Firefighters Remain to Patrol the Fern Lake Fire

Date: October 16, 2012
Contact: Julie Johndreau, 970-586-1363

The Fern Lake Fire has experienced minimal fire behavior of smoldering and creeping for the last few days. With only minimal fire spread likely through week's end, a National Incident Management Organization Team and some firefighting crews are being released today. Command of the fire was transferred back to Rocky Mountain National Park's staff this morning at 7 a.m.  

Firefighting crews that remain are continuing to manage the Fern Lake Fire with a full suppression strategy. Increasingly gusty winds may increase fire activity. Crews will continue to patrol and monitor the fire, which is 673 acres and 30% contained. Top priorities of park management and fire officials are safety of visitors and firefighters and keeping the fire within park boundaries.

An area closure continues to be in effect. Upper Beaver Meadows Road and Moraine Park Campground are closed. Bear Lake Road has reopened, but Fern Lake Road is still closed. To ensure visitor safety and to protect park resources, all trails and areas accessed from north and west (right side) of Bear Lake Road remain closed, including the Cub Lake Trail, Fern Lake Trail, Hollowell Park Trail, Bierstadt Trail, Bear Lake to Fern Lake Trail, and all trails south of Trail Ridge Road, including Ute Trail. Flattop Trail is open, but access is closed to Fern Lake and Bierstadt trails. Hikers may still access Nymph, Emerald and Dream lakes. Snow drifts have temporarily closed Trail Ridge Road at Many Parks Curve on the east side and Colorado River Trailhead on the west side.

Violation of any closure notice will result in citation and fine up to $500.

While crews continue their efforts, investigators are trying to determine how and where this fire ignited. IfyouwereinthevicinityoftheCubLakeTrail and/or theFernLakeTrail anytimebefore2 p.m.October 9, the day the fire was first reported, youmayhave pertinentinformation. Ifyousawanythingunusual or noteworthy,investigators wouldliketotalkwithyou. YoucancontacttheNational Park Servicetoshareyour information at970-586-1399.

Additional information about this fire can be found at www.inciweb.org, or by calling [phone]. New information will be released as it becomes available.