San Juan opens tomorrow

Hiker

New Member
Here's an article......
DURANGO — A sprawling forest closed because of extreme fire danger in southwestern Colorado will reopen Thursday after getting steady rain.

An announcement from the San Juan National Forest Wednesday said that up to 1.5 inches of rain fell in some parts of the 2,800 square mile forest over two days, more than typically falls during an entire average June. Meteorologists and fire behavior experts say fire conditions have moderated, and they don’t expect them to return to extreme conditions before the expected arrival of summer monsoon season.

The rain, remnants of Hurricane Bud, put a damper on a wildfire that has burned 53 square miles north of Durango. Residents of over 2,000 evacuated homes have all been allowed back.

The forest closure started June 12.

https://www.aspentimes.com/news/san-juan-national-forest-to-reopen-after-steady-rainfall/
 

schl44

Member
Feb 21, 2014
51
1
Has Colorado or New Mexico ever closed hunting seasons due to dry conditions? I have heard rumors that they may ban the use of Atv's on public lands.
 

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
8,348
4,741
83
Dolores, Colorado
It has really dried out again with the hot temps returning. Both of the big fires (416 & Burro) added 10% a couple of days ago. Wouldn't surprise me to see some spot closures.
 

JimP

Administrator
Mar 28, 2016
7,316
8,696
72
Gypsum, Co
I haven't seen them close the forest to hunting but I have seen them close them to access. Usually when a fire goes through a area you have a lot of burnt trees around the roads and they are afraid that the trees will come down on them, not to mention erosion and rutted roads if it does storm. But even then they will allow hikers into the area, just no vehicles.

On closing down the forest to ATV's, most areas already do that. You have to stay on the roads and approved trails and not just head off cross country.