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BLM rescinds Temporary Closure Order on Animas City Mountain

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tres Rios Field Office rescinds the Temporary Closure Order at 11:59 PM on May 16, 2023, that was in place for public safety during the Animas City Mountain Prescribed Burn. 

The BLM conducted a controlled burn on 494 acres of Ponderosa pine and Gambel oak within the Animas City Mountain project area in Durango, CO on May 8th through the 12th. This Type 1 Prescribed Burn required a brief closure of Animas City Mountain trailheads and access points to ensure public and firefighter safety. The BLM used designated trails as containment lines. The two northernmost units were not part of this spring burn to protect nesting peregrine falcons,

“Firefighters suppressed fire activity along the outer perimeter from last Fridays prescribed burn. The public should be aware that they are entering a prescribed burn area that could have possible hazards for their family and dogs, especially off trails,” said Tres Rios Field Manager Derek Padilla. “These hazards will reduce daily as smoldering vegetation burn out and the project area receives moisture. We appreciated the community’s patience during this project to increase fire resiliency in southwest Colorado.”

Possible hazards one could encounter when entering a recent prescribed burn area are smoky conditions, ash pits, walking hazards, smoldering vegetation, and fire weakened trees that could fall over. The interior area of the burn unit will continue to have these hazards until fuels burn out and cool off. Please do not report any smoke seen inside the burn unit. Fire resources have suppressed fire activity along the perimeter approximately 132 feet or more inward from the edge and will allow the interior to go out on its own. It’s advised to remain on trails to provide for your safety as well as your family and pets.

This project was funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).  Fuels treatments are part of the BLM’s ongoing commitment to protect human health and safety while maintaining or enhancing forest and woodland health and functionality. The BLM’s success on this project was due to the close coordination with federal, county, and local government partners, as well as non-governmental organizations, emergency managers, fire departments, public health officials, and state smoke regulators.

For information on the Animas City Mountain prescribed fire treatment, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/news/7852/. Follow on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnit and Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWD_Fire.