ARIZONA – A fast-moving wildfire north-west of Grand Canyon National Park has triggered emergency evacuations and forced the closure of the park’s North Rim as extreme heat and dry conditions fuel its relentless spread.
The blaze, named the White Sage Fire, was sparked by lightning on July 9 and has already scorched more than 10,900 acres near Jacob Lake, Arizona. As of Thursday evening, officials confirmed that the fire remains 0% contained and continues to grow aggressively.
The National Park Service warned that the combination of gusty winds, dry vegetation, and soaring temperatures — reaching up to 115°F (46°C) — has made conditions especially dangerous, both for firefighting crews and residents.
Evacuations Underway as Jacob Lake Comes Under Threat
The fire’s swift progression toward Jacob Lake prompted authorities to issue immediate evacuation orders. Grand Canyon officials evacuated around 500 guests from the North Rim by Friday afternoon as the flames edged closer.
“Due to the fire’s progression, all visitors on the North Rim are required to evacuate immediately,” officials stated in a public alert.
State Route 89A — the key highway connecting the region — has also been shut down until further notice, with the Arizona Department of Transportation urging motorists to avoid the area due to long delays and unsafe conditions.
Fire crews have been battling the flames from the ground and air since Wednesday, trying to protect critical infrastructure and homes around the Jacob Lake area. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft are being used for aerial water drops while ground teams construct firebreaks.
Tragic Death and Fire Spread to Colorado
As the region grapples with both wildfire and heat, tragedy has also struck. Park officials confirmed that a 67-year-old hiker from Texas died on Tuesday on the South Kaibab Trail, below Cedar Ridge, in the Grand Canyon. The hiker was found unresponsive, and resuscitation efforts failed, the National Park Service said.
Meanwhile, the wildfire crisis is not confined to Arizona. In Colorado, lightning strikes have ignited multiple fires, prompting the evacuation of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, located about 260 miles southwest of Denver.
The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit said it was working with partners to tackle around 10 separate wildfires sparked by lightning across the region.
“We are responding to multiple fire starts due to dry thunderstorms across the area,” the agency said.
Climate Conditions Push Fire Risk to Extreme Levels
Officials have issued an extreme heat warning, urging residents and visitors to avoid hiking or engaging in strenuous outdoor activity near the Grand Canyon and surrounding forests.
With temperatures soaring, humidity dropping, and storm-driven lightning expected to continue, wildfire risk remains dangerously high throughout the southwestern US.
Authorities warn that more closures and evacuations could follow if weather conditions worsen. The focus remains on protecting lives, structures, and natural resources as fire crews face one of the most aggressive starts to the wildfire season in recent years.
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