BLM Gunnison Field Office reduces Elk Fire emergency closure area
GUNNISON, Colo. – Progress on the Elk Fire has allowed the Bureau of Land Management to reduce the emergency closure area on public lands in Gunnison and Hinsdale counties.
Effective July 29, the BLM Gunnison Field Office will rescind a previous Elk Fire closure order and reopen areas that are no longer needed for fire management. A smaller closure will remain in place to support ongoing operations and rehabilitation work and to help protect the public and firefighters. The closure will remain in effect until further notice.
The remaining closure includes BLM-administered public lands west of Colorado State Highway 149, including the Independence Gulch Trailhead, as well as public lands between Hinsdale County Road 20 and the U.S. Forest Service boundary. The closure begins at, but does not include, Nellie Creek Road, follows County Road 20 west to County Road 24 at Capitol City, and continues northwest along County Road 24 to the U.S. Forest Service boundary. A map is available for visual reference.
The area is also subject to other closures and restrictions currently in place. Public entry and use are prohibited until further notice.
For specific closure boundaries, maps and current fire information, visit Colorado’s Southwest District Fire Management website at https://ow.ly/wjpK50ZitFU.
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.