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BLM Colorado reopens public lands north of Highway 141 near Gateway

Colorado
Upper Colorado River DO
Media Contact
BLM Office:
Grand Junction Field Office

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Wednesday, the Bureau of Land Management issued a public land closure order to reopen some public lands in Mesa County that were closed because of the Wright Draw Fire. BLM issued an emergency closure to keep the public and firefighters safe while fire crews continue work on controlling the fires and restoring the area afterward.

The modified order reopens the BLM-managed public lands north of Highway 141 and east of the Palisade that were closed under previous orders.

The areas described below will remain closed until fire managers declare the Turner Gulch Fire is controlled or BLM rescinds the order.

Areas still closed

All connecting BLM lands in the vicinity of Unaweep Canyon that are south and east of Highway 141 from the town of Gateway to Divide Road, as bounded by private land, the boundary of Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, and a line extending east from the town of Gateway to the National Forest boundary, remain closed. Please see the map below for detailed locations.

Exemptions

All public access to these lands is prohibited, with specific exemptions for:

  • Federal, state, and local officers and employees in the performance of their official duties
  • Members of organized rescue or fire-fighting forces in the performance of their official duties
  • People with written authorization from the BLM

Violations of this emergency order may lead to prosecution, with fines and possible imprisonment. Additional details are available on the Upper Colorado River District Fire Restrictions webpage. 

We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize safety and resource integrity during this critical time. For further information, please contact the Grand Junction Field Office Front Desk at 970-244-3000.

Map of modified public land closure for Wright Draw and Turner Gulch Fires
Map of modified public lands closure for Wright Draw and Turner Gulch Fires near Gateway, Colorado.
Related Files

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.