Multiple wildfires have forced Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to evacuate visitors and staff and close the area until further notice.
Lightning strikes ignited wildfires on both the North Rim and South Rim of the park on the morning on July 10th, 2025. High temperatures, low humidity, gusty winds, and very dry vegetation all led to extreme fire danger in the Black Canyon area. Currently Montrose County is in a Stage 1 Fire restriction.
The fire on the South rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, 9 miles east of Montrose, CO, has grown to 1,640 acres. It is currently 0% contained and is primarily fueled by pinyon and juniper mixed with sage and grass.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in west-central Colorado on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. It was first established as a national monument in 1933 and redesignated as a national park in 1999.
