4 replies to this topic

[Aaron]

Park personnel continue to monitor and evaluate the Cow Creek Fire while always keeping public and firefighter safety a top priority. This fire is in a remote location and all designated trails and roads remain open in Rocky Mountain National Park. Since September 1 the fire has grown approximately 50 acres. The current fire activity has remained in the remote western flank of the Cow Creek Fire at the bottom of the West Creek drainage in an area of heavy fuels. This location places tundra to the north and west of the fire, buffered by the previously burned area to the east.

A helicopter from Yellowstone National Park arrived on Saturday to support operations with the Cow Creek Fire. A nine-person fire crew from Bandelier National Monument and crewmembers from Rocky will be working in the area today. The crews will continue to walk areas in and around the fire to look for any hot spots. If any additional spots are detected outside the western flank, the crews will provide direct attack on those spots.

The weather forecast is for moderate winds becoming stronger again toward the end of the week. With these winds more smoke is expected. The smoke that has recently been in the Estes Valley since Sunday evening is coming from the Four Mile Canyon Fire near Boulder.

In early July, firefighters achieved containment of the northeast, east, and southern portions of the Cow Creek Fire in the remote West Creek area in Rocky Mountain National Park. The immediate threat to the area on the park's eastern boundary was mitigated; however, there was potential for the fire to spread to the west. It was expected that the fire would likely burn through the remainder of the fire season with the potential of smoke being visible until a significant weather event, such as snow this fall, puts the fire out.

On July 4, the three trails that were closed due to fire operations reopened. However, off trail travel on national park lands south of the North Fork of the Big Thompson River, west of the North Boundary Trail, north of Cow Creek, and east of Mummy Mountain and Mount Dunraven continue to be prohibited due to the active fire in the area.

Fire is a natural part of the ecosystem in the park. Fires have not burned in this rugged, remote area of the park for hundreds of years. "Many plants and animals are dependent on fire for their survival. Periodic fire can improve reproduction of plants and improve wildlife habitat. As we learn more about the historic role of wildland fire on public lands, we are also mindful of our duty in the protection of the public and communities," said Vaughn Baker, park superintendent. "Although this fire is miles away from any homes, it serves as a good reminder to all of us who live nearby to take the necessary precautions to protect our homes." More information on preparing for a wildfire can be found at www.firewise.org.

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[hahn23]

Today, from the center of EP, there was a plume of smoke visible due North on the other side of Lumpy Ridge. We are tinder dry and there was moderate wind today. The Cow Creek Fire (West Creek Fire) seems to have grown. Firefighters are battling the fire. A helicopter has once again been borrowed from Grand Teton NP. The helicopter pad in Upper Beaver Meadows has been utilized for staging firefighting operations. I snapped a few images from today. UBM has been closed to auto traffic, but remains open to hikers.

[Allie]

Thanks for the photos, Richard. It scares me you are so dry.

[Aaron]

Update from RMNP....

"Park personnel continue to monitor and evaluate the Cow Creek Fire while always keeping public and firefighter safety a top priority. This fire is in a remote location and all designated trails remain open in Rocky Mountain National Park. Since September 1, the fire has grown approximately 70 acres. The current fire activity has remained in the remote western flank of the Cow Creek Fire at the bottom of the West Creek drainage in an area of heavy fuels. This location places tundra to the
north and west of the fire, buffered by the previously burned area to the east and south.

Because of the weather forecast of continued low humidity, warm temperatures and winds, as well as the number of resources that are committed to the Reservoir Road Fire near Loveland, a Type 2 helicopter is in the park to support operations with the Cow Creek Fire. A Type 1 Hot Shot Crew from Idaho, a nine-person fire crew from Bandelier National Monument and crewmembers from Rocky have been working in the fire area since September 2. The crews will continue to walk areas in and around the fire to look for any hot spots. If any spots are detected outside the original containment area, the crews will provide direct attack on those spots.

For a more direct flight path to the fire area, the aviation support will be moving from the Upper Beaver Meadows Road in the park to the junction of Dry Gulch Road and Lory Lane on property owned by MacGregor Ranch. Upper Beaver Meadows Road should reopen by this evening. Park staff greatly appreciate the support of MacGregor Ranch and residents in this area.

In early July, firefighters achieved containment of the northeast, east, and southern portions of the Cow Creek Fire in the remote West Creek area in Rocky Mountain National Park. The immediate threat to the area on the park’s eastern boundary was mitigated; however, there was potential for the fire to spread to the west. It was expected that the fire would likely burn through the remainder of the fire season with the potential of smoke being visible until a significant weather event, such as snow this fall, puts the fire out.

On July 4, the three trails that were closed due to fire operations reopened. However, off trail travel on national park lands south of the North Fork of the Big Thompson River, west of the North Boundary Trail, north of Cow Creek, and east of Mummy Mountain and Mount Dunraven continue to be prohibited due to the active fire in the area.

Fire is a natural part of the ecosystem in the park. Fires have not burned in this rugged, remote area of the park for hundreds of years. More information on preparing for a wildfire can be found at www.firewise.org"

--Aaron

[Aaron]

Also: Fire bans in CO - http://www.denverpos...7160?source=rss

--Aaron