MEEKER, Colo. - Effective immediately, the Bureau of Land Management will temporarily close public lands and routes in Rio Blanco county within the area of the Red Canyon Fire to ensure public safety and reduce damage to the land.
The temporary closure only affects public lands and routes managed by the BLM White River field office. All motorized vehicle, mechanized vehicle and foot travel entry is restricted during this temporary closure and will remain in effect until the Red Canyon Fire is declared in control or the fire closure order is rescinded. The BLM will post closure signs at main entry points to this area. A map of the closure area is available at: https://go.usa.gov/xUADg.
“This emergency closure is for the protection of the public, firefighters and the land during this time of high firefighter activity and fire suppression efforts," said Kent Walter, Field Manager for the White River Field Office. “The BLM only closes public lands when it is absolutely necessary."
The closure area is further described as:
Those lands within Township 4S, Range 102W, Sections 12, 13, 24, 25 and those portions of
Section 36 east of highway 139
Township 4S, Range 101W, Sections
7,8,9,10,11,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34 and 35.
Any person who violates this closure may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned for up to 12 months, or both.
Exceptions to this closure include any federal, state or local officer or employee in the scope of their duties; members of any organized rescue or fire-fighting force in performance of an official duty; and any person authorized in writing by the BLM.
At this time, the Red Canyon Fire is not contained or controlled. The Red Canyon Fire started on July 29, 2018 by lightning strike, approximately 30 miles south of Rangely, Colorado.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
