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San Carlos Ranger District Fire Danger & Restrictions

Closure

Safety brief

Updated

High fire danger today.

The Aspen Acres fire is 102,004 acres and 82% contained, with a trend of growing but more contained. Fire danger is high, and area closures are in effect east of NFSR 369 to CO Hwy 165, and east/south of CO Hwy 96. Campfires are allowed only in permanent metal/concrete fire pits at developed sites, or with approved stoves in cleared areas. Always check specific campground status 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. Aspen Acres 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
  • Aspen Acres Fire closure area: entry prohibited

Exceptions

  • Permit FS-7700-48 holders
  • Federal, State, Local Officers and organized rescue/firefighting personnel in official duty
02-12-03-26-3802-12-00-26-37
Campground campfiresRestricted

Allowed in permanent metal/concrete fire pits at developed campgrounds and picnic areas under Stage 1. Specific campgrounds in Aspen Acres closure area remain open.

Conditions

  • Must use permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate installed and maintained by USFS at developed recreation sites
  • Ophir Creek Campground, La Vista Campground, South Side Campground remain open in Aspen Acres area
02-12-03-26-3802-12-00-26-37
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

Aspen Acres Fire area closure: NFS lands, roads, trails closed east of NFSR 369 to CO Hwy 165 from NFSR 360 south to Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness, and east of CO Hwy 165 to district boundary, and east/south of CO Hwy 96. Specific roads and recreation sites remain open.

Conditions

  • Closed area: east of NFSR 369 to CO State Highway 165 from NFSR 360 south to Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness boundary; east of CO State Highway 165 to district boundary from NFSR 386 south to CO State Highway 165; east and south of CO State Highway 96 and east of Pueblo County/Custer County Road 387 to district boundary
  • Open: NFSR 360, 361, 369, 383 to Mingus Ranch Cabin, Mingus Ranch Cabin, Ophir Creek Campground, NFSR 371 around Lake Isabel, La Vista Campground, South Side Campground, Lake Isabel Cabin, Lake Isabel parking areas

Exceptions

  • Permit FS-7700-48 holders
  • Federal, State, Local Officers and organized rescue/firefighting personnel in official duty
02-12-03-26-38

Restrictions last checked

Near-surface wildfire smoke forecast

Estimated AQI*

1max avg 0.1 µg/m³ around 8 PM

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 PM0.1 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.2 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈1Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 8:00 PM0.1 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.3 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈1Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 9:00 PM0.1 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.2 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈1Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 10:00 PM0.1 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.2 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈1Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 11:00 PM0.1 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.3 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈1Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 12:00 AM0.1 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.2 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈1Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 1:00 AM0.1 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈1Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 2:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 3:00 AM0.1 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈1Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 4:00 AM0.1 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.2 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈1Good 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/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 8:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 9:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 10:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 11:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 12:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 1:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 2:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 3:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 4:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 5:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 6:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0.1 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 Moderate to High on Aug 27.

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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