Overview

• A lightning strike during a Thursday storm sparked simultaneous blazes near Grand Canyon’s North Rim and in Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
• Firefighters report about 3,500 hectares have burned and the fires remain uncontained due to persistent drought, low humidity and erratic winds.
• Access to the North Rim is suspended until further notice, with roughly 500 campers, park staff and local residents evacuated from campsites, a hotel and nearby businesses.
• Flames have inched toward the gateway town of Jacob Lake, prompting the full evacuation of a hotel and multiple shops as crews focus on perimeter defenses.
• Remote, rugged terrain and forecasts of strong weekend winds complicate containment efforts and raise concerns about the fires’ potential to spread further.