Fern Lake Fire lines hold overnight

Despite high winds Sunday night, the Fern Lake Fire has not spread any closer to the town of Estes Park, according to incident commanders on scene. The fire covered approximately 4,400 acres as of 9 a.m. Monday, and was still contained within the borders of Rocky Mountain National Park. Containment remains at about 20 percent.

An air tanker is available and will provide support to the 250 personnel and 19 engines fighting the blaze Monday, if wind conditions allow. An infrared flight to map the perimeter of the fire is also planned, depending on the weather. Cooler temperatures and calmer winds are predicted for later today.

There has been no change in the status of evacuations since Saturday, when the two-month-old fire blew up into the Moraine Park area due to high winds.

The Highway 66 corridor, including all adjacent streets, remains evacuated. At this time, only individuals with a medical necessity are allowed to re-enter the evacuation area with an escort from the Larimer County Sheriff’s office. Electrical power is still on in the area.

Residents of Mary’s Lake Road from Moraine Avenue and Rock Ridge Road south to Highway 7 and Fish Creek Road are in pre-evacuation status and should be ready to leave if they receive an evacuation notice.

Residents of High Drive and adjacent streets are also on pre-evacuation notice. The residents in this area must present identification at the High Drive roadblock to return home. No others will be allowed in the area.

The evacuation center is located at the Mountain View Bible Fellowship, 1575 S. St. Vrain Ave./Highway 7 at the corner of Peak View Drive. The Red Cross and the Salvation Army are staffing the center and information is provided to evacuees on site.

Additional information on this fire is available at www.inciweb.org and www.larimer.org and on Twitter @inciweb and @larimersheriff and #FernLakeFire. The public information line — 970-577-3716 — is open 8 a.m.-10 p.m.