Big Meadows Fire on West Side of Rocky Mountain National Park Closes 5 Trails

A small wildfire, named the Big Meadows Fire, was burning mostly in grass on the north end of Big Meadows on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) yesterday afternoon. A few trees have also burned. The fire, caused by lightning, was estimated to be around 2 acres in size.

An interagency crew consisting of RMNP staff and US Forest Service staff hiked to the area roughly 4.5 miles from the Green Mountain Trailhead to assess the fire. They hiked back out last night. An interagency helicopter assessed the fire as well.

Fire managers were to develop plans for containment and implement a minimum impact suppression strategy for this morning. Currently there are five trails temporarily closed in the area - the Onahu Trail, the Green Mountain Trail, the lower Tonahutu Trail, the Tonahutu Spur Trail and the Grand Lake Lodge Spur Trail.

Today's forecast for the Grand Lake area calls for sunny weather and winds gusting 15 to 25 MPH.

No further information is available at this time. Park officials stated they would provide an update by noon today.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com