ESTES PARK, Colo. — Two fires sparked in Rocky Mountain National Park Thursday evening.
Rocky Mountain National Park staff reported two small fires burning inside the park in remote locations. The cause is unknown, though authorities said a thunderstorm with lightning moved through the area Thursday afternoon.
One was burning near Mirror Lake in the northern section of the park and the other was in the Forest Canyon area below Trail Ridge Road and between the Rock Cut and Forest Canyon overlook, according to a RMNP press release.
Trail Ridge Road remained open, though authorities said they would close it if the fire conditions changed.
Upper Beaver Meadows Road is closed, since the fires may require aviation operations Friday.
The initial size of the Mirror Fire was estimated at one-tenth of an acre and the Forest Canyon Fire was estimated at three to five acres, according to the release.
Firefighters will hike into the Forest Canyon Fire Friday morning for an initial attack, while a small crew and helicopter from Mesa Verde National Park head to the Mirror Fire to start to suppress it.
The following trails are closed in the area:
- The Mirror Lake Trail from the junction with the Mummy Pass Trail northbound to Mirror Lake
- The Comanche Peak trail from the park boundary southbound to Mirror Lake
- Wilderness campsites at the Mirror Lake site and the Koenig stock site