Two fast-spreading wildfires force the evacuation of parts of the Grand Canyon, with the US National Park Service ordering visitors and residents away from its northern rim.
Visitors and residents in the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park have been evacuated as two separate wildfires burn through the area. The larger blaze outside of the national park , known as the White Sage Fire , grew 20 times in size over 24 hours.
Multiple fast-spreading wildfires have forced evacuations in parts of the Grand Canyon in the US state of Arizona, with the US National Park Service ordering visitors and residents away from its northern rim. "Due to the advancing Dragon Bravo Fire within Grand Canyon National Park, all North Rim residents are now in 'GO' status and should evacuate the North Rim immediately," the National Park Service said in a social media post.The Dragon Bravo Fire, which was sparked by lightning and has been burning inside the Grand Canyon National Park, has grown from 150 acres in size Friday evening to 5,000 acres , aPark Service staff had already cleared the North Rim, which is less popular with tourists than the South Rim, of some 500 visitors late last week. A second, larger fire has been burning simultaneously outside the Grand Canyon National Park and grew 20 times in size over 24 hours.The White Sage Fire is approaching Jacob Lake, Arizona, a small settlement known as the gateway to the North Rim of the national park. More than 200 firefighters and support personnel worked to halt the uncontained fire across the weekend as it burned across a high-altitude plateau between the communities of Lonesome, White Sage and Jacob Lake. "The North Rim of the park remains closed until further notice to support firefighting operations and ensure public safety for the Dragon Bravo Fire and the nearby White Sage Fire," the Grand Canyon National Park posted on social media. Jon Paxton, press officer for the Coconino County sheriff's office, told AFP that a hotel and some businesses had been emptied."This area is high desert and mostly open forest for camping." Visitors to the South Rim have been encouraged to monitor local conditions and stay across warnings, the National Park Service said.Both fires burning across the region were started by lightning during thunderstorms -- the Dragon Bravo Fire on July 4 and the larger White Sage Fire on July 9. "Crews encountered very extreme fire behaviour due to the dry conditions gusty and erratic winds inhibiting the ability for fire fighters to safely engage the fire," the Bureau of Land Management said. One of the greatest wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon is the result of the Colorado River eating away at layers of red sandstone and other rock for millions of years, leaving a gash up to 30km wide and more than 1.6km deep.A 67-year-old man died on Tuesday while attempting to reach the river in hot conditions.Another popular site, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado, was also closed Friday because of a wildfire.Photo shows flowers, work boots, a work hat on the floor outside westfield mount druitt in tribute to man shot by policePhoto shows Three police officers and a woman sitting around a table. One officer to the side is picking up a large back of white substance.Photo shows Metal and timber hut with verandah, plastic chair, tables, man in ranger clothing to left, surf board on sand ground, treesPhoto shows flowers, work boots, a work hat on the floor outside westfield mount druitt in tribute to man shot by policePhoto shows Three police officers and a woman sitting around a table. One officer to the side is picking up a large back of white substance.
National Park America National Park NPS United States Wildfires Fires White Sage Fire Dragon Bravo Fire
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