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.

The South Rim Fire near Gunnison grew to almost 3,000 acres Saturday morning after its growth and lack of containment forced the closure of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on Friday, when it was about 1,