Closures lifted in GMU 71 following containment of Stoner Mesa Fire
John LivingstonSouthwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / [email protected]
@CPW_SW Closures lifted in GMU 71 following containment of Stoner Mesa Fire
RICO, Colo. – The U.S. Forest Service has lifted closures to public lands previously impacted by the Stoner Mesa Fire.
The San Juan National Forest reopened access to Taylor Mesa effective Wednesday, Oct. 8. Access to Stoner Mesa road and trail systems reopened Friday, Oct. 10.
The closures previously impacted access for archery, muzzleloader and rifle bear hunters in Game Management Unit 71. These areas are now reopened ahead of upcoming big-game rifle seasons.
“We really appreciate the hunting community that respected these critical closures and allowed fire crews to safely work in the area,” said CPW District Wildlife Manager Matt Sturdevant. “We realize these are popular hunting areas, but a lot of good country in the unit was still accessible during the closures. It is because of the hard work of all the personnel working this fire that these closures are now being rescinded, and we thank everyone involved in helping contain the fire.”
Fire crews and heavy equipment remain on the fire to complete suppression and fire line rehabilitation. Visitors should expect the sounds of equipment in the area, which may disrupt hunting operations.
The Stoner Mesa Fire burned 10,249 acres in Montezuma and Dolores counties northeast of Stoner and southwest of Rico. With a cooler weather pattern that has included precipitation throughout the last month, fire crews have successfully contained the fire.
However, with heavy rains in the area, hunters are still advised to be aware of potentially dangerous conditions downhill and downstream from burned areas, which can be susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows. This is especially prominent in steep terrain.
CPW encourages all hunters to be aware of current and changing conditions across the state. CPW recently updated the Colorado Hunting Atlas that provides information on active wildfires and access to hunting units.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
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