Even months after the Cameron Peak Fire's full containment, some of Colorado's forests are still closed to the public. However some areas reopened this week, the U.S. Forest Service said in a release on February 19.

The Cameron Peak Fire, Colorado's largest wildfire in history, burned over 200,000 acres between August 13, 2020, and December 2, 2020. The 111-day wildfire destroyed hundreds of structures, including homes and historic sites, in addition to charring hundreds of thousands of acres of forest in Colorado, much of which was used for recreation purposes by Coloradans and tourists alike.

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The forest damage was so severe that even over two months since Cameron Peak Fire's full containment, the U.S. Forest Service is still slowly reopening access to the public in recreational areas near Fort Collins.

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'The Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest is happy to announce a few more areas impacted by the Cameron Peak Fire have reopened for winter recreation,' the U.S. Forest Service said. 'Newly opened areas include the Lower Dadd Gulch Trail, Chambers Lake and Access Road, Long Draw Road, Long Draw Reservoir, the Neota Wilderness and the Joe Wright Ski Trail.'

However, the U.S. Forest Service also said that 'most areas impacted by the fire remain closed for safety and natural resource protection.' Bridge infrastructure and safety signs have been damaged, making some areas unsafe to access. You can see a map of closed areas here.

Some areas, the U.S. Forest Service said, won't even be accessible for evaluation until the snow melts, which could be some time. You can read the full release here.

2020 Cameron Peak Fire

 

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