Status of Fern Lake Fire - October 11, 9:30 a.m.

Date: October 11, 2012
Contact: James Doyle, 970-586-1363

A wildfire located west of the Fern Lake Trailhead on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park saw no significant activity overnight. The fire, which began on Tuesday, October 9, is believed to have burned around 400 acres. It remains uncontained as of 8 a.m. today, but is behaving as firefighters predicted.

The fire, west of Moraine Park, is being managed with a full suppression strategy, and is burning in steep, rugged terrain that includes beetle-killed trees that prohibits direct attack by firefighters on the ground. Crews are focusing on containing the fire where possible and planning for long range fire suppression efforts. More than 120 personnel, seven fire engines, and heavy helitankers are on scene. No structures are threatened by the fire.

The continued safety of visitors and firefighters and the containment of the fire in the park remain the top priorities of park and fire officials.

Today, fire crews will continue to work to contain the fire inside park boundaries, north of Glacier Creek, west of Hollowell Park and south of Trail Ridge Road.

Currently, Bear Lake Road, Upper Beaver Meadows Road and Moraine Park Campground are closed. Trails west of Bear Lake Road and south of Trail Ridge Road are also closed. Trail Ridge Road remains open.

Smoke remains visible in Estes Park, and park staff are coordinating closely with Larimer County and Town of Estes Park officials.

A cold front is expected to pass through the area of the fire later today and there is a chance of precipitation on Friday, October 12. High temperatures in the upper 50s are predicted in the park with westerly winds from 7 to 11 m.p.h.

Due to fire conditions at Rocky Mountain National Park, smoking and open fires in the park's backcountry are now prohibited.

Information about the fire will be updated in additional press releases and made available on the park's website and the park's recorded fire information number at [phone], as new information becomes available.