Jamie Coffin recalls being one of several people flown out of the Grand Canyon because of a chlorine gas leak.

Wildfires have forced evacuations at two U.S. national parks in the West as summer monsoon storms increase lightning in the region.

Two fast-moving wildfires—the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires—have scorched more than 45,000 acres, destroyed the iconic North Rim lodge and dozens of structures, and led to long-term closures in the Grand Canyon.

A growing wildfire ignited by lightning is prompting evacuations near the Grand Canyon after burning through over 1,000 acres in Arizona

A lightning-caused wildfire known as the Dragon Bravo Fire is burning on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The fire is currently estimated at approximately 10 acres and is located south of the Basin near the W1 Road.

The North Rim was evacuated Thursday because of wildfire and will remain closed for the rest of the season, the park said in a statement.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has called for an independent investigation into the federal response management of a wildfire that caused numerous residents and workers to evacuate and destroyed a historic lodge.

U.S. land managers have long known that they have a problem on their hands with overgrown forests and persistent drought.