East Troublesome Fire Moves Into Rocky Mountain National Park Both Sides Of Continental Divide10/23/2020  Confluence Spruce and Forest Canyon, photo courtesy of RMNP RMNP Press Release On Wednesday, October 21, the East Troublesome Fire ran approximately 18 miles before it moved into the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, where rapid evacuations began for the Grand Lake community and park staff. There appears to be some structure loss on the west side of the park, but initial assessment indicates that it is minimal. At this time, we are unable to fully assess those impacts. On the morning of Thursday, October 22, a heat signature from the National Weather Service was picked up in the Spruce Creek drainage, on the east side of the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. The East Troublesome Fire had spotted approximately 1.5 miles from the head of Tonahutu Creek to the head of Spruce Creek. Low clouds contributed to the challenge of assessing where smoke was coming from. Park fire lookouts from near the Ute Trail along Trail Ridge Road were able to confirm a smoke column out of Spruce Creek. Due to the location of the fire in the lower Spruce Creek drainage and confluence of Forest Canyon, evacuations began for areas of Estes Park. Humidity levels yesterday greatly assisted in stopping the fire growth and it appears it has remained in that general location. It is in the same general area as the Fern Lake Fire of 2012.
On the west side of the park, resources were focused on continual life and safety priorities and ongoing evacuations from the night before. Numerous trees were down on the west side of Trail Ridge Road, north of the Green Mountain Trailhead, blocking that area as a means to evacuate on Wednesday night, October 21. Weather conditions on the west of the Continental Divide were very different than the east side yesterday, with low humidity and winds continuing to add to the fire growth. As of last night, the East Troublesome Fire had moved north of the Coyote Valley Trailhead. All of Rocky Mountain National Park remains closed. For the most up-to-date information on the East Troublesome Fire visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7242/ For the most up-to-date information on the Cameron Peak Fire visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6964/ Varying evacuation orders are in place for both the East Troublesome Fire as well as the Cameron Peak Fire. Updates are provided by Grand County Emergency Management at gcemergency.com. Sign up for the Grand County CodeRed system, which will notify your mobile device of changing evacuation conditions. Updates are provided by Larimer County Emergency Management at www.nocoalert.org Sign up for the Larimer County LETA system, which will notify your mobile device of changing evacuation conditions.
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RMNP Press Release
All of Rocky Mountain National Park is closing to park visitors due to fire activity on the west side of the Continental Divide. If conditions allow, an Infrared flight is planned to gauge where there is current fire activity. This is a rapidly evolving situation. Currently, air quality is hazardous within Rocky Mountain National Park. Trail Ridge Road is not passable on the west side due to downed trees on the road. RMNP Press Release
The west side of Rocky Mountain National Park is closed to park visitors due to significant fire activity on the East Troublesome Creek Fire outside of the park. Grand Lake area residents are following evacuation orders to evacuate south on US 34 toward Granby. Trail Ridge Road is currently open for evacuation east bound if needed. There is low visibility reported due to smoke on Trail Ridge Road. Trail Ridge Road is closed west bound at Rainbow Curve. Travelers should be aware of smoke, wind, weather and fire conditions as fire activity is rapidly changing and road closures may be put in place quickly. Information is currently being updated on the park’s website and social media. For further information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or contact the park’s Information Office at 970-586-1206. The park's recorded Fire Information Line is (970) 586-1381.  Photo taken by RMNP staff on Oct. 17 near Gore Range Overlook on Trail Ridge Road. Park rangers and snowplow operators have reopened Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Icy conditions exist. The road closed yesterday around noon due to significant ice build up, strong winds, blowing snow and some downed trees over sections of the road. RMNP Press Release The upper portion of Bear Lake Road, past the Glacier Gorge parking area, will be closed the week of October 19 for road work. This work is being done to mitigate the effects of a weeping spring that has caused damage to this section of road. This closure will begin late Sunday night, October 18, and last through Friday, October 23.
Due to this road work, the Bear Lake parking area will be closed. The Glacier Gorge Trailhead parking area will be open and has limited parking that fills early in the day. Park visitors are encouraged to park at the Park & Ride lot to board a shuttle bus. The shuttle bus schedule has been extended for this project and will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, shuttles will be limited to 20 percent of the bus capacity or about 20 riders per shuttle. Visitors seeking to hike around Bear Lake and surrounding trails to Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lake or Flattop Mountain, will need to hike the approximate 3/4 mile trail from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead to Bear Lake. For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. RMNP Press Release  Due to recent fire activity and weather forecasts on the Cameron Peak Fire, closure areas in Rocky Mountain National Park have expanded in the northern section of the park.
Additional closures implemented today include the Lawn Lake Trail and surrounding area. The Cow Creek Trail, the Black Canyon Trail, the Gem Lake Trail and the Lumpy Ridge area were closed on Sunday, October 11, as well as associated cross country zones. Area closures began on August 18 in the northwest section of the park and continued in the northeast area of the park on September 7. Currently the northern part of Rocky Mountain National Park is closed to all recreational access. Old Fall River Road remains closed. Trail Ridge Road and other areas of the park remain open. Closures in Rocky Mountain National Park, including a map, can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/fire-information-and-regulations.htm A complete fire ban has been in effect in Rocky Mountain National Park since Friday, August 14. Campfires, including charcoal briquette fires, are not permitted anywhere within the park. However, petroleum fueled stoves and grills will still be permitted in developed campgrounds, picnic areas and in designated backcountry campsites. Stoves must be able to be turned on and off. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, or stopped within a developed paved area devoid of vegetation for at least three feet. Visitors are reminded to properly extinguish all lighted smoking materials and dispose of properly. Fireworks are always prohibited within the park. Rocky Mountain National Park always has Stage 1 fire restrictions in place, where campfires are prohibited in the park, except within designated campfire rings in picnic areas and front-country campgrounds. For further information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or contact the park’s Information Office at 970-586-1206. The park's recorded Fire Information Line is (970) 586-1381. RMNP Press Release
Trail Ridge Road has reopened in Rocky Mountain National Park. Because weather conditions may change rapidly this time of year, park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly and are encouraged to call the park’s Trail Ridge Road recorded phone line at (970) 586-1222. Old Fall River Road remains closed at this time. RMNP Press Release
Rocky Mountain National Park snowplow operators are encountering icy and windy conditions on Trail Ridge Road today along with significant drifting snow. Windy conditions are expected throughout today. Trail Ridge Road will remain closed today, Monday, October 12. Closures in Rocky Mountain National Park Due To Weather And Fire Activity Outside The Park10/11/2020 RMNP Press Release
Road closures due to weather Due to winter like conditions at higher elevations in Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road closed today. Trail Ridge Road is currently closed at Rainbow Curve on the east side and Colorado River Trailhead on the west side. It is unknown when Trail Ridge Road will reopen. Additional trail closures due to fire behavior outside RMNP Out of an abundance of caution and coordinating with our neighboring agency, the Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest's closures, park staff have implemented additional area closures in the northern section of the park due to fire behavior outside of the park. The Lumpy Ridge Area and trail system including the Gem Lake Trail, and Black Canyon Trail, as well as additional trails in the McGraw Ranch area including the Cow Creek Trail are closed until further notice. The North Boundary Trail accessed from McGraw Ranch and the North Fork Trail accessed from the Glen Haven area remain closed. Park staff are currently updating the information and map on the park's website: https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/fire-information-and-regulations.htm RMNP Press Release
Rocky Mountain National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state public health authorities, as the park continues to increase public access and services. The National Park Service is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. Rocky Mountain National Park will be modifying park operations beginning on October 13, 2020, ending the timed entry permit reservation system that has been in place since June 4. Timed entry permit reservations will be in place through October 12. To secure a timed entry permit reservation, please visit www.recreation.gov. Entrance passes are still required in all areas of the park, including but not exclusive to Lumpy Ridge, Lily Lake, Longs Peak, Wild Basin, East Inlet and North Inlet. “We would like to extend our appreciation to all park visitors, our local communities and our partners for their support of our modified operations this summer,” said Superintendent Darla Sidles. “With the health and safety of park visitors, employees and surrounding community residents guiding our decisions, the timed entry permit system enabled us to more safely manage the pace and flow of visitor use throughout the day, reduce crowding, and provide an improved visitor experience in alignment with the park’s safe operational capacity during these extraordinary times.” Rocky Mountain National Park continues to urge visitors to do their part. Please do not visit if you are sick or were recently exposed to COVID-19. When recreating, park visitors should follow local area health orders, maintain social distance, wear a cloth face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained and avoid high-risk outdoor activities For further information on Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. |
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