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.

A wildfire that's burning in the southern part of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in western Colorado has grown to more than 1,600 acres. It has damaged some park equipment and several outbuildings.