A prescribed burn is planned between the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and Bear Lake Road, including areas south of High Drive. The 437-acre treatment area includes the Eagle Cliff Unit and parts of the Headquarters Unit. The burn will be conducted by Rocky Mountain National Park and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. 

Burning operations may begin in late October and continue through the winter when conditions allow. Ignitions will occur on weekdays over several days to limit daily smoke production. Rocky Mountain National Park said that smoke may linger for an additional three to 10 days after operations end as fuels within the burn area smolder. 

Smoke is anticipated to disperse east of the park and may be visible both inside and outside of the park. Park officials said they will take steps to minimize smoke impacts. The public is encouraged to be aware of smoke’s potential health effects. More information is available on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website. 

Traffic control will be in place on U.S. Highway 36 and Bear Lake Road near the burn area. Temporary road closures may be implemented. Rocky Mountain National Park advised that visitors will not be permitted to stop along roadways within the burn area and visitors passing through may be escorted by fire personnel to ensure safety. 

Previous prescribed fire and hazardous-fuels treatment areas helped firefighters battle the East Troublesome Fire in 2020 and the Fern Lake Fire in 2012. Those areas provided a buffer between fires and locations the firefighters were protecting. Prior hazardous-fuels projects were crucial in preventing flames from jumping Bear Lake Road and Trail Ridge Road during the East Troublesome Fire. 

By reducing grasses, light fuels, and understory vegetation, the project aims to mitigate the threat of wildfire to surrounding communities and park infrastructure.