Update On Search Efforts For Missing Man Last Seen On Mount Meeker

Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue members continued search efforts in the field for Brian Perri through Sunday, July 15. Unfortunately, no clues have been found. Search managers are analyzing and continuing investigations. Dog teams will be used again this weekend. It has been twenty-one days since Perri was last heard from.

Extensive search efforts began the evening of Thursday, July 5, and have encompassed significant sections of 22.5 square miles above tree line as well as forested areas. The majority of the search area is in rugged and remote terrain with loose rock, steep ridges, and exposed cliffs, on ridge lines and couloirs. The area has been searched by helicopters, ground searchers, dog teams, and UAS reconnaissance. Assisting Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue members has been Larimer County Search and Rescue members and dog teams, Rocky Mountain Rescue based in Boulder County, Fort Collins Police, Northern Colorado Helitack, Front Range Rescue Dogs, Flight For Life Air Ambulance and Colorado Search and Rescue Board members.

Perri’s destination was believed to be the summit of Mount Meeker. This would be approximately 14 miles round trip from the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead. His exact route was unknown. Most of the route is beyond trail access which would necessitate bushwhacking, mountaineering and route finding through thick forests and the ability to travel in rugged remote terrain with loose rock, steep ridges and exposed cliffs.

Late Thursday July 5, park rangers were notified by Fort Collins Police that Brian Joseph Perri, 38, of Fort Collins, Colorado, had been reported as missing. Perri was last known in the Mount Meeker area of Rocky Mountain National Park. On June 30, Perri texted a friend a photograph of himself from the summit of Mount Meeker. After rangers were notified of the missing man on July 5, six days after he was expected back, they located Perri’s car in the parking lot at the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead.

Perri was day hiking and was expected out on Saturday, June 30. In the photograph he texted, he was wearing a tan full brim hat, sunglasses, and red backpack. He has minimal equipment and may have a yellow rain jacket and yellow orange puffy jacket. He had no known tent or camping equipment. Perri is 5’9” and weighs 160 pounds.

Park rangers would like to hear from anyone who has been in the Mount Meeker area since Saturday, June 30. Especially those who noticed abandoned gear or other clues. Please call or text the National Park Service Investigative Services Bureau at 888-653-0009.



Jeff
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Total Fire Ban Lifted At Rocky Mountain National Park

The complete fire ban that was put in place in Rocky Mountain National Park on July 6, 2018, has been lifted due to current conditions. Rocky Mountain National Park always has Stage 1 fire restrictions in place, where campfires are prohibited in the park, except within designated campfire rings in picnic areas and front-country campgrounds. The last time a total fire ban (Stage 2 fire restrictions) was in place in the park was in June of 2012.

The use of disposable or portable charcoal grills, wood fuel camp stoves and gas grills is allowed. Fireworks are always prohibited within the park. Park visitors are urged to use caution and vigilance regarding the use of fire in authorized locations.

For further information on fire conditions in the park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or contact the park’s Information Office at 970-586-1206.



Jeff
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Updated cancellation policy will benefit campers at Colorado State Parks

Customers who need to cancel their campground reservations at a Colorado state park can now do so online at cpwshop.com or at 1-800-244-5613 at any time prior to or during their stay. The new policy allows greater flexibility for customers and helps CPW staff more easily track campground cancellations in real-time. The new system will also help CPW staff implementing the reservation-only camping pilot program allowing for last-minute reservations at six state parks.

The new rules are as follows:

14 or more days prior to arrival: Customers may cancel online or by phone and receive a full refund of the reservation use fees. (Customer is still charged the $10 reservation fee and $6 cancellation fee.)

13 days prior to arrival through the day of arrival: Customers may cancel online or by phone and receive a refund of the reservation use fees. (Customer is still charged the $10 reservation fee and first night's use fee.)

The day after arrival through the day of departure: Customers may cancel online or by phone and receive a refund of the reservation use fees. (Customer is still charged the $10 reservation fee and use fees for any nights the customer has stayed.)

Customers who wish to receive a refund outside of these rules will need to contact the park at which they have the reservation directly. Refunds of nights stayed, the reservation fee, or the cancellation fee will not be considered for bugs, bad weather, campfire bans, or low water levels.



Jeff
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Search Efforts Continue For Missing Man in Rocky Mountain National Park

Yesterday was day five of search operations for Brian Perri, day ten from the last time he was heard from. Unfortunately, no clues have been found throughout this extensive five day search effort. Yesterday, efforts were concentrated on search dog operations and Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) reconnaissance flights. The UAS was utilized in a segment of the search area southeast of Peacock Pool and a section of the north face of Mount Meeker. Ground search efforts were concentrated in and around Hunters Creek and Lookout Mountain.

Since Thursday, the search area has encompassed significant sections of 22.5 square miles. The area has been searched by helicopters, ground searchers, dog teams, and UAS reconnaissance, providing a great deal of coverage. Today, search managers are analyzing the UAS reconnaissance footage and information from the previous days search efforts and continuing to adjust search tactics accordingly.

Late Thursday July 5, park rangers were notified by Fort Collins Police that Brian Joseph Perri, 38, of Fort Collins, Colorado, had been reported as missing. Perri was last known day hiking on Saturday, June 30, in the Mount Meeker area of Rocky Mountain National Park. On June 30, Perri texted a friend a photograph of himself from the summit of Mount Meeker. After rangers were notified of the missing man, they located Perri’s car in the parking lot at the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead.

Perri was day hiking and was expected out on Saturday, June 30. Perri’s destination was believed to be the summit of Mount Meeker. This would be approximately 14 miles round trip from the location of his car. In the photograph he texted, he was wearing a tan full brim hat, sunglasses, and red backpack. He has minimal equipment and may have a yellow rain jacket and yellow orange puffy jacket. He had no known tent or camping equipment. Perri is 5’9” and weighs 160 pounds.

The search and investigation is ongoing. Park rangers would like to hear from anyone who has been in the Mount Meeker area since Saturday, June 30. Especially those who noticed abandoned gear or other clues. Please call (970) 586-1204.



Jeff
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Update on Search Efforts For Missing Man Last Seen On Mount Meeker

Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue members continue search efforts today for Brian Perri. Perri’s last known location was the summit of Mount Meeker (13,911 feet) on Saturday, June 30. Northern Colorado Helitack is again supporting today’s aerial search efforts. Also assisting Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue members today is Larimer County Search and Rescue and Rocky Mountain Rescue based in Boulder County. There are 64 people involved in today’s efforts, including 46 searchers in the field.

Search efforts will again concentrate on ridge lines and couloirs including the Loft Route via Keplinger’s Couloir, the Dragon’s Egg Couloir and Meeker Ridge, as well as lower sections of Mount Meeker.

Late Thursday July 5, park rangers were notified by Fort Collins Police that Brian Joseph Perri, 38, of Fort Collins, Colorado, had been reported as missing. Perri was last known day hiking on Saturday, June 30, in the Mount Meeker area of Rocky Mountain National Park. On June 30, Perri texted a friend a photograph of himself from the summit of Mount Meeker. After rangers were notified of the missing man, they located Perri’s car in the parking lot at the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead.

Perri was day hiking and was expected out on Saturday, June 30. Perri’s destination was believed to be the summit of Mount Meeker. This would be approximately 14 miles round trip from the location of his car. In the photograph he texted, he was wearing a tan full brim hat, sunglasses, and red backpack. He has minimal equipment and may have a yellow rain jacket and yellow orange puffy jacket. He had no known tent or camping equipment. Perri is 5’9” and weighs1 60 pounds.

Park rangers would like to hear from anyone who has been in the Mount Meeker area since Saturday, June 30. Especially those who noticed abandoned gear or other clues. Please call (970) 586-1204.



Jeff
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Search Underway In Mount Meeker Area Rocky Mountain National Park

Late yesterday afternoon, Thursday July 5, park rangers were notified by Fort Collins Police that Brian Joseph Perri, 38, of Fort Collins, Colorado, had been reported as missing. Perri was last known day hiking on Saturday, June 30, in the Mount Meeker area of Rocky Mountain National Park. On June 30, Perri texted a friend a photograph of himself from the summit of Mount Meeker. After rangers were notified of the missing man, they located Perri’s car in the parking lot at the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead.

Late yesterday, before nightfall, a Flight For Life Air Ambulance assisted park staff by conducting a brief aerial search near the summit of Mount Meeker. Early this morning, Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members began ground search efforts. The search efforts will focus on the summit of Mount Meeker and ridge lines extending off of Mount Meeker above tree line. Northern Colorado Helitack will assist with aerial search efforts today, pending weather and conditions.

Perri was day hiking and was expected out on Saturday, June 30. Perri’s destination was believed to be the summit of Mount Meeker. In the photograph he texted, he was wearing a tan full brim hat, sunglasses, and red backpack. He has minimal equipment and may have a yellow rain jacket and yellow orange puffy jacket. He had no known tent or camping equipment. Perri is 5’9” and weighs 160 pounds.

Park rangers would like to hear from anyone who has been in the Mount Meeker area since Saturday, June 30. Especially those who noticed abandoned gear or other clues. Please call (970) 586-1204.



Jeff
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Rocky Mountain National Park Announces Complete Fire Ban

Due to the continued extreme fire danger, extended weather forecast and current level of fire activity in the State of Colorado, park officials have announced a ban on all fires within Rocky Mountain National Park. This ban is effective beginning today, Friday, July 6, and will remain in effect until further notice.

Campfires, including charcoal briquette fires, are not permitted anywhere within the park. However, petroleum fueled stoves and grills will still be permitted in developed campgrounds, picnic areas and in designated backcountry campsites. Stoves must be able to be turned on and off. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, or stopped within a developed paved area devoid of vegetation for at least three feet. Visitors are reminded to properly extinguish all lighted smoking materials and dispose of properly. Fireworks are always prohibited within the park.

Rocky Mountain National Park always has Stage 1 fire restrictions in place, where campfires are prohibited in the park, except within designated campfire rings in picnic areas and front-country campgrounds. The last time a total fire ban (Stage 2 fire restrictions) was in place in the park was in June of 2012.



Jeff
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Fire Restrictions Increase on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests

The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests is enacting Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on National Forest System lands on the all of Sulphur Ranger District and portions of the Clear Creek Ranger District within Grand, Clear Creek, Park and Jefferson counties. These restrictions are in addition to the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the Boulder, Canyon Lakes and Clear Creek ranger districts in Boulder, Gilpin and Larimer counties.

The Forest Service works closely with counties, monitors conditions as they change and continually evaluates with cooperators the need for restrictions. Fire restrictions further limit where and what type of activities and fires visitors may have and remain in effect until rescinded.

Within the Stage 2 Fire Restriction area on National Forest on the Clear Creek and Sulphur ranger districts within Grand, Clear Creek, Park and Jefferson counties forest visitors may not:

* Build, maintain, attend or use a fire, campfire, or stove fire. This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves and includes their use in developed camping and picnic grounds except devices using pressurized liquid or gas (stoves, grills or lanterns) which include shut-off valves are permitted when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.

* Smoke, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building.

* Weld or operate an acetylene or other torch with open flame.

* Operate or use any internal combustion engine (e.g. chainsaw, generator, ATV) without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order. (See order for specific details).

* Operate a chainsaw without an approved spark arresting device as described above, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (8 oz. capacity by weight or larger and kept with the operator) and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.

* Use explosives.

* Possess or use a motor vehicle off established roads, motorized trails or established parking areas, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle.

Within the Stage 1 fire restriction area on National Forest on the Boulder, Canyon Lakes, ranger districts within Boulder, Grand, Gilpin and Larimer counties forest visitors may not:

* Build or maintain a fire or use charcoal, coal, or wood stoves, except in permanent fire pits or fire grates within a developed recreation site (e.g., campgrounds where fees are charged).

* Smoke, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of all flammable materials.

* Use any internal or external combustion engine (including chainsaws) without a spark arresting device properly working and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher and a round point shovel.

* Weld or operate acetylene or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher.

* Use explosives.

Additionally the Stage 1 and 2 fire restrictions for National Forest on the Boulder, Canyon Lakes and Clear Creek ranger districts within Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Park and Jefferson counties prohibit the:

* Discharge of a firearm unless in possession of a valid Colorado hunting license and lawfully involved in hunting and harvesting game.

Violation of Stage 1 fire restrictions could result in a maximum fine of $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for more than six months, or both. If responsible for causing a wildfire, one could be held accountable for suppression costs of that fire.

To view the fire restriction orders and maps, go to www.fs.usda.gov/arp. They will be listed in the “Alerts and Notices” box on the right. Please note that many counties are also under fire restrictions; information is available at www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html.



Jeff
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