Waldo Canyon Burn Area Closure

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service 

Pike-San Isabel National Forests &

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

Pikes Peak Ranger District

Waldo Canyon Burn Area 

Occupancy and Use Prohibitions 

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trail in the Waldo Canyon Burn Area on the Pikes Peak Ranger District, Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area,” “Described Roads,” and “Described Trail”):

1. Being on the Described Trail.  36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a)
2. Camping in the Described Area.  36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e)
3. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire in the Described Area.   36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a)
4. Using any type of motor vehicle on the Described Roads. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(a)

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order, specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS, AND TRAIL

The Described Area is further defined as the NFS lands north of U.S. Highway 24 in El Paso County, Colorado, within the following boundaries: beginning at the western edge of the NFS Boundary in Section 5, Township 13 South, Range 68 West, 6th P.M. then east following NFS Road (NFSR) 300 M to its junction with NFSR 300 and then across NFSR 300 and continuing south of NFSR 306 across the Rampart Reservoir dam, then east to the private property boundary in Section 25, then south along the same private property to Monument Creek, then east along the southern edge of Monument Creek to the eastern edge of the NFS Boundary at the northwest corner of Section 33 and south along the eastern NFS Boundary and then west along the NFS Boundary, and ending at the western edge of the NFS Boundary in Section 5.

The Described Roads are NFSR 300.M, 955, 305, 300.N, 956, 300.S, 957, 300.P, 300.Q, 987, and 988. The Described Trail is NFS Trail 640, Waldo Canyon Trail.                                                                                           

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety due to impacts of the Waldo Canyon fire.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from July 9, 2024, at 12:01 AM through June 30, 2029, at 11:59 PM, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area, Roads, and Trail is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov).
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Pikes Peak Ranger District in Colorado Springs, Colorado, (719) 636-1602, and the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Pueblo, Colorado, (719) 553-1400, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area or on the same Described Roads and Trail.

Signed and issued on 7/9/2024

/s/ Ryan Nehl

Forest and Grassland Supervisor

Pike-San Isabel National Forests &

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands