Fires in Colorado
 

Plan on going out to Colorado next week -- staying in Colorado Springs for a few days and then onto Gunnison and then Rocky Mt National Park-- hopefully hiking in the mts. -- How are the roads getting their -- with the fires and the points along the way?

No problem with Rocky Mtn. National park. There is a fire there but there is plenty of places to hike. We were there in Nov when there was also a fire but it did not affect us at all. It's a big park.

The current "big" fire is around Colorado Springs in the black forest area. The front range including Denver is being affected by the smoke depending on the wind direction. Right now it is pretty bad. That fire is dominating the news so don't know the status of the RMNP fire. We are having record high temps. A few years ago it was rare for Denver to hit a hundred and if Denver did it was mid-July. Last week we set a record for the earliest temp over a 100 in the second week of June. It is hot.

As of 8 a.m., 60 F in Boulder; but winds from SW are expected to bring temps in the low 90s this afternoon.
The RMNP fire was ~400 acres this a.m., but increasing winds should make that one problematic. The area is all beetle-kill, and I've thought for years that we were due for an epic Yellowstone-type fire there on the western slope.
5 trails currently closed in RMNP, but roads are open. Just keep informed, things will be changing rapidly.

The RMNP fire is on the west side of the park. If you are visiting the east side you do need to be aware of construction work on Bear Lake Road. http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisi...nstruction.htm

I think air quality is the biggest issue. There was visible smoke in the south metro Denver yesterday. This morning I have some blue skies mixed with a haze in the distance. It is supposed to get worse later today. Not great conditions for outside activities. Just be flexible with your plans. Rafting trips on the Arkansas River, due to the Royal Gorge Fire, were cancelled yesterday and I'm not sure how long that will last. Agree about staying informed.

Thank you for your responses -- your right need to keep getting up to the minute information. If you hear of anything in the next week please let me know. I still plan on going.

Just keep checking this page for updates on the fire in RMNP.

http://www.nps.gov/romo/naturescienc...adows_fire.htm

There is a phone number and website on that page for more current info, I believe the park only updates that page once a day.

Not sure where you're at in your trip....the fire in RMNP is 95% contained. There will still be some smoke as they are letting it burn itself out but it shouldn't be a big deal on the east side.

Just came down off Mount Lady Washington (east side of the park near Longs Peak). Absolutely no evidence of the fire. Air quality was excellent, with the exception of how thin it is at 13,000!

Have a great trip! The wildflowers in the alpine zone are going crazy now, really beautiful.