Evacuation Orders Broaden as Arizona’s White Sage Fire Escalates
In a swift turn of events, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has extended evacuation orders due to the rapidly spreading White Sage Fire. This fire has surged from an estimated 1,000 acres to over 8,640 acres within a day, according to updates from Coconino County Emergency Management.
The expanded evacuation zone now covers a vast region from the Utah border down to the North Rim, reaching east to the House Rock Valley, and west to the Kaibab National Forest’s boundary. Areas affected include the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, Jacob Lake, and adjacent forested zones, all of which were evacuated by Thursday evening.
Initially sparked by lightning on Wednesday, the fire began approximately 15 miles south of Fredonia. As of Thursday, the fire’s containment stood at 0%. “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,” states an alert from Grand Canyon National Park.
Several firefighting crews, including those from the Bureau of Land Management, are actively combating the blaze with ground teams and aircraft. Park officials emphasize that this incident is separate from the Dragon Bravo Fire, another lightning-induced blaze currently being managed for ecological benefits within the park.
This situation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as they become available.
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