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.

Some effects of Arizona's Dragon Bravo Fire are clear, but what's happened to wildlife may not be known until the flames die down.

A combination of high winds, dry air and above average temperatures caused a wildfire in the Grand Canyon to rapidly expand and cause major damage.

The Dragon Bravo Fire has left a path of destruction in the Grand Canyon's North Rim, burning down the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. The National Park Service on July 19 released photos of the park, showing burned-down structures, charred mountainsides and a smoke-filled canyon.

A wildfire that destroyed a historic Grand Canyon lodge is continuing to spread out of control after it had been allowed to burn for days.

Wildfires can burn and spread differently depending on what vegetation they burn. The two fires in northern Arizona have varied landscapes. Ponderosa pine trees grow near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and can live for hundreds of years.

The Grand Canyon's North Bravo Fire intensified on July 11, the day before Katy Rock Shop owner Jacob Proctor and his family arrived at the national park.