​The wildfire that destroyed a historic lodge on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon this month was the latest blow to the struggling National Park Service after months of staffing and funding cuts under the Trump administration.

The senators referenced the 2006 Warm Fire, another lightning-caused fire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon that was initially allowed to burn as a wildland use fire. The Warm Fire ultimately destroyed 59,000 acres of land and nearly killed a thousand people.

The building was surrounded by vegetation on fire when a team of "helitack" firefighters arrived to protect the area on Tuesday. Grand Canyon National Park officials said the crews knew if the pump house fell, the consequences could cripple park operations for months.

Fire managers were able to confirm the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and many other historic cabins amid the widespread flames. Footage captured by the Grand Canyon NPS reveals smoke from the fire along the north rim of the park. Parts of the land were stained by fire retardant dropped by an aircraft.

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 Dragon Bravo Fire in Arizona has destroyed dozens of structures and a water treatment facility on the Grand Canyon's North Rim.

A new report has calculated that making national parks the responsibility of states would raise costs, cut revenue and reduce access for Arizonans.

Strong winds and hot, dry weather continue to fuel two separate wildfires near the northwestern side of the Grand Canyon Saturday, closing the canyon’s North Rim and forcing evacuations throughout the area.

The Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim, often described as the park’s quieter, wilder side, is now closed indefinitely following a fast-moving wildfire that has engulfed more than 8,500 acres and destroyed dozens of structures, including one of the park’s most beloved landmarks, the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.