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.

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 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.

PHOENIX — Residents on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have been ordered to evacuate due to a fire in Grand Canyon National Park. The fire, named the Dragon Bravo Fire, is approximately 12,728 acres and has 8% containment. It was caused by lightning on July 4, officials with the National Park Service said.

A wildfire in tinder-dry forest destroyed dozens of buildings, prompting public outrage that it was left to burn for a week before firefighters tried to fully extinguish it.

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.

Ten restaurants in downtown Mesa are hosting a self-guided taco tour on Tuesday, July 22. Gibby has the deals that some restaurants will offer. The man was conscious and was taken to the hospital, police said. His status is unclear. Kylee Cruz has the traffic alert.

U.S. land managers have long known that they have a problem on their hands with overgrown forests and persistent drought.