Facebook Twitter Email
JULY 27, 2000

The week-old Bircher fire in the Mesa Verde National Park has burned about 40 percent of the park, leaving park managers worried about the possibility of rain damaging archaeological sites.

The 24,000-acre fire is now about 40 percent contained, thanks to agressive fire fighting It affects about 24,000 acres of the site.

A let up in weather helped fire fighters early in the week. But firefighters are concerned about dry and hot weather in the forecase.

With so much of the park now burnt, a park spokesman said rain could easily wash over and remove material at sites.

Get the Story:
Mesa Verde Archaeological Sites Withstand Fires Only to Face New Threat -- Flooding (The Salt Lake Tribune 7/27)

View a map of the fire's perimeter, as of July 26 (US Forest Service).

Related Stories:
Mesa Verde fire slows down (7/26)
Mesa Verde fire grows, nears ruins (7/25)
Fire threatens reservation, ruins (7/24)
Fire burns Pueblo land (7/24)

More Fire Stories:
Pueblo monument fire out of control (Enviro 05/08)
Fire closes National Laboratory (Enviro 05/09)
Pueblo affected by fire (Enviro 05/11)
Sacred site saved from fire (Enviro 5/15)
Fire burns Pueblo land (Enviro 5/16)
Clinton suspends prescribed burns (Enviro 5/17)
Pueblo seeks fire aid (Enviro 5/18)
Pueblo still affected by fire (Enviro 5/19)

Relevant Links:
The Bircher Fire Site, Type I Team - www.pnw-team3.com
The Bircher Fire Site, US Forest Service - www.fs.fed.us/r2/fire/bircher
The National Interagency Fire Center - www.nifc.gov
Mesa Verde National Park - www.nps.gov/meve/