Grand Canyon Evacuees as Wildfire Rages
Grand Canyon North Rim Evacuation After Wildfire Blazes
Wildfire forced the evacuation of visitors on Friday from part of the iconic Grand Canyon in Arizona. The U.S. National Park Service urged calm and issued an order for evacuees to travel safely on paved roads only.
Canyon Details and Visitor Impact
- The evacuation targeted the less-visited North Rim, which is normally closed to day use until further notice.
- The blaze, named the White Sage Fire, was burning just outside the National Park but was approaching the town of Jacob Lake, the gateway to the North Rim.
- It was unclear at the time how many people had been forced to leave the area.
Grand Canyon’s Natural Wonder
The Grand Canyon remains one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Formed by the Colorado River’s relentless erosion of layered red sandstone and other rock over millions of years, the canyon features a gash up to 18 miles (30 km) wide and more than a mile (1.6 km) deep. Last year, the National Park attracted just under five million visitors.
Other National Parks Affected
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado was also closed Friday because of a wildfire.
The National Park Service’s order emphasized that evacuees should travel calmly at a normal rate of speed and stay on paved roads only. The North Rim was dismissed to preserve safety and natural integrity during the wildfire’s approach.
