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All West Fork Fire-related closures are lifted

But some areas may still be dangerous

All forest closures related to the West Fork Complex fires were lifted Monday, two months after three lightning-caused wildfires scorched thousands of acres near Wolf Creek Pass.

But public-lands managers warned people that travel in the burned area may be hazardous. Conditions on the West Fork Trail, popular for access to Rainbow Hot Springs, are especially unsafe because of standing and downed trees, rolling debris and mud flows, according to a news release issued Monday by the Forest Service.

“We sent in a reconnaissance crew last week in an attempt to assess the extent of the damage, but they had to turn back 2½ miles up the trail because it was basically impassable,” said Paul Blackman, with the Pagosa recreation staff. “We are not recommending that the public attempt to use the West Fork Trail by foot or horseback at this time.”

The public should carefully weigh the added dangers of falling trees and flash floods before making the decision to enter these areas, the release said. Burned trees are very unstable, and entire trees or sections of trees can fall without warning. The danger is exacerbated during windy periods.

Given the loss of vegetation, rain does not sink into the ground as quickly, and the soil is erosion-prone. This increases the risk of flash floods and debris flows during high-intensity rain storms. Visitors should avoid narrow canyons during times of possible flash flooding and move up, not out of, canyons during flash floods.

Given the extremely hazardous conditions, the Pagosa Ranger District will defer efforts to clear and repair the trail until next summer, after conditions on the ground have become less volatile.

The West Fork Complex burned 109,615 acres, much of it beetle-killed spruce trees at high elevation. The town of South Fork was evacuated for more than a week, but no homes were lost. Wolf Creek Pass was closed for more than a week.

For more information, call the Pagosa Ranger District at 264-2268.

shane@durangoherald.com

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