Wild Fires

[BuckeyeDog]

Tring to remember. I think the last good rain fest goes back to 1999, where it rained every day. Rain, however, is preferable to snow.

[Tel Firefighter]

Just to try and add some clarity for where things stand as of Monday 6/11:

1) Telluride is not in the San Juan National Forest, it is in the Uncompahgre National Forest. This where it gets a bit confusing for some as the Lizard Head wilderness is in the San Juan NF so the line is essentially the Wilsons depending on which side you are standing on. Alta Lakes for example is NOT in the San Juan NF but the Umcompahgre NF.

2) San Juan NF is going to Stage 3 tomorrow, currently Stage 2. Uncompahgre is currently in Stage 1 ( yes that is Stage 1) and hopefully that will change this week to a Stage 2, in my opinion.

3) San Miguel County has issued a Stage 2 which applies to Private property in Unincorporated San Miguel County. Obviously that does not include the Towns of Telluride or Mountain Village

4) Mountain Village is currently at Stage 1. Telluride will after tomorrows Council meeting most likely announce an emergency ordinance putting the Town at Stage 2 which will have an effect on all visitors, especially those that smoke. It won't stop the Festival or other events but it does dictate behavior related to camping, smoking etc..

There is a bit of a mismatch of stage restrictions given that there are different entities charged with the management of lands in and around the Telluride and San Miguel area. The best advise is to assume Stage 2 within the immediate area around Telluride and Stage 3 once you get South to the County line / Trout Lake onward going to south for those that are not familiar with the county layout.

Note: All of this could change by the day so just keep up with the latest info at the San Miguel County Sheriff  Website as well as the National Forest Website for each Nat Forest area.

[Pass Port]

Just to try and add some clarity for where things stand as of Monday 6/11:

1) Telluride is not in the San Juan National Forest, it is in the Uncompahgre National Forest. This where it gets a bit confusing for some as the Lizard Head wilderness is in the San Juan NF so the line is essentially the Wilsons depending on which side you are standing on. Alta Lakes for example is NOT in the San Juan NF but the Umcompahgre NF.

2) San Juan NF is going to Stage 3 tomorrow, currently Stage 2. Uncompahgre is currently in Stage 1 ( yes that is Stage 1) and hopefully that will change this week to a Stage 2, in my opinion.

3) San Miguel County has issued a Stage 2 which applies to Private property in Unincorporated San Miguel County. Obviously that does not include the Towns of Telluride or Mountain Village

4) Mountain Village is currently at Stage 1. Telluride will after tomorrows Council meeting most likely announce an emergency ordinance putting the Town at Stage 2 which will have an effect on all visitors, especially those that smoke. It won't stop the Festival or other events but it does dictate behavior related to camping, smoking etc..

There is a bit of a mismatch of stage restrictions given that there are different entities charged with the management of lands in and around the Telluride and San Miguel area. The best advise is to assume Stage 2 within the immediate area around Telluride and Stage 3 once you get South to the County line / Trout Lake onward going to south for those that are not familiar with the county layout.

Note: All of this could change by the day so just keep up with the latest info at the San Miguel County Sheriff  Website as well as the National Forest Website for each Nat Forest area.

Thank for clearing this up for us Telluride firefighter! It is confusing if you don't live there, and I realized SJ district didn't quite go that far north. Also that the GMUG was at stage 1 but that lovely box canyon was at or going to stage 2. Glad you chimed in! 

[FaceOnMars]

Looks like the San Juans are moving to stage 3 fire restrictions on Tuesday. This is a total shut down of the National Forest.

 http://www.westernslopenow.com/news/local-news/entire-san-juan-national-forest-to-be-closed-to-public/1230848678

Cindy Lou or FoM, what are y'all hearing about this? Town Park campground is not in the forest, but wondering what this means for us.

Dustin, what's the word from the Planet?

I believe most of the USFS land that immediately surrounds the Telluride area is within the Uncompahgre NF, but if you look at a map, the San Juan NF is not that far away.   So, if you're up at Hope Lake you'd still be in Uncompahgre, but if you started to hike to the east, the saddle would be the boundary of San Juan.  Same goes for Ophir and Black Bear Passes (near the top) ... not sure if these roads will remain open on the eastern sides.  

Here's an interactive map:

https://www.fs.fed.us/ivm/index.html

[FaceOnMars]

Thanks TF for better explaining!  Are you aware of any restrictions for through traffic on Ophir / Black Bear passes?

[Tel Firefighter]

Not as of today to my knowledge but as with all of this things could change depending on conditions and the various entities setting stage restrictions for the land in their specific management areas.

[Bawndo]

We're planning to camp at Matterhorn.  Looks like that is not in the effected area as of now.  How is containment? 
Should we start looking for a plan B?

[SarahKolorado]

Is it true that Ilium is in the San Juan national forest? Will that campground be affected by the closure?

Thanks for any info. (I apologize if this was already discussed. I read the thread as thuroughly as I could but I’m on my phone and have a hard time navigating here on it)

[SarahKolorado]

Is it true that Ilium is in the San Juan national forest? Will that campground be affected by the closure?

Thanks for any info. (I apologize if this was already discussed. I read the thread as thuroughly as I could but I’m on my phone and have a hard time navigating here on it)

Just heard from a friend that just went to the office there that the campground is in restriction but will remain open. Hoping for rain and better conditions for firefighters. <3

[FaceOnMars]

Best I can tell from the San Juan County OEM twitter feed, Ophir Pass is open:

UPDATE FROM TOWN OF SILVERTON MEETING:
Although San Juan Forest is moving into Stage III Fire Restrictions, Ophir Pass CR 8 & the Brooklands/U.S. Basin Road CR 14 will remain open for through traffic only
South Mineral closed as well as all other San Juan National Forest Roads.

Here's a PDF from San Juan NF outlining closures:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd583247.pdf

I don't believe either Matterhorn or Illium are in the San Juan NF & both are probably open, but subject to county wide stage 2 restrictions:

https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=288&ARC=714

[VitaminX]

Fires should be much better after this weekend.  All the weather models I've seen are calling for 10% chance of rain by tomorrow night and up to a 90% chance of steady rain in Telluride by this Saturday.  Maybe even some rain during the festival if early forecasts are accurate.  I can't imagine any of the festival sponsored campgrounds being impacted as far as complete closures but if you are planning to camp somewhere else... I would be ready for a plan B and C. Here's a link to live webcams from the Durango area showing smoke from the fires.

http://kdvr.com/2018/06/11/watch-live-cameras-show-smoke-in-durango/

[FaceOnMars]

Fires should be much better after this weekend.  All the weather models I've seen are calling for 10% chance of rain by tomorrow night and up to a 90% chance of steady rain in Telluride by this Saturday.  Maybe even some rain during the festival if early forecasts are accurate.  I can't imagine any of the festival sponsored campgrounds being impacted as far as complete closures but if you are planning to camp somewhere else... I would be ready for a plan B and C. Here's a link to live webcams from the Durango area showing smoke from the fires.

http://kdvr.com/2018/06/11/watch-live-cameras-show-smoke-in-durango/

I hope the 90% chance for Sat is what nature delivers and will certainly route for rain, but I'm seeing 10-40% chance of rain into Friday/Saturday:

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.9382&lon=-107.8112#.WyANotVKiig

With the extreme nature of the current drought, it's possible that lighting with only a little rain is worse than no rain at all.

[alexbarbosa42]

Definitely spending this week practicing my rain dance. HURRICANE BUD SAVE US!

[alexbarbosa42]

Looks like the San Juans are moving to stage 3 fire restrictions on Tuesday. This is a total shut down of the National Forest.

 http://www.westernslopenow.com/news/local-news/entire-san-juan-national-forest-to-be-closed-to-public/1230848678

Cindy Lou or FoM, what are y'all hearing about this? Town Park campground is not in the forest, but wondering what this means for us.

Dustin, what's the word from the Planet?

I believe most of the USFS land that immediately surrounds the Telluride area is within the Uncompahgre NF, but if you look at a map, the San Juan NF is not that far away.   So, if you're up at Hope Lake you'd still be in Uncompahgre, but if you started to hike to the east, the saddle would be the boundary of San Juan.  Same goes for Ophir and Black Bear Passes (near the top) ... not sure if these roads will remain open on the eastern sides.  

Here's an interactive map:

https://www.fs.fed.us/ivm/index.html

Thanks for posting that link FoM. That's very helpful. Im planning on coming in this weekend to camp/hike before I camp at Lawson on Tuesday. Was a little unsure of where the boundaries of the SJNF were.

[VitaminX]

Fires should be much better after this weekend.  All the weather models I've seen are calling for 10% chance of rain by tomorrow night and up to a 90% chance of steady rain in Telluride by this Saturday.  Maybe even some rain during the festival if early forecasts are accurate.  I can't imagine any of the festival sponsored campgrounds being impacted as far as complete closures but if you are planning to camp somewhere else... I would be ready for a plan B and C. Here's a link to live webcams from the Durango area showing smoke from the fires.

http://kdvr.com/2018/06/11/watch-live-cameras-show-smoke-in-durango/

I hope the 90% chance for Sat is what nature delivers and will certainly route for rain, but I'm seeing 10-40% chance of rain into Friday/Saturday:

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.9382&lon=-107.8112#.WyANotVKiig

With the extreme nature of the current drought, it's possible that lighting with only a little rain is worse than no rain at all.

Yeah, there are quite a few models and predictions going right now.  I’m trying to keep it positive and go with the best I’m seeing at 90%.  That is through intellicast.com. 

Most importantly, let’s just hope it’s raining some good beer out of the Avery drafts at the festival.