From the Introduction ... 'The primary objective of the present fire research study at Rocky Mountain National Park is to determine the long-term effects of fires of differing intensities on vegetation establishment and succession within the park and high altitude areas of adjacent national forests. The study involves three areas of concentration as follows: (1) natural fire history; (2) field sampling, on old fire sites, and (3) active fire studies....The areas selected for study were limited to the east site of the Park, involving primarily the Big Thompson River drainage system. Elevations ranged from 8,800 ft. to upper treeline (10,800-11,500 ft.) in what is primarily the spruce (Picea engelmannii) - fir (Abies lasiocarpa) zone. At the lower elevations are occasional stands of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is found in mixture with both ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta latifolia).Pure stands of lodgepole pine are found well up into the spruce-fir zone. Scattered patches of aspen (Populus tremuloides) on moist sites and stands of limber pine (Pinus flexilis) on drier sites are also found.'