Strong winds and hot, dry weather continue to fuel two separate wildfires near the northwestern side of the Grand Canyon Saturday, closing the canyon’s North Rim and forcing evacuations throughout the area.

Two fast-spreading wildfires force the evacuation of parts of the Grand Canyon, with the US National Park Service ordering visitors and residents away from its northern rim.

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 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

The NPS recommends avoiding hiking the Grand Canyon's inner trails between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when temperatures are at their peak. Temperatures in the inner canyon can reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade, creating "extremely hazardous conditions for hikers," the NPS said.

A hiker has died on the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon National Park while attempting to reach the Colorado River.

A 67-year-old Texan planning to spend a night at Phantom Ranch on the floor of Grand Canyon National Park collapsed and died while hiking down the South Kaibab Trail.