Prescribed Burn Operations Today in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service continue to monitor fuel and weather conditions in advance of a potential prescribed burn today, Tuesday, November 3. The treatment area is located inside Rocky Mountain National Park, west of Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.
The primary goal of the project is to mitigate the threat of wildland fire to nearby communities and park infrastructure. The prescribed burn will reduce grasses, light fuels and understory to decrease future wildfire risk.
Prescribed fires are planned well in advance and have a specific prescription, or set of conditions, that are necessary to get the desired effects on the land and vegetation being treated without undue smoke impacts on nearby communities. If these conditions are not present, firefighters will delay the prescribed fire.
If prescribed fire operations proceed today, traffic control will be in place on U.S. Highway 36 adjacent to the burn area. Visitors driving through areas with active operations may be escorted by fire personnel. Park visitors will not be allowed to stop along roadways within the burn area. Temporary road closures may also be implemented.
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, the RMNP Wilderness Office and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Nature Store, located inside the visitor center, will be open as regularly scheduled.
UPDATE 11AM
This morning's test fire was successful and ignition operations have begun west of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.
Before beginning full ignition on a prescribed fire, fire managers always start with a small test fire. This carefully placed ignition allows the team to observe how the fire behaves under the day’s exact conditions.
By watching flame height, rate of spread, smoke dispersion, and how fuels respond, crews can confirm that weather and on-site conditions match the prescription.
This step is essential for:
Public safety – ensuring fire stays within planned boundaries
Firefighter safety – verifying that behavior is predictable and manageable
Meeting objectives – confirming the fire will effectively reduce fuels and improve forest health
If the test fire behaves as planned, ignition moves forward. If not, operations pause or stop. This cautious, step-by-step approach helps ensure each prescribed fire is carried out safely and successfully.
UPDATE NOVEMBER 4 2026
This morning's test fire was successful and ignition operations have begun west of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and north of US 36. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when driving on U.S. Highway 36 between the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and Bear Lake Road due to smoke, visibility, and fire crews working along the road. One lane traffic control will be in place.
