​     At approximately 6 p.m. on the evening of Wednesday, July 2, 2025, park rangers in Rocky Mountain National Park received reports from visitors that smoke was visible from Timber Creek Campground and the Baker Gulch areas of the park. RMNP park staff began to investigate for a potential fire start.
 
    RMNP fire management staff confirmed that the smoke was coming from a lightning strike within the park. NPS and Grand Lake Firefighters were on scene last night. No values are at risk. The Baker Gulch Fire is currently 0.10 acres and is located north and west of the Holzwarth Historic Site along the east side of the Grand Ditch.  It is contained and controlled.
 
    Rocky Mountain National Park always has Stage 1 fire restrictions in place, which means that campfires are prohibited except within designated campfire rings inside picnic areas and drive-in campgrounds. The use of portable charcoal grills, wood fuel camp stoves, and propane/butane-fueled gas stoves is allowed.
 
    Fireworks are always prohibited within Rocky Mountain National Park.
 
    Use caution and vigilance when having a fire. Never leave a campfire unattended. When done with a fire, use the drown and stir method to put it out. Pour water on the fire, use a shovel or stick to stir the coals, add more water and repeat until the coals are cool to touch.

​     Recovery efforts took place yesterday for a 66-year-old female from Fort Collins, Colorado who suffered an apparent fall near Chasm Lake.  
 
     On Tuesday night, July 1, park rangers were notified of an overdue hiker. The individual was planning a day hike to Chasm Lake and had not returned as planned. The woman’s body was discovered early morning, July 2, on the south side of Chasm Lake in a scree slope.
 
     Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members were aided by Mesa Verde Interagency Helitak crew for recovery efforts.   
 
     The woman’s body was flown yesterday afternoon via a long line operation to the Upper Beaver Meadows helipad where she was transferred to the Boulder County Coroner’s office. The woman’s name will be released by the Boulder County Coroner’s office after next of kin are notified. 

​     Beginning Tuesday, July 15, through Friday, July 18, the Wild Basin Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will be closed to all uses, including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians for road maintenance. This closure will occur at the Wild Basin Entrance Station and will include the entire two-mile section of the road to the Wild Basin Trailhead. 
 
     The park’s roads crew will be spreading gravel and grading this narrow road to address ruts, potholes and help with drainage.  Due to the road being closed to all uses from July 15 through July 18, visitors should avoid this area of Rocky Mountain National Park during this time.
 
     The trailhead parking area for the Sandbeach Lake Trail will not be impacted by this closure.