A wildfire that tore through a historic Grand Canyon Lodge​ had been allowed to burn for days before erupting over the weekend, raising questions about federal officials' decision not to aggressively attack it right away.

A wildfire on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim has consumed some 5,000 acres and destroyed between 50 and 80 structures, including National Park Service administrative buildings, visitor facilities, a gas station and a water treatment plant.

The fire that burned for days on the North Rim of Grand Canyon before it became uncontrollable was "expertly handled," the National Park Service said.