SAN LUIS VALLEY– The Divide Ranger District announced today plans for hazard mitigation work in several campgrounds on the district. Contract work will start as early as Thursday, Sept. 10 and is anticipated to be completed by the end of the month. Temporary closures of portions of the campgrounds are expected.

“We continually monitor the hazard tree situation in our campgrounds and feel the time is right to address these safety concerns,” said Jody Fairchild, recreation staff officer for the Divide Ranger District. “Long term tree mortality on the district presents an ongoing challenge to provide for safety in our developed recreation sites.”

Campgrounds use has slowed for the season and no concessionaires are on-site. Public access will remain open, but some intermittently closures will be necessary to ensure public safety. The affected areas will be posted accordingly. Watch the Rio Grande National Forest’s Facebook page for updates.

The following campgrounds will have both felling and chipping operations:
Thirty Mile - The trailhead will still be accessible, provided the area is deemed safe.

River Hill

Bristol head

Chipping of previously felled trees will occur in:
Palisade
Cathedral

Large logs behind left behind and the Divide Ranger District would like to a remind everyone that fuelwood is not to be gathered from developed recreation sites such as campgrounds or picnic areas. Opportunities to open some of these areas for fuelwood collection will be evaluated after the felling/chipping operations have been completed.

For more information, please contact the Divide Ranger District at 719-850-2374.