The closure for the 416 Fire is changing

The burned area is extremely hazardous and is closed to all public entry. Effective Friday, Aug. 24, the closure area for the 416 Fire will shrink to allow public access to areas around the fire.  The burned area of the 416 Fire is still closed to all public entry.  Hazards are abundant within the fire perimeter; areas are still burning, dead and burned trees are falling, trails are washing out and debris flows are continuing.

The 416 Fire started June 1, and has been burning all summer.  The burned area perimeter is mostly within the Hermosa Creek watershed and west of U.S. Highway 550 and is generally bounded on the south side by the Junction Creek Road (NFSR 171) north to and including the Lower Hermosa Road (NFSR 576), then west of, but excluding, the Elbert Creek Road (NFSR 581) and west of the Purgatory Ski Area boundary on the east side of the closure area. Generally bounded on the north by, but excluding, the Hermosa Park Road (NFSR 578) and Hotel Draw Road (NFSR 550) to its intersection with the Scotch Creek Road (NFSR 550.1). Generally bounded on the west and south sides by the Hermosa Creek watershed, excluding the Divide Road (NFSR 564) and Colorado Trail (NFST 520, 553 and 622) for their entirety.

The Junction Creek, Goulding and Elbert Creek roads are now open as are many segments of trails. The main stem of the Hermosa Creek Trail and the Hermosa road and campground are still closed as are many of the trails that are accessed by these roads.  The Upper Dutch Creek and Castle Rock trails are now open, but Clear Creek trail and Jones Creek trail remain closed.  The following is a description and a map of the roads and trails that are closed.

The following trails are closed to all public entry:

• Any portion of the Hermosa Creek Trail (NFST 514) beyond 3.5 miles south of the Upper Hermosa Trailhead south to its terminus at the Lower Hermosa Trailhead;
• Dutch Creek Trail (NFST 516) beyond 2.2 miles west of the Pinkerton-Flagstaff Trail (NFST 522) west to its terminus at the Hermosa Creek Trail;
• Pinkerton-Flagstaff Trail (NFST 522) beyond 0.4 miles south of its intersection with Dutch Creek Trail south to its terminus at the Mitchell Lakes Road;
• Jones Creek Trail (NFST 518) in its entirety;
• Goulding Creek Trail (NFST 517) in its entirety;
• Little Elk Creek Trail (NFST 515) beyond 1.8 miles west of the Elbert Creek Road trailhead west to its terminus at the Hermosa Creek Trail;
• Big Lick Trail (NFST 499) beyond 1.6 miles west of the Elbert Creek Road trailhead west to its terminus at the Hermosa Creek Trail;
• Clear Creek Trail (NFST 550) in its entirety;
• South Fork Trail (NFST 549), Neglected Trail (NFST 547) beyond 4.8 miles east of the Colorado Trail (NFST 520) east to its terminus at the South Fork Trail;
• Salt Creek Trail (NFST 559) beyond 3.1 miles east of the Colorado Trail east to its terminus at the Hermosa Creek Trail;
• Big Bend Trail (NFST 519) 2.7 miles east of the Colorado Trail east to its terminus at the Hermosa Creek Trail.

The closure area is defined by the fire perimeter or the black line of the fire and all burned areas are closed to entry.

For more information, call the Columbine District Office 970-884-2512

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