A wildfire in tinder-dry forest on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon grew around 50% on Tuesday after it destroyed dozens of buildings, prompting public outrage that it was left to burn for a week before firefighters tried to fully extinguish it.

The Dragon Bravo Fire has burned more than 8,500 acres southeast of the Grand Canyon. The fire was sparked by lightning on July 4 and has destroyed dozens of structures on the North Rim, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.

The Dragon Bravo fire has burned more than 5,000 acres and destroyed numerous historic Grand Canyon structures.

Crews fighting a wildfire were focused on stopping the flames from consuming nearby cabins, a water pumping station, mule stables and other structures, fire officials said.

Officials said the Dragon Bravo Fire, burning in the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, "exhibited extreme and volatile fire behavior the evening of July 12.

The historic Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging on the North Rim, was destroyed by the Dragon Bravo Fire Sunday