Republic photographer Michael Chow captured the wildfire in a time-lapse video taken July 14 from the Canyon's South Rim. Chow set up his camera on a tripod, pointed it at the smoke, hoping it cleared at some point and and shot a photo every four seconds for 4 1/2 hours.

Within days, temperatures soared and humidity dropped, and when winds developed, the fire exploded.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs demanded an independent investigation into the federal government's handling of the fire, which was sparked by lightning on July 4.