Two wildfires burning in Rocky Mountain National Park have lead to trail and camp closures as crews battle the fires.
The Forest Canyon Fire, burning below Trail Ridge Road, is burning at approximately 5 acres. Air tankers dropped retardant on the fire Friday morning, but park officials say it was ineffective. A Type 1 helicopter has been deployed.
Upper Beaver Meadows Road is closed due to these operations. Trail Ridge Road remains open, pending changing conditions.
The Mirror Fire continues to burn in the northern section of the park. The following trails are closed due to this fire: the Mirror Lake Trail, from the junction with the Mummy Pass Trail northbound to Mirror Lake, and the Comanche Peak trail, from the park boundary southbound to Mirror Lake. Campsite closures include the Mirror Lake and Koenig stock site.
According to a statement from the National Park Service, the Forest Canyon Fire is burning in a pine forest where 50 percent of the stand has been killed by recent insect infestations. The section currently burning hasn't burned in the last 800 years.
The cause of the fires has not been determined, though officials note a thunderstorm with lightning moved through the Forest Canyon area Thursday afternoon.
