It was early Thursday evening when park officials issued an urgent evacuation for visitors and staff at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and nearby Kaibab National Forest. A fast-moving wildfire—dubbed the White Sage Fire—ignited near Jacob Lake during a thunderstorm, and according to the Associated Press, it has burned about 1.5 square miles (3.9 square kilometers) with zero containment.
What’s currently happening
North Rim closed: According to the National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park has shut the North Rim “until further notice.” All day visitors and overnight guests are being evacuated immediately.
Area under GO alert: Coconino County issued a “GO” evacuation order for Jacob Lake and surrounding campgrounds—meaning people must leave now.
Highway closures: State Route 89A at Jacob Lake is closed in both directions toward Fredonia, though the route toward Lees Ferry and Page remains open.
What visitors should do
If you’re at the North Rim or nearby: Evacuate immediately, following instructions from park rangers and emergency officials.
For those with upcoming trips: Cancel or reschedule plans until the park officially reopens. Keep an eye on the Grand Canyon National Park and InciWeb pages for the latest updates.
Prioritize safety and check official channels before planning your next visit.
Yahoo CreatorJill SchildhouseJill Schildhouse has 25 years of experience as a journalist, regularly contributing travel and cruise content to U.S. News & World Report, Reader's Digest, AARP, The Points Guy, and more. FollowFollow
