National Park, nan National Park Service said successful a abstracted connection connected Thursday. However, nan occurrence has not yet moved into nan Grand Canyon.

The fire, which is astir 1,000 acres ample and 0% contained arsenic of Friday greeting section time, according to nan government.

Officials said nan "high temperatures, very debased humidity, gusty winds, and very barren vegetation crossed nan region" created a consequence for wildfires to occur.

On Friday, nan National Park Service said successful a post connected X that "hiking into Grand Canyon is not advised today, pinch utmost power and wildfire fume wrong nan canyon."