Fire at Grand Canyon: Approximately 500 visitors safely evacuated - Grand Canyon forest inferno forces evacuation of 500 vacationers
The White Sage Fire, currently burning in the vicinity of Jacob Lake, Arizona, is causing concern for both locals and tourists as it continues to spread across Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. As of July 11, 2025, the fire has consumed approximately 8,700 acres and remains 0% contained.
The fire started outside the Grand Canyon National Park boundary, threatening the less frequented North Rim. Due to the fierce wildfire and extreme heat conditions, officials have strongly advised hikers and tourists not to enter the canyon, citing dangerous smoke and heat inside the canyon itself.
The National Park Service has ordered immediate evacuations, successfully moving about 500 visitors out of the danger zone. Residents and park employees are sheltering in place. The closure of the North Rim and the mandatory evacuation of visitors have disrupted tourism significantly in this part of the park.
A Complex Incident Management Team and air tankers are engaged in fire suppression efforts, but given the current lack of containment and ongoing fire growth, the situation remains critical. State Route 89A is closed in both directions near Fredonia, affecting transportation routes.
The Grand Canyon, one of the world's largest natural wonders, is located in the southwestern United States and attracts nearly five million visitors each year. Formed as the Colorado River eroded through layers of red sandstone and other rock formations over millions of years, the canyon is up to 30 kilometers wide and over 1.6 kilometers deep.
Tourists planning to visit the Grand Canyon North Rim are advised to monitor official updates from the National Park Service and expect ongoing closures and restrictions until the fire is contained and the area deemed safe.
[1] National Park Service updates [2] Arizona Daily Sun [3] KAFF News [4] Grand Canyon News
*Note: This article is intended to provide factual information about the White Sage Fire near the Grand Canyon's North Rim. The purpose is to inform the general public about the current status of the fire, evacuations, closures, and firefighting efforts, without adding opinions or unrelated information.*
The White Sage Fire, which has burned through about 8,700 acres near Jacob Lake, Arizona, has escalated to a critical level, prompting AFP to report on its impact on the Grand Canyon National Park. The fire, initially starting outside the park boundaries, is now threatening the North Rim, forcing the evacuation of approximately 500 tourists for safety. To combat the wildfire, a Complex Incident Management Team and air tankers are currently engaged in fire suppression efforts. This unfolding event is significant to the field of environmental-science and general-news, and tourists planning visits to the Grand Canyon North Rim are urged to monitor official updates from sources such as the National Park Service, Arizona Daily Sun, KAFF News, and Grand Canyon News. As the fire continues to spread, the science community and authorities will keenly observe its development and impact on this iconic natural wonder of the USA.
