Rocky Mountain National Park Officials Revising Fire Management Plan

Climate change and mountain pine beetles are just two elements that are leading to heightened fire danger, and bigger wildfires, in the national parks. At Rocky Mountain National Park, officials are revising their Fire Management Plan in light of those, and other, challenges they face in the park's forests.

The park's current Fire Management Plan dates to 1992, although some revisions were made back in 2004. Park officials say the latest update is aimed at more fully addressing "the challenges the park now faces with the bark beetle epidemic, other forest health issues, and community wildland fire protection."

The draft revisions are now available for your review and thoughts. There are two upcoming meetings where you'll be able to meet with park officials and question them about the plan and the two alternatives being evaluated:

* Monday, September 26, 7 p.m., Hondius Room at the Estes Park Library, 335 East Elkhorn Avenue in Estes Park, Colorado.

* Tuesday, September 27, 7 p.m., Grand Lake Fire Station, 201 West Portal Road in Grand Lake, Colorado.

You also can review the proposal, and comment on it, at this site.

If you do not have internet access you can request a printed copy of the presentation by calling (970) 586-1206. You can submit your comments to us in several ways:

* By mail: Superintendent, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado 80517

* By e-mail:

* By fax: (970) 586-1397

* By Express Delivery: Superintendent, Rocky Mountain National Park,
1000 U.S. Highway 36, Estes Park, Colorado 80517

* Hand deliver: Rocky Mountain National Park Headquarters, 1000 Highway
36, Estes Park, Colorado or to the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, Rocky
Mountain National Park, 16018 U.S. Highway 34, Grand Lake, Colorado
80447

Comments must be received by close of business on October 30, 2011.