Mesa Verde National Park - Fire Management Office

The Fire
Pinyon Pine, Utah Juniper and Gambel Oak dominate the vegetation of Mesa Verde. In a hot dry summer, like the summer of 2000, these plants are susceptible to fire. When lightning started a fire near Pony Canyon on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, it appeared that it could be quickly contained, but, the wind shifted on Friday and began blowing flames toward the park. Evacuation orders were given because there is only one exit road from the park. 3000 acres burned that day. The fire burned in steep, rugged inaccessible canyons and dry mesas. Unpredictable winds and very low humidity levels allowed the fire to advance rapidly.

On Saturday, the blaze reached Wetherill Mesa where joint National Park Service and National Geographic Society archeologists had stabilized a number of prehistoric dwellings and made them available to the public starting in 1972. On Saturday, the fire swept across Wetherill Mesa destroying day-use facilities including rest rooms, ranger station, and a visitor shelter and snack bar. There was also damage to shelters that protected pithouses and early pueblos. Long House, the second largest alcove structure in the park, and Step House, a unique alcove with both a pithouse and pueblo community, suffered little damage. Visitation to Wetherill Mesa will be restricted until visitor safety can be assured and access routes to structures can be repaired.

Pony Fire created large plumes during intense burning. On Sunday as the fire threatened to move toward Chapin Mesa, firefighting personnel worked to protect historic structures including employee housing, research center, park headquarters, and museum. Some of these structures were built in the 1920's while the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed others in the 1930's. Air tankers and helicopters dropped water and retardant, which slowed forward movement of the fire. Vegetation was removed to provide safety zones and to reduce fuel in case flames spread to this area. Fire engines were brought up to the mesa and sprinklers were put into place to prevent buildings from burning.

Firefighter on Wetherill Mesa with Pony Fire. By Monday and Tuesday, higher humidity levels and reduced winds helped firefighters in their efforts to cut a containment line around the fire. Because of their hard work, the fire was contained on Friday. The park was reopened to large crowds on Monday, August 14.

Impact on the Ute Mountain Reservation
While the Pony Fire had an enormous impact on Mesa Verde National Park, it is important to remember that the fire burned far more acreage on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. Most of the burn area had not been surveyed for archaeological sites. Previously unknown sites; mounds of rocks, pottery sherds, and depressions in the dirt where walls had once stood had been covered by overgrown vegetation. These sites are now exposed and subject to erosion.

Since the Utes traditionally migrated to canyon bottoms in the winter and to mesa top campsites in the summer, it is likely that many of their historic structures were consumed by the conflagration. Of particular concern to the Ute tribe was the loss of Chief Jack House's log cabin and the associated outbuildings that made up his homesite. Chief Jack House was the last traditional chief of the Ute Mountain Ute. He remained a powerful leader after the US government mandated that all tribes adopt a constitution and democratically elect a tribal council. His grandson, Ernest House, is the current tribal chairman.

Moving Forward
A Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) Team organized by the Department of the Interior has been working to promptly evaluate and mitigate adverse effects of both the Bircher Fire and the Pony Fire on soil, water, and critically threatened natural and cultural resources. The BAER Team will work with the park and the Ute Mountain Ute to implement emergency measures to mitigate soil erosion, threats to rare species, and protection of archeological sites. A major concern is the invasion of non-native plant species into the burn area.

Pony Fire burned through several archeological sites like this one, Mushroom House. Another archeological site escapes major damage except to retaining wall.

Fire is part of nature's cycle. Previous efforts to suppress small fires may have resulted in an abnormal "fuel load" leading to recent, massive fires. Fuel reduction programs will continue as the park's fire policies are reviewed.

We encourage you to revisit the park and watch the natural process of healing that will continue for generations.

Pony Fire behind the No Open Fire sign.