GMUG National Forests Reduce Elk Fire Closure Area

(Gunnison, CO, July 28, 2026)—The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests’ Gunnison Ranger District has reduced the closure area in the vicinity of the Elk Wildfire effective July 29 at 12:01 a.m.

The adjusted 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, Alpine Trailhead, Alpine/Little Cimarron Trailhead, Big Blue Campground, Big Blue Trailhead, Crystal Larson Trailhead, Fall Creek Trailhead, Independence Trailhead and Little Elk Trailhead.

On the southern end of the closure area, Nellie Creek Road – National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 7877, Nellie Creek Trailhead, Uncompahgre Peak Trail – National Forest System Trail (NFST) 9239 and Uncompahgre Peak will remain open to visitors.

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, 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), Thompson Lake (9241), Matterhorn TH Spur (9242), Little Elk (9244), Matterhorn Cutoff (9245) and Wetterhorn Peak (9256).

These closures are necessary to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public while crews continue managing the Elk Wildfire.

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.

For more information about the Elk Wildfire, visit the incident Facebook page or the official GMUG Facebook page.

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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