A fast-moving wildfire in northwestern Arizona has led to the closure of the Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim and prompted evacuation orders for nearby communities. The blaze, known as the White Sage Fire, began on July 9 and has rapidly spread across approximately 8,700 acres near Jacob Lake. As of Thursday, the fire remains completely uncontained and continues to expand.
A combination of extreme heat, gusty winds, and parched vegetation has created highly dangerous conditions, allowing the fire to grow swiftly and unpredictably. In response, officials have issued an extreme heat warning, with temperatures forecasted to reach up to 115°F (46°C), urging people to avoid hiking into the Grand Canyon due to the potentially life-threatening conditions.
Around 500 visitors were safely evacuated from the park’s North Rim as fire crews intensified efforts to contain the blaze. Firefighters have been using both aerial and ground operations in their battle against the fire since Wednesday. The area around Jacob Lake, now directly in the fire’s path, is under mandatory evacuation orders. Authorities are urging all visitors to leave the area immediately for their safety.
The wildfire has also impacted infrastructure, forcing the closure of State Route 89A. Transportation officials have cautioned motorists to prepare for significant travel delays in the region.
Tragically, a separate incident occurred earlier in the week when a 67-year-old man from Texas collapsed and died while hiking on the South Kaibab Trail inside the Grand Canyon. Despite resuscitation attempts, the hiker was pronounced dead at the scene.
The threat of wildfires is not confined to Arizona. In neighboring Colorado, fires sparked by lightning have triggered evacuations at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The entire park was cleared of staff and visitors on Thursday after separate fires ignited at both ends of the site. Fire managers in the region are currently responding to about ten wildfires ignited by lightning strikes across the broader Upper Colorado River area.
As wildfire season intensifies across the American West, emergency services remain on high alert. The escalating number of blazes, fueled by dry weather and heatwaves, underscores the growing threat that wildfires pose to both public safety and natural landmarks. Visitors and residents alike are urged to stay informed through local alerts and to follow evacuation orders without delay.
