The Royal Gorge Fire erupts just before 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 11th on the south side of the Royal Gorge Canyon. The park is evacuated and road blocks go up to keep people away from the spreading inferno
Dennis Page, Incident Commander of the Type 3 Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team, coordinates the initial attack on the fire
Smoke from the Royal Gorge Fire pours into Canon City just before dusk. The approaching fire and heavy smoke threatened the Canon City Water Treatment Plant. The smoke also forced evacuation of the Territorial Correctional Facility at the west end of town.
The smoldering remains of the Royal Gorge Bridge Visitors Center are pictured on Wednesday as citizens of Fremont County begin to absorb the shock of the widespread devastation
The Fremont County Commissioners and Emergency Managers get an up close look at the widespread damage in the Royal Gorge Park amid concerns of short term and long term economic impact to the county's tourism base
Public Information Officer Chris Bates prepares to introduce Royal Gorge Bridge President Harry Hargrove and Bridge Manager Mike Bandera to the news media. Hargrove and Bandera pledged that they would rebuild the park into a modern new attraction while protecting the historical and natural features of the Royal Gorge.
Dan Dallas, Incident Commander for the Type 2 Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team, details the mapping of the burn area of the Royal Gorge Fire to Governor John Hickenlooper. Hickenlooper visited the command post on Friday, June 14th at Pathfinder Regional Park which was followed up by a visit to the Territorial Prison.
Commissioners Ed Norden and Tim Payne explain to Governor Hickenlooper the economic impacts the county will likely experience from the temporary shutdown of the Royal Gorge Bridge. The Commissioners asked the Governor to help get the word out that Fremont County still has great rafting, fishing, climbing, railroading, and ziplining attractions.
Even in the midst of a devastating fire, life is renewed as a new born white buffalo calf is shown in the bison pen at the Royal Gorge. The fire blew past all of the bison, elk, and big horn sheep pens leaving only one bull elk with some minor burns.
The only damage sustained to the Royal Gorge Bridge was to 32 bridge planks that partially burned. One week after the blaze the bridge maintains its stately watch over the grandeur of the Royal Gorge Canyon.