10:00 AM Fern Lake Fire Information and Evacuation Update
Incident: Fern Lake Wildfire
Released: 12/1/2012
The National Park Service is cautiously optimistic regarding management of the fire as winds have died down. Priorities are:
Firefighter and public safety
Incident stabilization
Controlling the fire perimeter keeping the fire from spreading so residents may be allowed to reenter when it is safe for them to do so.
On order are a Type I Incident Management team, hot shot crews, additional engines, two additional type I helicopters, and all available local resources. Structure protection is being provided by many local fire departments. The east side of Rocky Mountain National Park is closed, although Fall River Visitor Center remains open.
EVACUATION INFORMATION
EARLIER:
Original evacuation orders issued this morning were for:
Highway 66 and all adjacent streets including the YMCA
High Drive and all adjacent streets
Marys Lake Road up to Moraine Ave to Marys Lake on the West side
Over 1, 100 contacts made through this original reverse notification.
EVACUATIONS CURRENTLY:
Residents of High Drive and adjacent streets have been notified that they are now on pre-evacuation notice. The residents in this area may return home, presenting identification to law enforcement at the High Drive road block. No others will be allowed in the area.
Residents who were evacuated earlier today from the west side of Marys Lake Road and all adjacent streets are now allowed to return home and are on pre-evacuation notices. Access to the neighborhood is unrestricted.
Pre-evacuate means that residents should be prepared to evacuate at any moment.
The Highway 66 corridor remains in evacuation.
Evacuees should meet at Estes Park High School at 1600 Manford Ave. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are staffing this evacuation center. Information is provided to evacuees on site.
All public events at the Estes Park High School have been canceled for today, including the Oratory Performance.
Large animals may be taken to the Stanley Park Fairgrounds 1209 Manford Ave.
INCIDENT INFORMATION
Information on this fire is available at:
Twitter: @inciweb
Local public information lines are being established and those numbers will be provided soon.
MEDIA:
The next media briefing will be held today at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, in Rocky Mountain National Park, at 5 p.m.
END
