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Leadville Ranger District Fire Danger & Restrictions

Closure

Safety brief

Updated

High fire danger today.

The Willow fire is 7,534 acres and 80% contained, though it is still growing. A closure is in effect for NFS lands south of Turquoise Lake in the Willow Fire area. Fire danger is high, and campfires are restricted to permanent metal or concrete pits in developed sites, or to gas stoves in cleared areas. Always check specific campground or district rules and the latest weather before your trip.

Restrictions

Campfires and Stoves

Equipment and Work

Shooting and Closures

Backcountry campfiresRestricted

Campfires allowed only in permanent metal/concrete fire pits at developed sites, or gas/liquid devices in cleared 3-ft area, or enclosed metal stove with 5-ft chimney in 10-ft cleared area. Willow Fire area closure prohibits entry.

Conditions

  • Stage 1: Allowed only in permanent metal/concrete fire pits at developed sites, or device solely fueled by liquid/gas turnable on/off in cleared 3-ft area, or fully enclosed metal stove with 5-ft chimney and ¼-inch mesh spark arrestor in 10-ft cleared area
  • Willow Fire closure area: entry prohibited

Exceptions

  • Permit FS-7700-48 holders
  • Federal, State, Local Officers and organized rescue/firefighting personnel in official duty
02-12-00-26-3702-12-01-26-36
Campground campfiresRestricted

Allowed in permanent metal/concrete fire pits at developed campgrounds and picnic areas under Stage 1.

Conditions

  • Must use permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate installed and maintained by USFS at developed recreation sites
02-12-00-26-37
Propane fuel and camp stovesRestricted

Allowed if device can be turned on/off in area cleared of flammable materials within 3 feet.

Conditions

  • Device must be solely fueled by liquid or gas and turnable on/off
  • Must be used in area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet of device
02-12-00-26-37
Welding and grindingRestricted

Welding and torch work allowed in cleared 10-ft area with fire extinguisher present.

Conditions

  • Must be in cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter
  • Chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with minimum 8 oz. capacity and Class 2A rating must be kept with operator
02-12-00-26-37
ExplosivesProhibited

Explosives prohibited.

Exceptions

  • Permit FS-7700-48 holders
  • Federal, State, Local Officers and organized rescue/firefighting personnel in official duty
02-12-00-26-37
Forest closures and access limitsRestricted

Willow Fire area closure: NFS lands south of Turquoise Lake from Section 13 T9S R81W to Lake County Road 4 and NFSR 105, east to tree line at Busk Creek switchback, following tree line to wilderness boundary near North Halfmoon TH, east to Main Mt. Massive Trailhead, continuing north side of Halfmoon Creek to forest boundary.

Conditions

  • Closed area: all NFS lands south of Turquoise Lake from western border of Section 13, T9S R81W to south of Lake County Road 4 and NFSR 105 (Hagerman Pass Road) to east side of Busk Creek, then east of tree line at Busk Creek-NFSR 105 switchback in Section 20, T9S R81W, south and east following tree line along eastern slope of Mount Massive to wilderness boundary near North Halfmoon TH, east to Main Mt. Massive Trailhead, continuing on north side of Halfmoon Creek to east boundary of forest
  • Affected trails: Mount Massive Trail #1487, Highline/Native Lake Trail #1489, Colorado Trail #1776 (Segment 11) at Mount Massive Trailhead

Exceptions

  • Permit FS-7700-48 holders
  • Federal, State, Local Officers and organized rescue/firefighting personnel in official duty
02-12-01-26-36

Restrictions last checked

Near-surface wildfire smoke forecast

Estimated AQI*

0max avg 0 µg/m³ around 5 AM

Good wildfire smoke

Next 24 hours

Forecast updated Sep 9, 2026, 6:59 PM

District average10th–90th percentile

* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading.

Hourly wildfire-smoke PM2.5 forecast across the district
Local timeDistrict averagep10p90Estimated AQI*Smoke category
Sep 9, 7:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 8:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 9:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 10:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 11:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 12:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 1:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 2:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 3:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 4:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 5:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 6:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 7:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 8:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 9:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 10:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 11:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 12:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 1:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 2:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 3:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 4:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 5:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 6:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke

* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading. HRRR forecasts near-ground smoke; district values are area-weighted, conditions vary by location, and other pollution sources are not included.

Check current observed air quality on AirNow (opens in a new tab)

Recent changes

30-day fire danger history

Last 30 days

Changed from Very High to High on Aug 12.

Open official source

Ratings and restrictions are collected from official source pages and may lag agency updates. Always confirm current fire restrictions, closures, evacuation notices, and emergency guidance with the responsible agency before starting a trip.

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