Fire activity is increasing across the American west, as critically dry landscapes and spiking temperatures fueled blazes in 11 states on Friday.
Evacuations were ordered at two national parks – Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the Grand Canyon in Arizona, as hot weather, low humidity and gusty winds pushed flames closer to recreation areas.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison national park, about 260 miles (418km ) south-west of Denver, closed on Thursday morning after lightning sparked blazes on both rims, the park said, adding to the more than a dozen fires burning across the state.
The South Rim fire burned more than 1,640 acres by Friday afternoon with no containment, churning through parched grasses, pinyon pine and juniper trees, as park rangers moved quickly to get all visitors, staff, and backcountry hikers out of the area. Residents in nearby Montrose county have not been evacuated but were advised to be prepared if conditions worsen.
The Grand Canyon’s North Rim in Arizona also closed on Thursday because of a wildfire on adjacent Bureau of Land Management land near Jacob Lake. The Coconino county sheriff’s office said it helped evacuate people from an area north of Jacob Lake and campers in the Kaibab national forest nearby.
The fire began on Wednesday evening after a thunderstorm moved through the area, fire officials said. It has burned roughly 1,000 acres with zero containment.
An extreme heat warning was also issued for the lower elevations of the Grand Canyon as daytime temperatures are expected to reach dangerous levels up to 115F through the weekend.
“Weather conditions and very dry fuels are challenging firefighting efforts across the country,” analysts at the National Interagency Fire Center wrote in an update issued on Friday, noting that 36 fires were not contained across the US with more than 11,400 firefighters and support workers dedicated to battling the blazes.
“With many families camping, hiking, and enjoying public lands this time of year, it’s more important than ever to recreate responsibly,” NIFC officials warned. “Campfires, stoves, and even vehicle exhaust systems can become ignition sources under dry and windy conditions.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article
