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(Gunnison, CO, July 15, 2026)—For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests’ Gunnison Ranger District has expanded the closure area in the vicinity of the Elk Wildfire effective July 15 at noon.
The expanded closure area includes National Forest System lands west of Highway 149 in Hinsdale and Gunnison counties. Within National Forest System lands, the western boundary follows the line between the Ouray Ranger District and the Gunnison Ranger District on the Uncompahgre National Forest. The northern, eastern and southern boundaries follow the National Forest boundary.
The closure restricts public access to all lands, roads and trails within the described area (see map), including but not limited to:
Trailheads and Sites
Big Blue Trailhead, Big Blue Campground, Alpine Ranger Station, Uncompahgre Peak, Alpine Trailhead, Alpine/Little Cimarron Trailhead, Big Blue Campground, Big Blue Trailhead, Crystal Larson Trailhead, Fall Creek Trailhead, Independence Trailhead, Little Elk Trailhead, and Nellie Creek Trailhead.
Roads
7236 Crystal-Larson, 7867 Alpine Plateau, 7867.2A West Fork, 7867.2C Ridgestock, 7867.3A Little Blue, 7867.3B Willow Creek, 7867.3C Long Draw, 7867.3H Alpine Plateau Spur 3H, 7867.3J Alpine Plateau Spur 3J, 7867.4A Long Draw Camping Road, 7868 Alpine, 7868 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 2A, 7868.1E Big Blue CG Road, 7877 Nellie Creek, 864 Little Cimarron, 864.4A Little Cimarron Trailhead Road, 864.4C Johnson Park, 864.4C1 Johnson Park Spur 1, 864.C5 Little Cimarron Spur C5, 870 North Fork Henson Creek, and 870.2A Matterhorn Creek.
Trails
High Mesa (6133), Matterhorn (6135), Middle Canyon (6136), Alpine (6225), Wetterhorn Basin (6226), Little Cimarron (6229), Failes Creek (6230), Big Park (6234), Firebox (6245), Little Cimarron East (6246), Sheep Mountain (6253), Saddle (9140), Alpine (9225), Alpine Guard Station Spur (9225.1A), Fall Creek (9231), Big Blue Creek (9232), Ridge Stock Driveway (9233), Ridge Stock Driveway Spur (9233.1B), Independence Gulch (9234), Independence Bypass (9234.1A), Crystal Lake (9235), View (9235.1A), Larson Lakes (9236), Larson Lakes Cutoff (9236.3A), El Paso Creek (9238), Uncompahgre Peak (9239), Thompson Lake (9241), Matterhorn TH Spur (9242), Little Elk (9244), Matterhorn Cutoff (9245), and Wetterhorn Peak (9256).
A map of the area and full order details can be found here.
A violation of this closure order is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
The GMUG National Forests are currently under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.
Fore more information about the Elk Wildfire visit the official GMUG Facebook or contact the Elk Fire information line at (970) 299-5357.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology—and rooted in communities—the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with Tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
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