Incident: Big Meadows Wildfire
Released: 4 hrs. ago
Big Meadows Fire Update
Morning Update – June 15, 2013
Yesterday afternoon fire crews conducted a burnout operation to strengthen fire lines and reduces fuels along the southern flank of the fire in the Tonahutu Creek drainage. Fire staff consider the firing operation to have successfully strengthened the southern flank of the fire, effectively minimizing the probability of movement of the Big Meadows Fire to the south. This operation increased the fire to 479 acres.
Yesterday, air operations from the Big Meadows Fire provided a helicopter to assist a search and rescue operation to transport an injured climber in RockyMountainNational Park. To date, there have been no accidents or injuries associated with the Big Meadows Fire. With increased recreational activity over the weekend, the incident command staff urges visitors to the area to remain alert for increased traffic and on-going air operations associated with the fire.
Fire-fighting resources on the fire today, June 15, will include two initial attack modules of eight fire-fighters each, four interagency 20-person Type I hotshot crews, and two fire engines. Available air resources include two air attack small planes used for fire reconnaissance, two light helicopters, a medium helicopter, and one large heavy helicopter. A National Guard Blackhawk helicopter remains on standby to assist fire operations in the event of a medical emergency.
There remains no imminent threat to any communities or structures; Rocky Mountain National Park remains open.
At 8:00 AM this morning, closures were lifted for five of the seven previously closed trailheads within the vicinityof the Big Meadows Fire. Trails that will open include: the two Tonahutu Spur Trails (one beginning at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, the other near the North Inlet trailhead), the Grand Lake Lodge Spur Trail, the Timber Lake Trail, and the trail which branches toward Mount Ida from Milner Pass. The Timber Lake Trail will be open for day use only. Closures remain in effect for the Onahu Trail, the Green Mountain Trail, and the lower Tonahutu Trail. Trail closures do affect a section of the Continental Divide Trail that passes through the park. Know before you go, check with the VisitorCenter or Park Information Office at 970-586-1206.
All major roads and facilities in RockyMountainNational Parkare open as are our neighboring communities of GrandLakeand EstesPark. Visitors are strongly cautioned to be aware of increased traffic and aircraft associated with the fire. Keep alert, dont get hurt.
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Big Meadows Fire Update
Evening Update – June 14, 2013
This afternoon, fire crews conducted a burnout operation to strengthen fire lines and reduce fuels along the southern flank of the fire in the Tonahutu Creek drainage. Smoke was visible in the communities of Estes Park, Grand Lake, and Granby. The objective of the firing operation was to prevent movement of the fire to the south, across the Tonahutu Creek. Acreage of the fire will likely expand following tonights flight to map the fire using thermal imagery. Initial assessments indicate that the firing operation successfully strengthened the southern flank of the fire.
In addition to support of the fire today, air operations from the Big Meadows Fire provided a helicopter to assist a search and rescue operation to transport an injured climber in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Fire-fighting resources on the fire tomorrow, June 15, will include an initial attack module of eight fire-fighters, four interagency 20-person Type I hotshot crews, and two fire engines. Available air resources include two air attack small planes used for fire reconnaissance, two light helicopters, a medium helicopter, and one large heavy helicopter. A National Guard Blackhawk helicopter remains on standby to assist fire operations in the event of a medical emergency.
Closures will be lifted at 8:00 AM tomorrow, Saturday, June 15th, for five of the seven previously closed trailheads within the vicinity of the Big Meadows Fire. Trails that will open include: the two Tonahutu Spur Trails (one beginning at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, the other near the North Inlet trailhead), the Grand Lake Lodge Spur Trail, the Timber Lake Trail, and the trail which branches toward Mount Ida from Milner Pass.
The Timber Lake Trail will be open for day use only. Closures remain in effect for the Onahu Trail, the Green Mountain Trail, and the lower Tonahutu Trail. Trail closures do affect a section of the Continental Divide Trail that passes through the park. Know before you go and check with Visitor Center or park info. office at 970-586-1206.
There remains no imminent threat to any communities or structures; Rocky Mountain National Park remains open. All major roads and facilities in Rocky Mountain National Park are open as are our neighboring communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park.
Unit Information
National Park Service
Incident Contacts
Phone: 970-586-1363
Hours: 6:00am – 10:00pm
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Incident: Big Meadows Wildfire
Released: 14 hrs. ago
Closures will be lifted at 8:00 AM tomorrow, Saturday, June 15th, for five of the seven previously closed trailheads within the vicinity of the Big Meadows Fire. Trails that will open include: the two Tonahutu Spur Trails (one beginning at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, the other near the North Inlet trailhead), the Grand Lake Lodge Spur Trail, the Timber Lake Trail, and the trail which branches toward Mount Ida from Milner Pass.
Know before you go, check with the Visitor Center or Park Information Office at 970-586-1206.
The Timber Lake Trail will be open for day use only. Closures remain in effect for the Onahu Trail, the Green Mountain Trail, and the lower Tonahutu Trail. Trail closures do affect a section of the Continental Divide Trail that passes through the park.
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Incident: Big Meadows Wildfire
Released: 19 hrs. ago
To ensure public and fire-fighter safety , there are currently seven trails that are 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. Trail closures do affect a section of the Continental Divide Trail that passes through the park.
These closures constitute 30 miles of trail closures out of the 355 miles of trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, which is only 8% of available trails closed. This leaves 92% of trails remaining for visitors to enjoy.
All major roads and facilities in Rocky Mountain National Park are open as are the neighboring communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park.
INCIDENT COOPERATORS:
Arapahoe-Roosevelt National Forest, Grand County Sheriff, Grand Lake Fire Department, Town of Grand Lake.
Source: inciweb.org
Republished: 6/15/13 1250 PST
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