500 tourists evacuated as wildfire nears Grand Canyon Rim

AFP/APP

Los Angeles: A fast-moving wildfire has prompted the evacuation of around 500 tourists from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, as authorities battle to contain the growing blaze dubbed the White Sage Fire.

According to the U.S. National Park Service, the fire has led to the full evacuation of the North Rim — a less frequented area compared to the South Rim — while park employees and residents remain sheltering in place.

“Last night, Grand Canyon staff safely evacuated approximately 500 guests,” the Park Service confirmed in an update on Friday. “All visitors have left the area, and day-use access to the North Rim is closed until further notice.”

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jon Paxton told AFP that the evacuation included a hotel and several businesses. “Most of the folks we evacuated were campers,” he said. “This area is high desert and mostly open forest for camping.”

The White Sage Fire, which erupted on Wednesday after a lightning strike during a thunderstorm, is burning just outside the Grand Canyon National Park. It is now threatening Jacob Lake, a small gateway community to the North Rim.

The fire has already scorched approximately 8,700 acres (3,500 hectares) and remains completely uncontained. Images released by authorities show thick plumes of smoke rising above the dry, scrub-covered landscape.

Firefighters are facing difficult conditions due to gusty, erratic winds and extremely dry terrain. “Crews encountered very extreme fire behavior due to the dry conditions and gusty winds, inhibiting the ability for firefighters to safely engage the fire,” said the Bureau of Land Management.

The National Park Service has advised visitors to avoid hiking in the area due to extreme heat and smoke. Earlier this week, a 67-year-old man died while attempting to hike to the Colorado River in high temperatures.

Nearly five million people visited the Grand Canyon last year, making it one of the most popular natural destinations in the United States.

Meanwhile, another major national park Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado was also closed on Friday due to a separate wildfire threat.