News Release

Structural Fire At Glacier Creek Stables

Interagency firefighting efforts on Hay Barn at Glacier Creek Stables in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Courtesy Rocky Mountain National Park

News Release Date: September 18, 2021

Contact: Kyle Patterson

Contact: Park Information Office, [phone]

Late this afternoon a structural fire was reported at the Glacier Creek Stables in Rocky Mountain National Park near Sprague Lake. Park rangers and interagency firefighting resources arrived on scene to find a large two-story metal hay barn burning.  As structural firefighting resources battled the fire in the barn, park wildland fire resources laid hose downwind to help prevent a wildland fire in case embers were blown into the surrounding vegetation. Previous thinning and fire mitigation efforts have taken place in this area.    

The metal building kept the fire contained and lessened the likelihood of the fire spreading to the surrounding wildland area. Thousands of gallons of water have been used. As the hay and building continued to burn, excavators have pulled the building down to assist in extinguishing the fire. Crews are actively turning over debris and dousing flames.    

Bear Lake Road inbound traffic was temporarily closed for approximately three hours for emergency vehicle traffic.  Bear Lake Road reopened at 7 p.m. but the access road to Sprague Lake remains closed.      

Interagency resources from Estes Valley Fire Protection District, Allenspark Fire Protection District, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department, Pinewood Springs Fire Protection District, US Forest Service and Big Elk Meadows Volunteer Fire Department were involved with the firefighting efforts.    

There were no personal injuries and no horses were harmed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.