Dry, windy conditions and the curing of a “robust grass crop” in Rocky Mountain National Park, combined with Labor Day weekend crowds, prompted park officials on Friday to remind the public of fire dangers.
“Campfires are prohibited in the park, except within designated metal campfire rings in front-country campgrounds and some picnic areas,” RMNP said in a news release. “Visitors are also reminded to properly extinguish and dispose of cigarettes.”
Park staff has seen and increase in illegal campfires over the past five years, according to the release. Illegal fires have lead to wildfires which had to be suppressed.
“In the fall of 2012, the Fern Lake Fire started from an illegal campfire,” the release said. “This fire burned over 3,000 acres, caused an evacuation of a portion of Estes Park and cost more than 6 million dollars to suppress.”
The person, or people, responsible for the Fern Lake Fire have not been identified.
Park staff asks visitors to be aware of fire dangers and to report illegal fires. Permits are required to camp in the park. Park rangers overnight on August 17 issued ten warnings to people intending to camp without a permit. Illegal camping often leads to illegal fires, the release said.
