Wildfire Near Grand Canyon Expands Tenfold Over 24 Hours

A quickly increasing occurrence adjacent nan Grand Canyon has expanded much than 10 times successful size complete nan past 24 hours.

What officials person dubbed nan White Sage Fire successful Jacob Lake, Arizona — astir 250 miles southwest of Denver, Colorado — has grown from 1,000 acres ample to astir 11,000 acres, according to a authorities website that tracks U.S. wildfires. It is 0% contained.

The occurrence was ignited by lightning strikes connected Thursday, prompting officials to evacuate nan North Rim of nan Grand Canyon National Park, according to nan National Park Service.

On Friday, officials said successful a post connected X that astir 500 visitors were evacuated from nan area, and that parkland labor and residents stay sheltering successful place.

The wildfire besides prompted officials to evacuate nan North Rim and South Rim of nan Black Canyon of nan Gunnison National Park, which remains closed to nan public.

As nan White Sage Fire rages on, nan adjacent Dragon Bravo Fire has grown to 1,500 acres connected nan North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, officials said successful a station connected X connected Friday.

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

The National Park Service said successful a connection connected Friday that hiking successful nan Grand Canyon was not advised arsenic nan fires rage connected and impact nan park's aerial quality.