Illegal campfire put out at RMNP

A fire broke out in Rocky Mountain National Park on Saturday but quickly was doused by firefighters.

A park visitor reported the fire near Bierstadt Lake.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, the fire was smoldering and a few snags were burning that could have spread the blaze to the tree canopy.

“Firefighters successfully prevented spread of the fire to the crowns of the trees,” Kyle Patterson, RMNP spokeswoman said.

The fire was caused by an illegal campfire and is under investigation.

Because of dry conditions and lack of snowpack, fire danger is high in Rocky Mountain National Park, and these conditions are forecast to continue this week.

Unseasonably warm and dry weather led the National Weather Service to warn of fire danger in a hazardous weather outlook for northeast and central Colorado on Sunday.

“Dry and unseasonably warm conditions will continue through the end of this week as a strong high-pressure ridge remains over the western United States,” according to the weather service.

“Temperatures will average 10 to 20 degrees above normal across the plains. There will be gusty winds on the plains at times during the afternoons, which will keep the rangeland fire danger in the moderate to high category.”

On Thursday a visitor to the park reported smelling smoke in the Bierstadt Lake area, and park rangers investigated. They didn’t smell or see smoke.

Park rangers are asking for anyone who has information or who was in the Bierstadt Lake area on Thursday to notify them at 970-586-1204.

There are always fire restrictions in place at Rocky Mountain National Park.

Campfires are allowed only within designated campfire rings at select locations in the park, including picnic areas and campgrounds.

During the past few years park staffers have seen a significant increase of illegal campfires, according to a news release from the park.