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.

The Dragon Bravo Fire started on July 4 and was managed at first as a controlled burn. Then the wind picked up, and it quickly became uncontrollable.

The Dragon Bravo Fire has destroyed dozens of structures and a water treatment facility, and the White Sage Fire, located in Kaibab National Forest, has forced hundreds to evacuate.

Dozens of buildings inside the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have been destroyed, including a historic lodge, as a chlorine gas leak has forced firefighter evacuations from the Dragon Bravo Fire.

The lightning-caused wildfire that consumed roughly 70 structures seemed unremarkable for days. High winds changed that.