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Rocky Mountain National Park to partially reopen Friday after closing over fires

Many areas of Rocky Mountain National Park will reopen Friday after tens of thousands of acres were lost to wildfires, resulting in two weeks of closures.

Reopening areas include the roads, parking areas and trails in Wild Basin, Longs Peak, Lily Lake, Twin Sisters, Lumpy Ridge and U.S. 34 through the Fall River Entrance to Many Parks Curve and Endovalley Road, park officials said Thursday.

Old Fall River Road will be open to bicyclists, leashed pets and walkers.

The west side of the park will remain closed for ongoing safety assessments, officials said.

Areas on the east side of the park that remain closed include Bear Lake Road, the North Boundary Trail, the North Fork Trail, Mummy Pass, Stormy Pass, Commanche Peak, Mirror Lake Trails and U.S. 36 past the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center to Deer Ridge Junction.

Park staff will continue to assess these areas for fire activity, safety and downed trees.

As of Oct. 27, nearly 29,000 acres had burned in the park, the most in its history.

The park was hit by the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires, the two largest fires in Colorado’s recorded history.

Cameron Peak and East Troublesome burned 7,485 and 21,307 acres of the park, respectively.

Cameron Peak has burned 208,913 acres and is 92% contained. East Troublesome has burned 193,804 acres and is 37% contained.

Officials said park visitors should be aware of smoke, wind, weather and fire conditions.



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