The lightning-sparked South Rim fire burning in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park grew to nearly 3,000 acres and continued to force evacuations of nearby homes, fire officials said

Visitors and staff at two national parks in the U.S. West have been evacuted because of wildfires. Officials at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado say the park closed Thursday morning after lightning sparked blazes on both rims.

Firefighters continue to battle the South Rim fire in the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park Saturday, as the blaze burned over 1,000 acres overnight, leading to evacuations for nearby neighborhoods.