DENVER – The San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado will reopen this week. The forest has been closed since June 12 because of extremely high fire danger and two large fires burning in the area.
Forestry officials announced on Wednesday that the majority of the forest will reopen to the public on Thursday, June 21 at 3 p.m. The portions of forest surrounding the 416 and Burro fires will remain closed as firefighters continue to work on those fires.
As of Wednesday morning, the 416 Fire was slightly more than 34,000 acres in size and 35 percent contained. The Burro Fire is 3,715 acres and 53 percent contained.
Forestry officials said they’re able to reopen the San Juan National Forest because the region received about 1.5 inches of rain in some areas over the weekend, providing some much-needed relief and reducing fire danger.
However, with warm, dry conditions expected to continue over the next few days, the risk of fire hasn’t been eliminated.
The reopened areas of forest will remain under “stage 2” fire restrictions, meaning no campfires, smoking, fireworks or shooting guns will be allowed until further notice.