Fire activity is increasing across the American west, as critically dry landscapes and spiking temperatures fueled blazes in 11 states on Friday. Evacuations were ordered at two national parks – Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the Grand Canyon in Arizona, as hot weather, low humidity and gusty winds pushed flames closer to recreation areas. The Grand Canyon’s North Rim in Arizona also closed on Thursday because of a wildfire on adjacent Bureau of Land Management land near Jacob Lake. The Coconino county sheriff’s office said it helped evacuate people from an area north of Jacob Lake and campers in the Kaibab national forest nearby. An extreme heat warning was also issued for the lower elevations of the Grand Canyon as daytime temperatures are expected to reach dangerous levels up to 115F through the weekend.