BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO — Lightning strikes ignited two wildfires on Thursday morning, prompting the swift evacuation of all staff, visitors, and campers from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and adjacent National Forest campgrounds. The park, located approximately 14 miles northeast of Montrose, remains closed until further notice.
One fire erupted near the South Rim just after 11:30 a.m. Thursday, spreading across mixed pinyon‑pine, juniper, sage, and grass into around 1,640 acres by Friday morning with zero containment according to Colorado Public Radio. The North Rim fire, by comparison, remains under one acre and has been extinguished.
“The combination of high temperatures, very low humidity, gusty winds, and dry vegetation across the region has led to extreme fire danger at Black Canyon,” stated park officials. A red flag warning was in effect for the Western Slope, with winds gusting up to 40–50 mph and humidity levels dangerously low.
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Colorado State Patrol and Montrose County Sheriff’s Office assisted with evacuations, closing Highway 347 at Highway 50 and sending a state fire engine to the North Rim blaze. At the South Rim, aerial and ground firefighting efforts—supported by state and local teams—are ongoing.
Campers Ali and Ethan Cameron recall a surreal night: awakened around 3 a.m. by lightning and thunder without rain, they left their tent and sheltering in their car before driving out by 6:30 a.m. Only later did they learn the park was undergoing evacuation . “We’ve…never experienced something like this before,” Ali Cameron shared .
The fires coincide with a broader pattern of lightning‑triggered wildfires across western Colorado. The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit reported about ten new lightning-caused fires within its dispatch area Thursday .
In neighboring Chaffee County, a wildfire northwest of Buena Vista consumed roughly 60 acres and destroyed two homes in the Mountain View Estates subdivision, prompting the evacuation of 50 homes . Additional lightning‑sparks sparked four other fires southeast of Grand Junction and near Norwood, all being actively suppressed.
The current convergence of powerful afternoon thunderstorms, parched vegetation, and gusty winds sets a classic stage for wildfires in Colorado’s high‑elevation canyons. The rapid growth of the South Rim fire—with zero containment amid red flag conditions—underscores the risks of back‑to‑back lightning‑storm events. Park closures and evacuations reflect prudent preventive action, though they also highlight the vulnerability of remote recreation lands when fire weather threats surge.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Tips & Lessons Learned
Always practice these responsible recreation tips to help prevent wildfires and ensure you remain safe if and when they occur.
If lightning occurs without subsequent rain—or accompanied by strong winds—be alert: conditions are ripe for ground ignition.
Heed early evacuation alerts; cell reception may fail once storms strike.
Visit the NPS InciWeb or the park’s official site for real-time fire and closure updates.
Familiarize yourself with wildfire preparedness: Colorado Parks & Wildlife offers guidelines and checklists.
Respect all Stage 1 or higher fire restrictions—particularly on public lands and near forests.
