Update on Big Meadows Fire - 2 More Trails Closed

The Big Meadows Fire remained at 400 acres overnight. Firefighters are planning an indirect attack today due to the high number of beetle killed trees that make moving through the area very difficult and dangerous. The plan is to hold the fire east of Trail Ridge Road (Highway 34), west of the Continental Divide, and north of Tonahutu Creek. There are no structures or communities at risk.

A map published today on InciWeb shows the fire is currently located just north of Granite Falls, and towards the east of Big Meadows, roughly 4.5 miles from the Green Mountain Trailhead.

There are now seven trails that have been temporarily closed in the area - the Onahu Trail, the Green Mountain Trail, the lower Tonahutu Trail, the Tonahutu Spur Trail, the Grand Lake Lodge Spur Trail, the Timber Lake Trail and the trail which branches toward Mount Ida from Milner Pass.

All major roads and facilities in Rocky Mountain National Park are open as are the neighboring communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park.

As of this morning there were 97 personnel fighting the fire. More resources are arriving and are anticipating around 130 personnel tonight.

In addition to trail closures, InciWeb is also reporting that campgrounds have been evacuated, and 2 hikers had to be removed via helicopter.

The park has set up a recorded Fire Information Line at (970) 586-1381 which will be updated when new information on the Big Meadows Fire is available.

The weather forecast for today for the Grand Lake area calls for more warm weather, with winds expected to be around 14 mph. There's a 30% chance for an afternoon thunderstorm after 2:00 p.m.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

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