Community Boat Launch and Gypsum Campground to open after Duck Pond Fire
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GYPSUM, Colo. – The Colorado River Valley Field Office has some good news following the Duck Pond Fire in Eagle County. The BLM will open the Community Boat Ramp May 13, and the Gypsum Campground May 16. Visitors will see evidence of the fire. Recent high winds blew down hazardous trees near the boat ramp, which allowed the BLM to open river access sooner than expected. The Day Use Area will remain closed until several large cottonwood trees damaged in the fire can be removed. These trees are unstable and could fall without warning.
“The recent winds demonstrated how these fire-stricken trees can be a hazard,” stated Acting Field Manager Ben Gruber. “While the closure is in still in place for areas outside of the boat ramp and campground, the public should stay alert while in the area, especially during high winds. We are working diligently to quickly re-open the entire area to recreational use.”
The Community River Boat Access and Gypsum Campground are excluded in the closure. All other burned lands within the Duck Pond Fire will remain closed while the BLM assesses and mitigates hazards. The updated closure order and map can be found at https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/docs/2022-05/Duck_Pond_Closure_Order_w_Map_051322.pdf. The bike path, managed by Eagle County, still remains open for public use but the public are asked to not leave the paved path within the burn area.
The BLM manages more than 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.