Rocky Mountain National Park Announces Fall Prescribed Burning

Date: September 10, 2008
Contact: Kyle Patterson, 970-586-1363
Contact: Mike Lewelling, 970-586-1287

Fire managers from Rocky Mountain National Park are preparing to take advantage of favorable weather conditions to conduct prescribed burning in an area south of Trail Ridge Road. Managers will burn multiple segments totaling up to 200-900 acres. The primary goal of the project is to reduce the threat of wildland fire to adjacent communities and park infrastructure by using prescribed fire to reduce the fuel available in the project area.

Preparations are currently taking place in order to burn these units within the next couple of months when conditions are suitable to burn. The unit is located in upper Beaver Meadows, west of the Beaver meadows entrance station and south of Deer Ridge Junction.

Prescribed burning operations may begin as early as September 16th, but may occur any time this fall when weather and fuel conditions are appropriate. If burning does take place, it may last from one to several days with smoke visible from Highways 34 and 36 as well as other locations in the park. Every effort will be made to minimize smoke impacts on visitors and the adjacent community; however some smoke is anticipated to flow down the Beaver Brook and Big Thompson River corridors and into the Town of Estes Park in the morning hours.

The Upper Beaver Meadows Road and trailheads along the road may be closed at times for visitor safety. The road is expected to be open evenings for elk viewing.

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 [phone].