Rain on Monday helped knock down the Fuller Fire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. This shot was taken Saturday, July 16/NPS

Rainfall has come to the aid of firefighters battling a blaze on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, where efforts Tuesday were transitioning to mop-up work.

A park release said rainfall across the 14,131-acre Fuller Fire on Monday totaled between a tenth- and a quarter-of-an-inch. "These rains helped crews hold and strengthen existing fire perimeter lines to the north and south. Crews reported low intensity smoldering and creeping fire behavior as woody ground cover and logs were consumed," the release added.

“Fire has been a natural process across this landscape for thousands of years,” said Randall Walker, district ranger for the Kaibab National Forest. “Our special Wilderness places will be more sustainable and resilient in the future because of this fire.”

Additional rainfall was expected throughout Tuesday. Firefighters were searching out and dousing any hot spots near existing fire perimeter control lines. The fire was expected to continue to smolder and creep toward the west and within the interior of the fire.

Closures:

All U.S. Forest Service areas east of Highway 67 and south of Tater Ridge Rd (FSR 213) and east of House Rock Valley Rd (FSR 8910).

Trail closures:

Arizona Trail: Lindberg Hill north to the Park boundary; Ken Patrick Trail: starting at the Uncle Jim Trail junction; Point Imperial Trail; Nankoweap Trail; Saddle Mountain Trail, South Canyon Trail.

Road closures include:

Fuller Canyon Road; Cape Royal Road; Point Imperial Road; FSR 610; FSR 611. Closures will be in place until further notice. Highway 67 and the North Rim Visitor Center, Lodge and Campground are OPEN as well as FSR22 and Rainbow Rim Trail on Kaibab National Forest.