Estes Park, CO - Moraine Park Campground has reopened in time for the weekend. The Fern Lake Fire forced an evacuation of the area on October 9. Park managers put a temporary closure in place to protect the safety of all park visitors. A reduced area closure is still in effect. This closure will be in effect for the duration of the Fern Lake Fire.
Please obey all closure notices. Violating the terms of these fire restrictions is subject to criminal prosecution.
* Cub Lake Trail, Fern Lake Trail, and Fern Lake access road (beyond the winter parking) are closed.
* The Ute Trail is closed from Upper Beaver Meadows.
* Lower Odessa Gorge is closed to all use. You will not be able to hike beyond Odessa Lake.
* Other trails leading into the fire area are closed and are posted.
The Fern Lake Fire is 630 acres and 30% contained. The fire continues to be managed with a full suppression strategy. Firefighters are monitoring and patrolling the fire. Contingency fire lines are in place. The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain with beetle killed trees. It is too dangerous for firefighters to conduct a direct attack, so this type of indirect attack strategy is being used.
Additional information about this fire can be found at www.inciweb.org, or by calling (970) 586-1381. New information will be released as it becomes available.
--NPS-
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
