News Release

Winter Pile Burning Operations Planned When Conditions Permit in Rocky Mountain National Park

Fire manager stands near active pile burn near Deer Mountain.

Courtesy Rocky Mountain National Park.

News Release Date: January 7, 2026

Contact: Park Information Office, [phone]

Fire managers at Rocky Mountain National Park plan to take advantage of favorable winter weather and conditions to conduct pile burning operations in a variety of locations including Deer Mountain, near Lily Lake, near Moraine and Glacier Basin Campgrounds, off Highway 7 in the Wild Basin area and near Allenspark. Slash from hazard fuels treatments has been cut and piled by NPS fire crews and contractors over the last two years and are now ready to be burned. Pile burning will only occur this winter when weather and conditions allow.    

The primary goal of this fuels reduction project is to reduce the threat of wildland fire to adjacent communities and NPS infrastructure to help reduce the amount of fuels available in case of a wildfire. When fighting the East Troublesome Fire in 2020 and the Fern Lake Fire in 2012, firefighters were able to take advantage of previous and existing prescribed fire and hazardous fuels treatment areas that provided a buffer between the fires and the town of Estes Park. Prior hazard fuels projects were instrumental in stopping both fires from crossing Bear Lake and Trail Ridge Roads.   

Pile burning operations only take place when conditions allow. Firefighters will be on scene for the duration of the operation and will be patrolling the burn pile areas. Smoke from the burn will be visible throughout the day of the burn, mostly during the warmest part of the day. With cooler temperatures in the evening, smoke may linger and accumulate in low-lying areas.  Fuels reduction projects like these are not designed to be a stand-alone defense against wildfires nor do they guarantee to hold a wildfire in the worst of conditions. We all need to do our part. Homeowners are encouraged to complete wildfire mitigation on your property. For tips and resources, visit www.firewise.org and https://nocofireshed.org/resources/     
Smoke may be visible both inside and outside the park. Every effort will be made to minimize smoke impacts on visitors and the adjacent community; however, some smoke is anticipated to disperse east of the park. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information on the health effects of wildland fire smoke and how to reduce your exposure, please visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website, Wood Smoke and Health.       

Safety factors, weather conditions, air quality, personnel availability and environmental regulations are continually monitored as part of any fire management operation. For more information please contact the park Information Office at [phone].