PRESS RELEASE

Rocky Mountain National Park News Release

 

June 11, 2013 (Evening Update)

For Immediate Release

Kyle Patterson 970-586-1363

 

 

Lightning Caused Big Meadows Fire Increases In Size

No Structures Or Communities At Risk

 

This afternoon, due to high winds, low humidity and a large amount of beetle killed trees the Big Meadows Fire grew from 2 to 3 acres this morning to an estimated 300 to 400 acres through the day.  A recon flight this afternoon showed the fire moving to the northeast toward Nakai Peak.

This morning  an interagency crew consisting of Rocky Mountain National Park and US Forest Service firefighters were flown to the Big Meadows Fire located on the north end of Big Meadows on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park.  The location is roughly 4.5 miles from the Green Mountain Trailhead in a relatively remote section of Rocky Mountain National Park west of the Continental Divide.  Around 1:00 p.m. firefighters experienced extremely gusty winds that both deterred deploying smokejumpers and increased the fire’s growth.  No structures or communities are threatened.

A Boise Smokejumper Type III Team has taken over management of the fire.  A Type II team is on order and is expected to transition Thursday morning.  Fire managers have ordered additional air and ground resources including three additional helicopters and five additional Type I crews.  The Craig Hotshot Type I crew arrived this afternoon.  The weather forecast is for more warm, dry and windy conditions tomorrow and the fire is expected to be active. The area contains a large amount of beetle killed trees; firefighter and visitor safety will continue to be paramount.

Currently there are five trails temporarily closed in the area – the Onahu Trail, the Green Mountain Trail, the lower Tonahutu Trail, the Tonahutu Spur Trail and the Grand Lake Lodge Spur Trail.  All major roads in Rocky Mountain National Park are open.

The park has set up a recorded Fire Information Line at (970) 586-1381 which will be updated when new information on the Big Meadows Fire is available.

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.