Rocky Mountain Park Fires Arson, Say Investigators
Blazes Do $600,000 Damage near Bear Lake
UPDATED: 5:15 p.m. MST January 2, 2002
ESTES PARK, Colo. -- Arson investigators have
determined fires that damaged two buildings at Bear Lake were set
deliberately, a Rocky Mountain National Park spokeswoman said
Wednesday.
The fires caused about $600,000 in damage to a building housing
restrooms and a visitor kiosk at the lake, about 10 miles from the
park entrance near Estes Park, park spokeswoman Kyle
Patterson said.
"We know that it was intentionally set so we know it is
arson," she said.
Each building was set afire separately, either late on Monday or
early Tuesday, she said. Visitors saw the flames shortly after 7
a.m. Tuesday and alerted a snowplow driver who contacted
authorities.
FBI investigators have gathered evidence, but have not
determined how the fires were set, Patterson said.
The buildings were made of stone and cedar. Patterson said they
planned to close the area temporarily to clean up the debris.
The park is open 24 hours a day year around, although some areas
are inaccessible in the winter.
The Earth Liberation Front claimed responsibility for burning down Vail's Two Elk Lodge in 1998 to protest the ski area's expansion into what ELF called lynx habitat. The blaze did an estimated $12 million in damage. The lodge was later re-built.
FBI spokeswoman Ann Atanasio said there is no indication the
Park fires were eco-terrorism. Agents were called in because the fires
occurred on federal land.
The buildings were made of stone and cedar. Patterson said they
plan to close the area temporarily to clean up the debris.
The fires caused about $600,000 in damage to a building housing
restrooms and a visitor kiosk at the lake, about 10 miles from the
park entrance near Estes Park, park spokeswoman Kyle
Patterson said.
"We know that it was intentionally set so we know it is
arson," she said.
Each building was set afire separately, either late on Monday or
early Tuesday, she said. Visitors saw the flames shortly after 7
a.m. Tuesday and alerted a snowplow driver who contacted
authorities.
FBI investigators have gathered evidence, but have not
determined how the fires were set, Patterson said.
The buildings were made of stone and cedar. Patterson said they
planned to close the area temporarily to clean up the debris.
The park is open 24 hours a day year around, although some areas
are inaccessible in the winter.
The Earth Liberation Front claimed responsibility for burning down Vail's Two Elk Lodge in 1998 to protest the ski area's expansion into what ELF called lynx habitat. The blaze did an estimated $12 million in damage. The lodge was later re-built.
FBI spokeswoman Ann Atanasio said there is no indication the
Park fires were eco-terrorism. Agents were called in because the fires
occurred on federal land.
The buildings were made of stone and cedar. Patterson said they
plan to close the area temporarily to clean up the debris.
Previous Stories:
- April 18, 2001: Eco-Terrorist Group Threatens 'International Day Of Action'
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.





