Fire managers from Rocky Mountain National Park plan to take advantage of the upcoming 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, 3 acres of piles southwest of Mill Creek Ranger Station and two large piles in the Moraine Park administrative use area. On the west side of the park just north of Grand Lake and west of the North Inlet Trail Head 8 acres of small piles remain to be burned. In addition two large piles located in the Pontiac administrative storage area remain to be burned. Pile burning operations will began as soon as sufficient snow cover accumulates and will continue through January and into February 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.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
