1:00 PM Fern Lake Fire and Evacuation Update
Incident: Fern Lake Wildfire
Released: 12/1/2012
1 p.m. updateFirefighters are holding the Fern Lake Fire within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park. Fire managers are cautiously optimistic regarding management of the fire as winds are not as extreme as they were overnight. The priorities for are: Firefighter and public safety Incident stabilization Controlling the fire perimeter keeping the fire from spreading beyond the park boundaries so residents may be allowed to re-enter when it is safe for them to do so.Multiple resources are on order, including a Type I Incident Management team, hot shot crews, additional engines, two additional type I helicopters, and all available local resources. Structure protection is being provided by many local fire departments. Managing agencies are the National Park Service, Larimer County Sheriff's Department and the Town of Estes Park. The east side of Rocky Mountain National Park is closed, although Fall River Visitor Center remains open. EVACUATION INFORMATION The Highway 66 corridor, including all adjacent streets, remains in evacuation. Residents of High Drive and adjacent streets have been notified that they are now on pre-evacuation notice. The residents in this area may return home, presenting identification to law enforcement at the High Drive road block. No others will be allowed in the area. Residents who were evacuated earlier today from the west side of Marys Lake Road and all adjacent streets are now allowed to return home and are on pre-evacuation notices. Access to the neighborhood is unrestricted. Pre-evacuation means that residents should be prepared to evacuate at any moment.Evacuees should meet at Estes Park High School at 1600 Manford Ave. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are staffing this evacuation center. Information is provided to evacuees on site.All public events at the Estes Park High School have been canceled for today, including the Oratory Performance.Large animals may be taken to the Stanley Park Fairgrounds 1209 Manford Ave. INCIDENT INFORMATIONInformation on this fire is available at: www.inciweb.org Twitter: @inciwebThe Media Information Line: 970-577-3718Public Information Line: 970-577-3716A briefing for evacuees only will be held at 4 p.m. at the Estes Park High SchoolMEDIA:The next media briefing will be held today at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, in Rocky Mountain National Park, at 5 p.m.Official Fern Lake Fire information is now available through the Joint Information Center. NPS
