Latest news with #JonPaxton
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Part of Grand Canyon evacuated as wildfire spreads
Spreading wildfires forced the evacuation on Friday of part of the famed Grand Canyon, with the US National Park Service appealing for visitors to stay calm. The canyon's North Rim, which is less popular with tourists than the South Rim, was being cleared due to a blaze called the White Sage Fire . "Evacuees should travel calmly at a normal rate of speed and stay on paved roads only. North Rim day use is closed until further notice," the Park Service said in an order. Jon Paxton, press officer for the Coconino County sheriff's office , told AFP that officials had evacuated only about 40 people and that many visitors had already left. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Most Beautiful Celebs Over 30 [See List] y2mate Undo "There is a hotel and some businesses in the 'go' area but they had self-evacuated prior to our arrival. Most of the folks we evacuated were campers," he said. The fire is burning outside the Grand Canyon National Park but approaching Jacob Lake, Arizona, a town known as the gateway to the North Rim. About 1,000 acres (400 hectares) have been scorched and the blaze is not under control, according to authorities, who released images of large columns of smoke rising above the scrubby desert. One of the greatest wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon is the result of the Colorado River eating away at layers of red sandstone and other rock for millions of years, leaving a gash up to 18 miles (30 km) wide and more than a mile (1.6 km) deep. The Parks Service advised against any hiking into the canyon, due to extreme heat and wildfire smoke. A 67-year-old man died on Tuesday while attempting to reach the river in extreme heat conditions. Last year just under five million people visited the site. Another popular site, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado, was also closed Friday because of a wildfire.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tourists, residents evacuated from Grand Canyon due to wildfires
Fast-spreading wildfires have forced the evacuation of part of the Grand Canyon, with the US National Park Service ordering visitors and residents away from its northern rim. "Due to the advancing Dragon Bravo Fire within Grand Canyon National Park, all North Rim residents are now in 'GO' status and should evacuate the North Rim immediately," the National Park Service said in an X post on Friday afternoon. The Dragon Bravo Fire, which was sparked by lightning and has been burning since July 4, was 150 acres (61 hectares) in size Friday evening and zero percent contained, a US government incident report said. Park Service staff had already cleared the North Rim, which is less popular with tourists than the South Rim, of some 500 visitors late Thursday. Day-use access to the area was also closed due to a larger blaze called the White Sage Fire, which was burning outside the Grand Canyon National Park. However, it was approaching Jacob Lake, Arizona, a small settlement known as the gateway to the North Rim. About 10,973 acres (4,441 hectares) have been scorched by the White Sage Fire which is zero-percent contained, according to authorities, who released images of large columns of smoke rising above the scrubby desert. Jon Paxton, press officer for the Coconino County sheriff's office, told AFP that a hotel and some businesses had been emptied. "Most of the folks we evacuated were campers," he said. "This area is high desert and mostly open forest for camping." - Started by lightning - The White Sage Fire was also started by lightning, during a thunderstorm on July 9. "Crews encountered very extreme fire behavior due to the dry conditions (and) gusty and erratic winds inhibiting the ability for fire fighters to safely engage the fire," the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said. One of the greatest wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon is the result of the Colorado River eating away at layers of red sandstone and other rock for millions of years, leaving a gash up to 18 miles (30 km) wide and more than a mile (1.6 km) deep. Park Service advised against any hiking into the canyon, due to extreme heat and wildfire smoke. A 67-year-old man died on Tuesday while attempting to reach the river in hot conditions. Last year almost five million people visited the world-famous site. Another popular site, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado, was also closed Friday because of a wildfire. rfo-bgs-ksb/aks
The Sun
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Grand Canyon North Rim evacuated as White Sage Fire spreads
LOS ANGELES: Spreading wildfires have led to the evacuation of part of the Grand Canyon, with the US National Park Service urging visitors to remain calm. The North Rim, less frequented by tourists than the South Rim, was cleared due to the advancing White Sage Fire. 'Evacuees should travel calmly at a normal rate of speed and stay on paved roads only. North Rim day use is closed until further notice,' the Park Service stated. Jon Paxton, press officer for the Coconino County sheriff's office, confirmed that around 40 people were evacuated, mostly campers, as many visitors had already left the area. The fire, burning outside Grand Canyon National Park, is moving toward Jacob Lake, Arizona, a key access point to the North Rim. Authorities report that approximately 1,000 acres have been scorched, with the blaze still uncontrolled. Images show thick smoke rising over the desert landscape. The Grand Canyon, formed over millions of years by the Colorado River, is one of the world's most stunning natural wonders. The Park Service has also warned against hiking due to extreme heat and poor air quality from wildfire smoke. This follows the death of a 67-year-old man earlier in the week while attempting to hike to the river in scorching temperatures. Nearly five million people visited the Grand Canyon last year. Meanwhile, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado was also closed due to a separate wildfire AFP
CNA
3 days ago
- Climate
- CNA
Tourists, residents evacuated from Grand Canyon due to wildfires
LOS ANGELES: Fast-spreading wildfires have forced the evacuation of part of the Grand Canyon, with the US National Park Service ordering visitors and residents away from its northern rim. "Due to the advancing Dragon Bravo Fire within Grand Canyon National Park, all North Rim residents are now in 'GO' status and should evacuate the North Rim immediately," the National Park Service said in an X post on Friday afternoon (Jul 11). The Dragon Bravo Fire, which was sparked by lightning and has been burning since Jul 4, was 61ha in size Friday evening and zero per cent contained, a US government incident report said. Park Service staff had already cleared the North Rim, which is less popular with tourists than the South Rim, of some 500 visitors late Thursday. Day-use access to the area was also closed due to a larger blaze called the White Sage Fire, which was burning outside the Grand Canyon National Park. However, it was approaching Jacob Lake, Arizona, a small settlement known as the gateway to the North Rim. About 4,441ha have been scorched by the White Sage Fire, which is zero per cent contained, according to authorities, who released images of large columns of smoke rising above the scrubby desert. Jon Paxton, press officer for the Coconino County sheriff's office, told AFP that a hotel and some businesses had been emptied. "Most of the folks we evacuated were campers," he said. "This area is high desert and mostly open forest for camping." STARTED BY LIGHTNING The White Sage Fire was also started by lightning, during a thunderstorm on Jul 9. "Crews encountered very extreme fire behaviour due to the dry conditions (and) gusty and erratic winds inhibiting the ability for fire fighters to safely engage the fire," the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said. One of the greatest wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon is the result of the Colorado River eating away at layers of red sandstone and other rock for millions of years, leaving a gash up to 30km wide and more than 1.6km deep. Park Service advised against any hiking into the canyon, due to extreme heat and wildfire smoke. A 67-year-old man died on Tuesday while attempting to reach the river in hot conditions. Last year, almost five million people visited the world-famous site.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Climate
- Bangkok Post
500 tourists evacuated from Grand Canyon wildfires
LOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) - Fast-spreading wildfires have forced the evacuation of part of the Grand Canyon, with the US National Park Service saying at least 500 people had been guided out of the danger zone. The canyon's North Rim, which is less popular with tourists than the South Rim, was cleared of all visitors due to a blaze called the White Sage Fire. "Last night, Grand Canyon staff safely evacuated approximately 500 guests," the Park Service said in an update Friday. "All visitors have left the area, and park employees and residents remain sheltering in place. Day use access to the North Rim is closed until further notice." Jon Paxton, press officer for the Coconino County sheriff's office, told AFP that a hotel and some businesses had all been emptied. "Most of the folks we evacuated were campers," he said. "This area is high desert and mostly open forest for camping." The fire is burning outside the Grand Canyon National Park but approaching Jacob Lake, Arizona, a small settlement known as the gateway to the North Rim. About 8,700 acres (3,500 hectares) have been scorched and the blaze is zero-percent contained, according to authorities, who released images of large columns of smoke rising above the scrubby desert. - Started by lightning - The fire was started by lightning during a thunderstorm on Wednesday. "Crews encountered very extreme fire behavior due to the dry conditions (and) gusty and erratic winds inhibiting the ability for fire fighters to safely engage the fire," the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said. One of the greatest wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon is the result of the Colorado River eating away at layers of red sandstone and other rock for millions of years, leaving a gash up to 18 miles (30 km) wide and more than a mile (1.6 km) deep. The Park Service advised against any hiking into the canyon, due to extreme heat and wildfire smoke. A 67-year-old man died on Tuesday while attempting to reach the river in hot conditions. Last year almost five million people visited the world-famous site.
