Gov. Polis declares emergency as South Rim fire in Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park grows, still zero percent contained

Black Canyon South Rim Wildfire
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A firefighting helicopter passes over smoke billowing from the South Rim fire at Black Canyon National Park, July 13, 2025. The park closed until further notice as numerous state and federal agencies, including firefighters on the ground, aircraft dropping retardant from above, work to contain the t

Black Canyon South Rim Wildfire
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Signs on Highway 50 outside Montrose tell motorists the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is closed, July 13, 2025. Numerous state and federal agencies, including firefighters on the ground, aircraft dropping retardant from above, have been working to contain the South Rim wildfire burning in the park since it started last week. Most of the fire is on NPS land and some Bureau of Land Management land, west of Montrose, Colorado.