Fire managers from Rocky Mountain National Park plan to take advantage of winter weather conditions to burn piles of slash from several forest thinning projects. Exclusion of fire for the past century has resulted in unnatural forest conditions in some areas, with significant accumulations of forest fuels and an increased risk of a wildfire.

Excess vegetation was cut and piled by park fire crews and contractors during the last two years. The piles, which are now dry enough to burn, include 64 acres of small piles on the northeast shoulder of Deer Mountain and eight acres of piles just north of Grand Lake and west of the North Inlet Trail Head. In addition one large pile located near the Betty Dick cabin remains to be burned. Pile burning operations will began as soon as sufficient snow cover accumulates and will continue into April as weather permits.

Safety factors, weather conditions, air quality and environmental regulations are continually monitored as a part of any fire management operation. For more information please contact the park’s information office at 970-586-1206.