Wildfires force evacuations at Grand Canyon and Black Canyon of the Gunnison parks

JACOB LAKE Ariz AP Visitors and staff at two national parks in the U S West have been evacuated because of wildfires Related Articles This day in History July the fall of Srebrenica US has reclosed its southern edge after a flesh-eating parasite is seen further north in Mexico In the current era in History July the Battle of Britain begins in World War II The US is having its worst year for measles in more than three decades In the present day in History July th Amendment ratified Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park about miles southwest of Denver closed Thursday morning after lightning sparked blazes on both rims the park noted The wildfire on the South Rim has burned square miles with no containment of the perimeter The park is closed until further notice The conditions there have been ripe for wildfire with hot temperatures low humidity gusty winds and dry vegetation the park stated adding that weather remained a concern Friday Firefighters saved the visitor center along the South Rim by removing dry vegetation and coating the building in a layer of protective material fire authorities declared Small aircrafts from Colorado s Division of Fire Prevention and Control dropped retardant from the sky Friday while ground crews tried to contain the burn The Grand Canyon s North Rim in Arizona also closed Thursday because of a wildfire on adjacent Bureau of Land Management land near Jacob Lake The Coconino County Sheriff s Office explained it helped evacuate people from an area north of Jacob Lake and campers in the Kaibab National Forest nearby This photo provided by Melinda Rich shows smoke from a wildfire behind the Jacob Lake Inn in Jacob Lake Ariz on Thursday July Melinda Rich via AP The fire began Wednesday evening after a thunderstorm moved through the area fire administrators reported It has burned about square miles with zero containment About visitors who planned to stay in the park overnight were evacuated Thursday night Grand Canyon spokesperson Joelle Baird noted Employees and residents on the North Rim were communicated to shelter in place