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.

A historic lodge on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim is among more than 70 structures lost as a result of a fast-moving wildfire that continues to burn out of control.Newly released video captured on July 14,

The fire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon started from a lightning strike but was managed as a controlled burn until it spread.

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 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.

12News was invited aboard a Blackhawk helicopter for the governor’s aerial tour. The flight began early in the morning from the Arizona Army National Guard base at Papago Park. After a brief stop at Flagstaff Airport to pick up Hobbs and refuel, the group continued north toward the Grand Canyon.

Highway closures and evacuations remain in effect as a wildfire burns more than 58,000 acres in Coconino County. It is one of two blazes raging at or near the northern rim of the Grand Canyon.