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 only lodging on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim was among dozens of structures consumed by the Dragon Bravo Fire, which has burned more than 5,000 acres.

The Grand Canyon Lodge was the park's one and only hotel, according the National Park Service, with the next nearest lodgings roughly 18 miles away.