Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Russ Wilde from KCSG ReportingA large fire on the rim of the Grand Canyon is causing problems in Arizona.
It was a smokey day all across southern Utah and Northern Arizona. Firefighters say the views of the Grand Canyon from the south rim have been blocked out by smoke and tourist visiting the north rim were evacuated.
A parade of cars carrying tourists is escorted out of the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The warm fire has consumed over 50 thousand acres and park officials weren't taking any chances. They closed the North rim of the park and told close to 1000 tourists and employees they had to get out.
Lightning started this blaze close to three weeks ago. Fire managers decided to let it burn to clear out some dead fall out.
Firefighters spent the day firming up fire lines and providing protection to structures that are still threatened by the unpredictable fire.
For the people evacuated from the national park, the fire means a change of plans. Arizona highway 67 into the north rim is closed. Crews say it's a day to day decision when the road and the north rim will reopen.
