BLM Colorado updates public land closure in Mesa County for firefighting activities

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Today, the Bureau of Land Management issued a public land closure notice that modifies a previous closure in Mesa County because of the Turner Gulch and Wright Draw fires. BLM issued the emergency closure to keep the public and firefighters safe while fire crews work on controlling the fires and restoring the area afterward. The areas described below will remain closed until fire managers declare the fires are controlled or BLM rescinds the order.

Closure Areas

This closure affects all connecting BLM lands in the vicinity of Unaweep Canyon that are east of the Palisade to the north of Highway 141 near Fish Creek. It also closes BLM lands 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. 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 and a closure map is 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.