The period from Wednesday, July 12th, through Sunday, July 16th, was exceptionally demanding for the park’s small staff. During that period, protection rangers and other park personnel assisted an unconscious visitor at a nearby gift shop, a visitor injured in the boulder field at the base of the tower, a diabetic visitor, and three visitors on park trails, including a lost child. Heat in the high 90s and low 100s was a factor. In addition, a lightning storm on the night of July 12th started a number of small fires in the area just south of the park. This escalated the following day to an “all call” from county fire officials. The park responded with a wildland engine and crew. The fires quickly grew into a full-blow complex fire – the Thorn Divide Complex – that at one point was threatening the park, causing staff to consider plans for evacuation. A Type 2 incident management team was assigned. The complex was eventually contained at just under 15,000 acres on July 18th. Over 900 firefighters and overhead were assigned to it at its peak. Park staff assisted by supporting the firefighting effort to the full extent of its modest resources.
