San Juan National Forest Reopening

The US Forest Service says it will reopen the San Juan National Forest

It was closed just over a week ago on June 12th. The Forest Service shut down the 1.8 million acre San Juan National Forest because of the continued fire danger. It was the first time ever to shut down the forest. With Colorado locked in one of the worst droughts in years it seemed the forest may be closed for weeks, or perhaps months, but no, the San Juan National Forest is back in business.

The decision to close the forest was mainly because of the two active fires burning in the region. The 416 and Burro fires which charred parts of the San Juan National Forest not far from the communities of Durango and Dolores. The region did get some much-needed rain over the weekend but many believe it wasn't enough to warrant reopening the forest. Agree or not, its open but remains under the Stage 2 fire restriction.

STAGE II Means the following acts are prohibited until further notice:

1- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, coal or wood burning stove, any type of charcoal fueled broiler or open fire of any type.

2- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.

3- Using explosive material (fireworks, blasting caps or any incendiary device which may result in the ignition of flammable material)

4- Welding, or operating an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame.

5- Operating or using any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either:

6- Operating a chainsaw without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher

For a detailed description of Stage I, II, & III Restrictions click HERE.

Credit: The Durango Herald