A rapidly expanding wildfire northwest of Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park has exploded in size—growing more than tenfold in less than 24 hours—prompting urgent evacuations and closures.

Named the White Sage Fire, the blaze was ignited by lightning on July 9 near the Jacob Lake area. As of Saturday, it has scorched approximately 19,100 acres and remains completely uncontained according to official reports.

The fire has forced the closure of the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the evacuation of local communities, with authorities warning of continued fire spread due to high temperatures, gusty winds, and parched vegetation.

Extreme Heat, Hazardous Conditions

With temperatures soaring up to 116°F (46°C), the National Weather Service has extended an extreme heat warning through Wednesday, urging visitors to avoid hiking or strenuous activity in the area.

In a tragic incident earlier in the week, a 67-year-old hiker from Texas died after being found unresponsive on the South Kaibab Trail, just below Cedar Ridge. Despite resuscitation attempts, the man was declared dead at the scene, according to the National Park Service.

Residents and Visitors Evacuated

Park officials confirmed that about 500 visitors were successfully evacuated from the North Rim by Friday afternoon. In a public alert, they emphasized the urgency of evacuation orders:

“Due to the fire’s progression toward Jacob Lake, all visitors on the North Rim are required to evacuate immediately.”

All park staff and local residents have reportedly been relocated safely, and no injuries or fatalities from the fire itself have been reported as of Saturday.

Emergency crews have been fighting the blaze from both ground and air since Wednesday, while authorities closed off State Route 89A, warning drivers of significant delays and road hazards.

Second Fire, Regional Wildfire Surge

In addition to the White Sage Fire, another blaze—the Dragon Bravo Fire—has emerged nearby, compounding the threat. Firefighters are monitoring both fires as part of a broader regional response.

The wildfire risk is not limited to Arizona. On Thursday, authorities evacuated all visitors and staff from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in western Colorado, after lightning strikes ignited multiple fires.

The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit reported it is actively managing about 10 wildfires across the region, all sparked by recent thunderstorms.

A Growing Crisis

With climate conditions continuing to favor wildfire outbreaks, officials are urging caution and cooperation. The situation near the Grand Canyon remains fluid, and further evacuations or closures may be necessary.

As firefighting crews work tirelessly under extreme conditions, residents and visitors are advised to stay updated through official channels and heed all safety warnings.