20th Anniversary Commemoration of South Canyon Fire Sunday
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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – The public is invited to join families of the Storm King 14 and firefighters from across the country at Two Rivers Park this Sunday for the commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the South Canyon Fire, which killed 14 firefighters on Storm King Mountain July 6, 1994.
The event begins with an engine procession leaving the Glenwood Springs Mall area and arriving at Two River Park about 4:45 p.m. There will be short-term impacts to traffic between the mall and Two Rivers Park on U.S. 24 north of the Interstate during this procession.
The commemoration begins at 5 p.m. and includes an Honor Guard presentation, several speakers and a remembrance of the 14 firefighters. Parking will be limited at the park, so the public is encouraged to park in downtown Glenwood Springs and walk over to Two Rivers Park using the Glenwood bike path bridge over the Colorado River.
During the morning of July 6, the trailhead for the Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail will be closed and access past Canyon Creek limited to accommodate the more than 200 family members of the 14 firefighters expected to hike the trail.
Also that morning a Colorado National Guard helicopter will ferry some family members of the fallen firefighters who are unable to make the hike. The helicopter will be based in an open field off Donegan behind the Glenwood Springs Mall.
Nearly 20 agencies and organizations have been working on the commemorative events for the 20th Anniversary of the South Canyon Fire. “The community will never forget the sacrifices of the 14 firefighters on Storm King Mountain July 6, 1994,” said Glenwood Springs Fire Chief Gary Tillotson.
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