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Fern Lake Fire More Than Doubles in Size

by KREX News Room
by Cori Coffin

Story Created: Dec 2, 2012 at 9:29 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 3, 2012 at 12:01 PM MDT

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, Colo.- High winds Sunday kept ground crews and helicopters from fighting the Fern Lake Fire in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Park officials say the wind threatened to topple trees and made flying conditions unsafe Friday, so firefighters were moved off the fire line and helicopters were grounded.

Those gusty winds also fueled the flames over weekend, which grew from about 1,500 acres to 3,584 acres at last report on Sunday.

The fire is currently 20 percent contained.

Winds were expected to pick up again Sunday night. Fire authorities have already evacuated the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park, along with the Highway 66 corridor.

The blaze started Oct. 9 and has destroyed one cabin so far.

The cause remains under investigation.

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