Mirror Vale National Park will partially reopen to visitors next Monday following a three-week closure after a fire swept through the southern ridge, park officials announced Wednesday.
The blaze, which began June 2nd near Fire Lookout Tower 5, consumed approximately 800 acres of forest before being contained by state and federal firefighting crews. Park Superintendent Hays Morrison said the majority of the park's hiking trails and camping facilities escaped damage, though Tower 5 and the surrounding area will remain closed indefinitely, pending reconstruction efforts.
"We're grateful that no visitors were injured and that our firefighting crews were able to contain the blaze as quickly as they did," Morrison said during a press conference at park headquarters. "The community support has been overwhelming, and we thank all the local residents who offered assistance and kept our crews in their thoughts and prayers."
The park typically draws over 50,000 visitors annually, with peak season occurring during the summer months. Morrison estimated the closure has cost the local tourism economy approximately $75,000 in lost revenue.
The fire's cause remains under investigation by park service officials and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Morrison declined to speculate on what may have sparked the blaze, saying only that "all possibilities are being thoroughly examined."
Tower 5, built in 1934 as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps project, sustained significant structural damage and will require extensive repairs before it can be deemed safe for public access. The historic wooden structure served as both a fire watch station and popular hiking destination, offering panoramic views of the Mirror Vale wilderness.
Morrison confirmed that Justin Snider, 24, a temporary seasonal ranger was assigned to Tower 5. Snider, a University of Wisconsin forestry student from Madison, had been working at the tower since early May as part of a summer internship program. Officials stressed that Snider is not considered at fault for the fire's outbreak.
The reopened sections of Mirror Vale will include the main visitor center, ranger's station, picnic areas, the lower hiking trails, and primitive camping areas in the western portion of the park. The southern ridge area, including all trails leading to Tower 5, will remain closed pending completion of repairs and the ongoing investigation.
Morrison said the park service hopes to have the full preserve reopened by Labor Day, though he acknowledged that timeline may change depending on the investigation's findings and the extent of infrastructure damage. "Mirror Vale has been a treasured part of Wisconsin's natural heritage for generations," Morrison said. "We're committed to restoring it to its full beauty and ensuring it remains safe for all who visit."
Anyone with information regarding Justin Snider's whereabouts is asked to contact the Mirror Vale Park Service office immediately.