Big Meadows Fire Morning 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 the continued reinforcement of containment lines by crews working the Big Meadows Fire, the fire is now considered to be 60% contained. Following last night's flight to map the fire, the fire perimeter is now estimated to encompass 604 acres. 

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

Fire-fighting resources on the fire today, Father's Day, June 16, will include two wildland fire modules of eight fire-fighters each, four interagency 20-person Type I hotshot crews, and two fire engines. Available air resources include two 'air attack' small planes used for fire reconnaissance, two light helicopters, a medium helicopter, and one large heavy helicopter. This evening, as containment progresses, the Incident Management Team will release one of the air attack planes and the heavy helicopter so that they may be reassigned to other fires in the region. 

High temperatures today will approach 70-74 degrees, relative humidity will be moderate, winds will be generally 10-15 mph by 10:00 AM, with gusts in the afternoon that approach 30 mph. Fire-fighters will experience erratic winds throughout the afternoon.  An approaching high pressure system arriving to the area Wednesday, however, may bring higher temperatures, lower humidity, and erratic winds that may increase fire danger. 

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