The Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim, often described as the park’s quieter, wilder side, is now closed indefinitely following a fast-moving wildfire that has engulfed more than 8,500 acres and destroyed dozens of structures, including one of the park’s most beloved landmarks, the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.

"Though it was definitely not your average vacation trip, everything worked out okay. We made the best of it," Russ Christian said.

The NWS warning was in effect for regions of the Grand Canyon below 4,000 feet elevation. Temperatures were forecast to potentially reach 110 degrees at Phantom Ranch and 102 at Havasupai Gardens.

After the Dragon Bravo fire destroyed the historic lodge and other buildings on the night of the eleventh, Horning noticed on his phone app that two helicopters began water drops on the morning of the twelfth and slurry drops began on the thirteenth.