Rocky Mountain National Park - Fern Lake Fire Fact Sheet
Incident: Fern Lake Wildfire
Released: 10/12/2012
October 12, 2030, 2015 hrs. MDT
Information: (970) 586-1206
Websites: http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm and http://www.inciweb.org /
Start: Afternoon of October 9, 2012
Acres: 660 - No reported increase
Resources Assigned: 143 personnel; 9 fire engines, 1 light helicopter
Summary: The Fern Lake Fire, west of Moraine Park, is being managed with a full suppression strategy. It is burning in steep, rugged terrain that includes beetle-killed trees, prohibiting direct attack by firefighters on the ground. Firefighters are preparing indirect fire lines away from the fire perimeter using existing trails as much as possible.
Today's Fire Activity: Limited fire spread. Visible smoke was from occasional increased fire activity within the perimeter of the fire. Morning smoke was from a flare-up on the northwest side of the fire.
Weather: Today's weather brought a cold front with some precipitation. There is a chance of additional precipitation and 1 to 3 inches of snow accumulation tonight. Tomorrow is forecast to be cooler, damper, and windier. Weather from Sunday through next week is expected to be warmer and drier.
Expected Containment: Unknown. Containment is weather dependent. Due to the rough terrain the fire is burning in, it will take a "fire season-ending" event of snow accumulation to suppress the fire.
Cause: Under Investigation
Closures: Bear Lake Road, Upper Beaver Meadows Road and Moraine Park Campground are closed. In addition, to ensure visitor safety and to protect park resources, all park trails accessed from Bear Lake Road and Highway 66 have been closed, as are trails south of Trail Ridge Road including the Ute Trail. Due to weather and poor driving conditions, Trail Ridge Road is temporarily closed at Rainbow Curve on the east side of the park and Colorado River Trailhead on the west side of the park.
