Smoke rises from the East Troublesome fire late Wednesday, among several wildfires raging in Colorado, just before it exploed to 170,000 acres on Thursday..
Extreme and record wildfire activity in Colorado has prompted the Royal Gorge Field Office to temporarily close the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in Boulder and Larimer counties.
“This unusual step is being taken due to concerns for public safety and to aid ongoing fire suppression operations,” said Royal Gorge Field Manager Keith Berger. “We hope that this action is short-lived, and we intend to rescind these restrictions as soon as possible.”
The closure order prohibits anyone from entering BLM-administered lands in Boulder and Larimer counties unless escorted by an authorized BLM official. The following persons are exempt from this order:
- Any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- Individuals conducting previously authorized operations under 43 CFR 3809
- Land Use Authorization Holders who are authorized to use public lands under an active BLM right-of-way grant, lease, or permit.
- Grazing Permittees who are authorized to conduct grazing administration under an active BLM grazing permit or lease.
- Persons conducting normal activities pertaining to the operation, maintenance, and safety, related to continued operations and previously approved activities per 43 CFR 3160 and 43 CFR 3170 regulations.
The Fire Order will be in place until Nov. 3 unless rescinded earlier. In addition to criminal penalties, those found responsible for starting wildfires may also face restitution costs of suppressing the fire.
The Royal Gorge Field Office, including Chaffee County, is currently under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions for lands not covered by this order. For more information about current fire restrictions in the Royal Gorge Field Office, please visit the Rocky Mountain District Fire Restrictions page [2] or call the Royal Gorge Field Office at (719) 269-8500.
The Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland also has fire restrictions and closures in place. For more information visit their website [3] or call the Forest Supervisor’s office at (970) 295-6600.
Hunters impacted by these closures should visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website [4].
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