Photo: Mesa Verde

The back side pass in Mesa Verde National Park, CO. The forest was destroyed by lightning years prior. On July 15, 2003 at approximately 5:30 pm a dry thunderstorm cell passed over Mesa Verde with multiple lightning strikes. Due to extreme drought conditions, fuel moisture and record breaking high temperatures, a series of small fires erupted along southern ridgetops in the park and on Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation. By Wednesday morning an estimated 400 acres were burning. Park visitors and employees were evacuated by 7:30 p.m.