News Release

Moccasin Mesa Fire Size Remains at 185 Acres

Date: August 7, 2018
Contact: Cristy Brown, 970-529-4608

The lightning caused Moccasin Mesa Fire remains at 185 acres. This fire began Saturday, August 4, 2018 as a result of a lighting storm the previous evening. Growth on the fire progressed rapidly on Saturday, burning in pinon and juniper fuels, but the use of air resources on August 4 and 5 allowed for fire fighters to safely engage the fire on the ground on Monday, August 6.  Command of the fire remains under the Durango Type 3 Incident Command Team. There are 117 resources from multiple agencies, including National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Forest Service, State, and County working together on the incident. The fire is 10% contained, and today’s objectives are to build additional containment line, maintaining a full suppression, direct attack strategy, and begin “mop up” operations. Air resources continue to support ground operations. There have been no injuries or other incidents related to the fire. 

The park is open. Services on Chapin Mesa are not impacted, however, the B Cut Parking Lot (the large parking lot near Park Point) is closed in order to support fire resources. Please do not stop in the roadway, allow fire personnel to have right of way, and remember drones are prohibited in Mesa Verde National Park. Please also use caution around the B Cut Parking Lot as there is heavy traffic in this area. 

We will update the park’s Facebook page regularly www.facebook.com/mesaverdenps.

-NPS-