Big Meadows Fire Evening Update June 16

Date: June 16, 2013
Contact: Bill Kight,  Fire Information Officer, [phone]
Contact: Clark McCreedy, Fire Information Officer, [phone]
Contact: Kyle Patterson, RMNP Information Officer, [phone]

With continued reinforcement of containment lines by crews working the Big Meadows Fire today, the fire is now considered to be 75% contained and encompasses 604 acres.   

This morning we had a medical emergency, not an accident, on the fireline of the Big Meadows Fire. The patient, a firefighter, was transported by emergency medical helicopter to an appropriate hospital. No additional information will be released at this time. 

Operations for tomorrow will emphasize the continued reinforcement of containment lines and rehabilitation of areas where crews were required to fall trees.  

This evening, the Incident Management Team will release one of our 'air attack' light planes that is used for reconnaissance and the one heavy helicopter currently assigned to the incident. Two of our assigned Type I hotshot crews will be released as well.  

Fire-fighting resources on the fire tomorrow, June 17, will include two wildland fire modules of eight fire-fighters each, two interagency 20-person Type I hotshot crews, and two fire engines. Available air resources will include one 'air attack' light plane, two light helicopters, and one  medium helicopter.  

Tomorrow, it is likely that we will see high temperatures that approach the lower 70s, relative humidity will be moderate, and winds will be generally 10-15 mph in the early morning, with gusts in the afternoon that approach 30 mph. A chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon may bring erratic winds to the area.  

The Timber Lake Trail will be open for day use only. Closures will continue in effect for the Onahu Trail, the Green Mountain Trail, and the lower Tonahutu Trail. Trail closures do affect a section of the Continental Divide Trail that passes through the park.  

All major roads and facilities in Rocky Mountain National Park are open as are our neighboring communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park. Visitors are strongly cautioned to be aware of increased traffic and aircraft associated with the fire. Keep alert, don't get hurt.                                                                                                                                                                         .  

Additional information: On the web: www.inciweb.org. Twitter feed: @RM_InciTeamA NPS Fire Information Line: 970.586.1381