The lightning-sparked South Rim fire in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has burned 3,556 acres with no containment and mandatory evacuations remain in place.

Firefighters are trying to contain several more fires on the Western Slope, and air quality alerts are in effect for much of the state.

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.