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Big Meadows Fire considered 95 percent contained

GRAND LAKE — The Big Meadows Fire in Rocky Mountain National Park is considered 95 percent contained according to a press release issued late Monday, June 17.

The fire, which was started by lightening has currently burned 604 acres on the north end of Big Meadows on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park in eight days.

Fire crews plan to monitor the fire tomorrow, June 18, and will be back-hauling equipment.



The weather pattern for tomorrow is expected to be similar to today’s with high temperatures in the lower 70s, the release said.

Relative humidity will be moderate, and winds will be generally 10-15 mph in the early morning, with gusts in the late afternoon that approach 30 mph. A chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon may bring erratic winds to the area with likely less moisture than those that have occurred in the last two days.



On Monday, operations staff on the Big Meadows fire provided support for initial attack response to a 1/10 acre fire on Keyser Ridge approximately 15 miles to the south/southwest of the incident helibase. The medium helicopter assigned to the Big Meadows Fire was used for initial attack response.

Fire-fighting resources on the fire tomorrow, June 18, will include two wildland fire modules of eight fire-fighters each and two fire engines. The incident will retain the use of one ‘air attack’ light plane, two light helicopters, and one medium helicopter.

All backcountry overnight campsites will reopen in the Timber Creek drainage beginning tomorrow, June 18. As usual, permits are required to camp in the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Trail closures will continue 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. Visitors to the park should check the Rocky Mountain National Park website for the latest information regarding trail closures and alerts at nps.gov/romo.

No further information was released regarding the medical emergency that took place Sunday, June 16, involving a firefighter pending notification of his family.


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