While a wildfire in Big Bend National Park has blackened an estimated 2,000 acres, the threat to facilities at Panther Junction has diminished and all roads in the park are open to the public.
Sparks from a downed power line are being blamed for starting the fire Monday night. At one point power went out to Rio Grande Village, and linemen from Rio Grande Electric Cooperative were called in to try to restore power. They worked into the night and were able to restore power by 1 a.m. local time, the park reported on its Facebook page.
"All roads in the park are currently open, however two backcountry campsites remain closed as a precaution," park staff said. "Stopping on the road or along the side of the road where there is black is prohibited at this time for safety as well as to prevent unnecessary resource damage in a sensitive, recently-burned environment.
"As the initial threat to the housing area, powerlines, and other structures has diminished, firefighters work to maintain a good firebreak towards these areas. Other firefighters work to continue suppression efforts on this human-caused wildland fire," the park reported. "Additional fire resources are expected to arrive sometime this evening to continue the effort as the fire continues to burn into more inaccessible areas and over challenging terrain."
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