Rocky Mountain National Park Announces Fall / Winter Pile Burning Operations

Date: September 20, 2006
Contact: Kyle Patterson, 970-586-1363
Contact: Doug Watry, 970-586-1211

Fire managers from Rocky Mountain National Park plan to take advantage of the upcoming cooler temperatures and more favorable fall weather conditions to burn piles of slash from several forest thinning projects. Exclusion of fire for the past century has resulted in unnatural forest conditions in some areas, with significant accumulations of forest fuels and an increased risk of a wildfire.

Excess vegetation was cut and piled by park fire crews last year. The piles, which are now dry enough to burn, are located on the northeast shoulder of Deer Mountain, in the Moraine Park storage area, the Glacier Basin admin use area, South of Mill Creek Ranger Station and west of Glacier Creek and in the Grand Lake area. The piles in the Grand Lake area are located in the housing and utility area, along the Grand Lake Lodge road and west of the Tonahutu/North Inlet trail along the park boundary. Pile burning operations may begin as early as November and continue into the winter as weather permits. These projects will help to restore the natural role of fire to the ecosystem. 

Safety factors, weather conditions, air quality and environmental regulations are continually monitored as a part of any fire management operation. For more information please contact the park’s information office at 970-586-1206.