Rocky Mountain National Park fire managers are preparing to conduct a prescribed burn covering up to 294 acres on Wednesday, November 19, if weather and conditions prove favorable. The planned burn area is situated inside Rocky Mountain National Park, specifically west of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and in proximity to Upper Beaver Meadows Road.
As a result of the burn operations' proximity to U.S. Highway 36, a temporary closure of the highway will be implemented from Deer Ridge Junction to Bear Lake Road Junction. This closure is scheduled to last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the burn. Despite this, both the Beaver Meadows Entrance and Bear Lake Road will remain accessible. Visitors intending to reach Many Parks Curve are advised to enter the park via the Fall River Entrance, which utilizes U.S. Highway 34. For the safety of both park visitors and the firefighting personnel, stopping along U.S. Highway 36 near the burn area or walking within or near the burn area will not be permitted.
The primary objective of this project, known as the Front Country Prescribed Fire, is to mitigate the risk of wildland fire spreading to neighboring communities and National Park Service infrastructure. This is achieved by intentionally reducing the quantity of available fuels in the designated area through prescribed fire. This strategy has proven effective in previous instances; fire teams successfully utilized existing prescribed fire and hazardous fuels treatment areas as crucial buffers during the East Troublesome Fire in 2020 and the Fern Lake Fire in 2012. These prior projects were instrumental in preventing those fires from crossing Bear Lake Road and Trail Ridge Road, thereby safeguarding the town of Estes Park.
Fire managers have assessed the potential for favorable weather and specific conditions that make this week suitable for the operation. Nathan Hallam, a Fuels Specialist for Rocky Mountain National Park, indicated that "winds are expected to be enough to disperse smoke but not put containment lines at risk." Furthermore, precipitation anticipated later in the week is expected to assist in extinguishing any lingering heat following the completion of operations. The fuels earmarked for this burn primarily consist of grasses and small shrubs, which means heavy and prolonged smoke is not anticipated. However, smoke from the prescribed burn will be observable throughout the day, particularly during the warmest hours. Cooler evening temperatures may lead to smoke lingering and accumulating in lower-lying areas. While efforts will be made to minimize smoke impacts on visitors and adjacent communities, some smoke is expected to disperse to the east of the park. Park officials advise that smoke may be visible both within and outside the park and could potentially affect health.
Throughout the entire operation, firefighters will be present on scene, actively patrolling the burned area to ensure safety and monitor conditions. The decision to proceed with the burn is based on continuous monitoring of various factors, including safety considerations, current weather patterns, air quality, the availability of personnel, and relevant environmental regulations.
For additional information, the park's Information Office can be reached at (970) 586-1206. The Information Office operates year-round, with summer hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. During the winter season, it is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and Sundays. For updates regarding Trail Ridge Road, a recorded status line is available 24 hours a day at (970) 586-1222.