Southwest fires close national parks

Wildfires in New Mexico and Arizona have taken their toll on National Park visitation. Arizona's Saguaro National Park was closed for a few days when wildfires in the south part of the state worried officials about safety. During the closure a lightening strike caused a flare up was quickly controlled. Firefighters limited the damage to less than a tenth of an acre.

Next door in New Mexico, Bandelier National Monument is still closed due to the same wildfire that threatened the National Laboratory at Los Alamos. The fire in the monument threatened a newly renovated visitor center, and officials closed the park on June 27. As of today the park remains closed.

photos: NPS