The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, a popular outdoor destination in western Colorado, was closed to the public after a wildfire on the South Rim rapidly doubled in size.

The National Park Service (NPS) said the South Rim fire, which was initially ignited by lightning on Thursday, grew from 1,600 acres to nearly 3,000 acres with zero containment by Saturday morning, prompting urgent evacuations of visitors and heightened firefighting efforts on site.

“About 500 visitors, who intended to stay in the park overnight, were evacuated Thursday night,” Joëlle Baird, Grand Canyon spokesperson, told the Associated Press.

The escalating situation led to the closure of Colorado State Highway 347 at the junction of U.S. Highway 50, with residents in nearby Bostwick Park placed under evacuation notices, Inciweb shows.

Firefighters continue to work to gain control of the blaze and limit further damage to the park’s infrastructure and natural features.

Newsweek has reached out to Inciweb via email for comment on Saturday afternoon.

Why It Matters

The impact of the South Rim fire extends beyond restricted park access, highlighting the rising wildfire risk across the western United States as drought and extreme weather intensify.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, while drawing fewer annual visitors than nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, remains a key attraction for hikers, rafters, and climbers. Last year, it welcomed over 335,000 visitors, underscoring the park’s significance to Colorado tourism and local economies.

What To Know

The wildfire began Thursday after a lightning strike in the park’s South Rim area.

Fire-mapping aircraft recorded fast growth by Friday, with burned area estimates expanding rapidly due to unfavorable weather.

Officials warned that dangerous winds, high heat, and low humidity conditions could continue to exacerbate the fire growth.

Following the fire’s intensification, NPS officials closed the entire Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park until further notice. Authorities also closed Colorado State Highway 347, and the Bostwick Park community in Montrose was placed under evacuation notice.

Firefighters and support agencies mobilized dozens of first responders to protect the park and nearby homes, CBS Colorado reported.

Ground crews worked to clear dry vegetation and lay barriers Saturday, while aerial support from Colorado’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control deployed retardant to slow the blaze.

Firefighters succeeded in protecting the park’s main visitor center with a protective coating, but suffered losses to some equipment and outbuildings, the NPS reported. Despite persistent winds and difficult terrain, responders remained focused on containment and public safety, according to the AP.

Officials pointed to broader regional threats, noting that the West’s worsening drought, coupled with the erratic summer monsoon season, has led to more frequent lightning strikes and fire starts.

What People Are Saying

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park said in a post on Facebook on Saturday: “Fire behavior has increased this afternoon on the South Rim Fire. Firefighters continue to focus their efforts to protect critical values such as dam infrastructure and homes. Helicopters are providing water buckets and airtankers are used as needed to secure infrastructure. Growth has primarily been on the south and east sides of the fire.”

The National Park Service said on its website in an alert: “Both the North Rim and South Rim are closed; East Portal is not accessible. Do not enter the park until further notice.”

What Happens Next

The NPS has yet to announce a reopening timeline for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, citing ongoing fire danger and unstable weather conditions as obstacles.

Damage assessments and containment updates are expected to follow as conditions change.

Residents and travelers are urged to monitor official updates from the NPS for instructions and park reopening information.