A new wildfire in Colorado, now known as the Stone Canyon Fire, began this afternoon in a neighborhood north of Lyons. As of 6:15 p.m., the Stone Canyon Fire is estimated to be 450 acres in size. Preliminary reports from the Boulder Office of Disaster Management are that two structures have been lost so far.
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued within the town of Lyons, including the areas north of U.S. Highway 36 (Broadway) and east of 5th Avenue.
Also, westbound traffic into Lyons from US Highway 36 and US Highway 66 is currently closed in order to get firefighting equipment into the town.
Meanwhile, the Alexander Mountain Fire, between Estes Park and Loveland, has grown to 3575 acres in size as of the most recent 4pm estimate.
Canadian apparel company, Arc’teryx, in partnership with Skip, a spinoff of Google’s X Labs, have just launched a new outdoor product category called "powered exoskeleton pants".
Their product introduction into this new category is known as the "MO/GO," which are hiking pants that feature a lightweight electric motor at the knee. Arc’teryx and Skip claim the "MO/GO" can boost a hiker’s leg strength while going uphill. It also absorbs the impact of steps during a descent. Skip also claims the MO/GO pants can make the wearer feel up to 30 pounds lighter.
The MO/GO includes rechargeable batteries that last for 3+ hours of continuous uphill walking on maximum assistance. The batteries automatically recharge during downhill walking.
The Skip website claims their goal is "to give you the confidence to push your limits because you have the peace of mind knowing you’ll make it back safely."
As we've seen with other high-tech gadgets, technology isn't infallible. What happens to a person if the device and/or battery somehow malfunctions while on the trail? Moreover, this device will likely encourage those without mobility issues to purchase the pants to simply allow them to travel deeper into the mountains, even though they may not be physically prepared such a trip under normal circumstances. To me, and I may very welll be in the minority here, this flies in the face of what hiking in the backcountry is really all about.
Full retail price for the MO/GO is set to be $5,000. However! If you act now, you can preorder a pair right now and receive a discount that will bring the price down to "only" $4,500 - with an expected ship date of December 2025.
From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:
A new wildfire was reported between Estes Park and Loveland. The Larimer County Sheriff has issued a mandatory evacuation:
Mandatory Evacuations ordered for wildfire near Storm Mountain. Drake to Dam Store along Highway 34 including Storm Mountain and Palisade Mountain need to EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY.
According to the latest from US Forest Service officials, the fire is about 864 acres in size, and is burning on the Roosevelt National Forest north of Highway 34. Two roads are currently closured: Hwy 34 from Estes to County Road 29, and County Road 43.
Staff from Rocky Mountain National Park and the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forests have responded to two small fires in the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park. One 0.25 acre fire is near the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead, and a second 0.10 acre fire is on the east side of Lookout Mountain. Both fires have been contained and no structures were threatened. There are no trail closures in place.
Further information will be released as it becomes available.
From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:
A new study published this week in the journal “Emerging Infectious Diseases” reports the first finding of rustrela virus in a mountain lion in North America.
In May of 2023, Colorado Parks and Wildlife euthanized a sick mountain lion in Douglas County that was unable to use its hind legs. An analysis of tissues from the mountain lion revealed the presence of the rustrela virus, which was recently identified as the cause of “staggering disease,” a usually fatal neurologic syndrome recognized in domestic cats.
The lead author on the paper, former CPW Wildlife Pathologist Dr. Karen Fox, said that the diagnosis of staggering disease was challenging, and final confirmation was only possible through collaboration with researchers at the Friedrich-Leoffler-Institut in Germany.
Fox, currently a research scientist with Colorado State University, emphasized that scientists don’t yet know how widespread the virus is in either domestic cats or wildlife populations. In Europe, rustrela virus causes staggering disease in cats, but also has been found in a wide range of other species, including rodents, a donkey and marsupials.
“Now that we know what we’re looking for, it should be easier to find new cases if they are out there,” Fox said. “With continued collaboration, we plan to learn what we can from our colleagues in Europe while we continue to look for new cases of staggering disease here in Colorado.”
Veterinarians at Colorado State University and Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be looking carefully for new cases. If members of the public observe mountain lions that are staggering, having trouble walking or behaving abnormally, they should contact their local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office to speak with a wildlife officer and report the behavior.
As of July 12th, 139 abandoned or unattended campfires were reported to the Pueblo Interagency Dispatch Center. This dangerous trend in outdoor recreation is one of the leading causes of catastrophic wildfires. The 2024 Interlaken Fire in Leadville, Colo. was started from an abandoned campfire and went on to burn over 700 acres of the Interlaken Historic District. As National Fire Preparedness Levels rise, and the peak of summer still to come, the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands is urging the public to prioritize proper campfire safety precautions when recreating on national forests and grasslands.
Always check for closures and fire-related restrictions prior to leaving the house. A violation of these regulations is subject to a penalty of no more than $5,000 or 6-months imprisonment, or both. If campfires are allowed, clear vegetation away from your campfire area and use a preexisting campfire ring when possible. Before you light a campfire ensure you have the proper tools to extinguish it. Come to the forest prepared by bringing a bucket, plenty of extra water and a shovel to drown and stir the campfire until it is completely out. To completely extinguish your campfire, drown the fire with water, stir with your shovel, drown again, and feel for any heat using the back of your hand. Continue this process until no heat remains. Violators of regulations that prohibit abandoning a campfire are subject to a fine and or imprisonment. If the abandoned campfire causes a wildfire, violators can also be held responsible for fire suppression costs.
This year marks the official 80th birthday of Smokey Bear and his dedicated catchphrase remains true. “Only YOU can prevent Wildfires.”
It is critical for the public to help spread this message. Having conversations and educating one another is a way to hold each other accountable while recreating responsibly. If you come across an abandoned campfire, there are a few steps you can take to ensure it is properly reported and contained. If possible, extinguish the abandoned campfire. If you do not have the proper equipment to do that, you can call your local county non-emergency number or your local national forest or grassland district office to report it.
“Know before you go. Check for red flag warnings and fire restrictions before considering a campfire,” said PSICC Fire Prevention Specialist Vidalia Vigil. “Be campfire aware. Make sure the campfire site is not near your tent, flammables or other belongings. Always completely extinguish a fire before you leave—even if you plan to come back—and make sure your fire is out before you go to bed.”
Yesterday morning, Monday, July 15, park rangers were notified via a satellite communication device that an 80-year-old female hiker was found unresponsive on the Lawn Lake Trail by other hikers, roughly 5 miles from the trailhead. The hikers provided life-saving care to the individual by performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members arrived on scene to provide further care. Park rangers were assisted by a Colorado Army National Guard helicopter from Buckley Space Force Base to extricate the woman via a hoist operation. Rocky Mountain Rescue Group assisted with helicopter hoist operations.
The woman was transferred to a Med Evac air ambulance at Upper Beaver Meadows and flown to further emergency care.
Beginning Tuesday, July 23, through Friday, July 26, the Wild Basin Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will be closed to all uses, including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians for road maintenance. This closure will occur at the Wild Basin Entrance Station and will include the entire two-mile section of the road to the Wild Basin Trailhead.
The park’s roads crew will be spreading gravel and grading this narrow road to address ruts, potholes and help with drainage. Due to the road being closed to all uses from July 23 through July 26, visitors should avoid this area of Rocky Mountain National Park during this time.
The trailhead parking area for the Sandbeach Lake Trail will not be impacted by this closure.
From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:
Due to the forecast of continuing dry and warm conditions as well as increasing fire activity across the region and nation, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland has enacted Stage 1 fire restrictions on national forest lands and grassland in Clear Creek, Gilpin, Boulder, Larimer and Weld counties beginning today, Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Stage 1 fire restrictions limit where and what type of fires visitors can have.
“When we consider fire restrictions, we consult with our county partners and rely on environmental factors to assesses a variety of conditions, including fuel moistures and long-term weather forecasts. We also consider local firefighter staffing and firefighting resource demands for wildfires across the zone, region, and country,” said Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest Fire and Aviation Staff Officer Cody Peel. “National Forest visitors can still have campfires in Forest Service developed recreation sites, but Forest visitors need to make sure to never leave a campfire unattended. Keep all campfires contained within the agency provided metal or concrete fire rings and always fully extinguish the campfire with large amounts of water, until all of the coals are out cold.”
