Rocky Mountain National Park fire expands

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

12/01/2012 02:09:18 PM · #1

This tree may be gone, as of this morning. I don't know because the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park is closed. The fire exploded last night and moved 4 miles closer to Estes Park. It's been a rough year with drought and wildfires. (Disasters exceeded by Superstorm Sandy devastation.)

Media briefing and update on Fern Lake Fire, Saturday, Dec. 1 at 11:00 a.m.
Traci Weaver, Fire Information Officer at RMNP tells us that the Fern Lake Fire is burning within Rocky Mountain National Park borders. She confirmed that one structure has burned down in the Kaley Cabin area.
There are numerous resources that have been ordered to help fight the fire. 2-4 Hot Shot crews are on their way in along with 2-4 Type I heavy airtankers flying in from southern California which will arrive later today.
Nick Christensen, Ex. Officer from Larimer County Sheriffâ��s office told us the Hwy. 66 corridor has been evacuated safely without any incident and all agencies, RMNP, LCSO and the Town of Estes Park are working together to get this fire under control and maintain safety of all residents and guests. 1,100 notices were sent out via Everbridge phone contacts. Maryâ��s Lake Road area is under pre-evacuation orders as well as Woodland Heights area.
Overnight the fire traveled 3 1/2 to 4 miles and the grassy area of Moraine Park has burned.
The fire line is holding secure at this time, fire officials are cautiously optimistic that with the amount of fire crews coming in, that they can keep this fire in the perimeter of the park.
An evacuation center has been established at the Estes Park High School. At this time, they are evaluating as to when the evacuation will be lifted. This all depends on the fire behavior. The safety of residents and guests in the area is the number one concern.
It was stated that the cause of the fire which started two months ago, was caused by an illegal campfire.

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tanguera

Nikon D750

12/01/2012 02:19:43 PM · #2

So sad. Stay safe

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/01/2012 02:21:30 PM · #3

Wow, you shouldn't have to be dealing with fires this time of year ... :-(

Hope your tree makes it!

CJinCA

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/01/2012 02:22:41 PM · #4

So sorry to hear about the fire Richard.
Wish I could send you some of the torrential rains we are having in CA.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/01/2012 02:35:03 PM · #5

Stay safe Richard.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/01/2012 02:57:58 PM · #6

This is the area near where the fire began. It is most certainly gone and burnt to the ground. It should look snowy, like it did only a little more than a year ago. But, we are tinder dry in large regions. I will miss the wilderness which has been torched. However, there may be new wildflowers and a reborn forest in the wake of the wildfire. (Putting a positive on this big bad thing.)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

12/01/2012 09:08:16 PM · #7

Aww heck, that's very bad news Richard. Stay safe!

scooter97

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

12/01/2012 09:23:28 PM · #8

That's very sad news. Please be safe out there!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

12/01/2012 11:29:59 PM · #9

Originally posted by hahn23:

However, there may be new wildflowers and a reborn forest in the wake of the wildfire. (Putting a positive on this big bad thing.)

Not sure what you have in your area, but I know there are also some conifers which require fire to open the cones and allow the seeds to scatter and germinate. Fire is often a natural part of the ecology â�� it is really the (geologically recent) nearby presence of humans which can turn it into a disaster. Hope they're all safe, and that the area has a quick recovery.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/02/2012 07:24:58 AM · #10

Very sorry to hear, Richard. You've been through a lot in that area - especially you personally. I do appreciate your documenting the good, bad, ugly and beauty of it all and sharing with us. Stay safe and flameless.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/02/2012 01:07:53 PM · #11

Thanks, everyone for the kind comments. I am truly in mourning today for what has been lost for the rest of my lifetime. The fire continues to burn in one of the most beautiful places on earth. We have high wind warnings for tonight. This fire could get much worse if it jumps the current fire lines. The east side of Rocky Mountain national park is closed, for the first time in my memory. Very frustrating to be unable to hike to a perspective to capture this historic event. The fire is burning in an area (Fern Lake) where there has not been a fire for 1000 years, according to rangers. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to photograph this landscape before the fire. Not all is lost, but a big part of my most favorite place has been torched.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

12/02/2012 01:10:13 PM · #12

That HAS to hurt big-time. I feel for you, Richard. I remember what it was like when Big Sur burned out of control, but that is a much more rapidly-renewable landscape.

PapaBob

Sony Alpha a7 IV

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

12/02/2012 01:23:13 PM · #13

I was up there last weekend and the wind was blowing really hard and we were afraid it would give the fire new strength, from what I understand the fire has been burning about a month so I am surprised it has not grown even more than it has already.