- Park components of Grand Canyon National Park momentsarily vacated because of a fire emergency.
In a series of unfortunate events, wildfires have forced evacuations at two of America's most iconic national parks - the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado.
At the Grand Canyon National Park, the White Sage Fire, which started on Bureau of Land Management lands near Jacob Lake, has been causing concern. The fire, which had grown to approximately 1,000 acres by Thursday evening, has prompted mandatory evacuation orders for the North Rim of the park. Despite not being within the park boundaries, the fire's proximity to Jacob Lake and the North Rim poses a significant threat, leading to concerns for public safety. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office issued a "GO" evacuation order for the area.
As a result, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park has been closed, and visitors have been advised to leave immediately. State Route 89A to Fredonia has also been closed due to the fire. Fortunately, for now, the South Rim area remains open.
Meanwhile, at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado, lightning-sparked wildfires on both rims have led to the closure and evacuation of the park. The weather conditions, including hot temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds, along with dry vegetation, have made the area highly susceptible to wildfires. The wildfire on the South Rim has burned 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometers) with no containment, and the conditions are ripe for further fire spread, prompting the evacuation.
Both visitors and staff have been evacuated from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to ensure safety.
The Grand Canyon National Park, known for its vast and scenic canyons and rock formations, is a popular tourist destination. However, visitors cannot access the North Rim area at the moment. Firefighters are currently battling the fire at the Grand Canyon National Park, and the smoke from the fire is affecting the surrounding areas.
The cause of the fire at the Grand Canyon National Park is not yet confirmed, but lightning is believed to have caused the fires in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Authorities have warned residents to stay indoors if there is heavy smoke in the area.
Visitors are advised to check the official park updates for the latest information about the Grand Canyon National Park. It is hoped that the situation will be brought under control soon, and these natural wonders will once again be open for visitors to enjoy.
The Commission, assisted by the European Parliament, might focus on the impacts of climate-change on environmental-science, specifically the increases in extreme weather events like wildfires, as seen in the Grand Canyon and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks. These wildfires, triggered by lightning, have forced evacuations and caused the closure of these iconic parks in America.
