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.

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.

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.