The National Park Service on Thursday announced the temporary closure of Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim due to the White Sage Fire currently burning near Jacob Lake, Ariz.
The White Sage Fire broke out Wednesday evening about 1.5 miles from White Sage and about 15 miles southeast of Fredonia. The fire is located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, and according to the latest update late Thursday, has burned an estimated 1,000 acres and is 0% contained.
Park officials said that although the fire is not currently burning within Grand Canyon National Park, its progression toward Jacob Lake, which is under evacuation orders, prompted the immediate evacuation of all visitors on the North Rim.
The North Rim evacuation orders will remain in effect until further notice, officials said. North Rim day use is also closed until further notice.
State Route 89A to Fredonia is closed, but State Route 89A east toward Lees Ferry and Page remains open to traffic towards Lees Ferry.
The White Sage Fire was sparked by lightning, according to BLM. It is not related to the nearby Dragon Bravo Fire, also caused by lightning, which is “being managed for resource objectives” south of The Basin on the North Rim.
